In the spring of 1968 J.W. Gallagher and Mike Longworth met for the first time in Chattanooga Tennessee. That meeting resulted in a life long friendship between these two talented men.

Mike went to work for the Martin Guitar Co. the summer of 1968. He helped to resurrect the legendary D-45, designed the popular D-42, answered thousands of letters from Martin owners and wrote the first reference book on Martin guitars. Mike retired from Martin in 1995 after almost 30 years of service.

J.W. Gallagher had opened a woodworking shop in Wartrace in 1939 making furniture. In the early 60’s he began making guitars. In 1965 he founded Gallagher Guitar Co. His instruments achieved an international reputation for their craftsmanship.

A mutual respect for each other’s work caused these two men to become good friends. Mike would spend time each summer on vacation visiting his friend at Wartrace. They kept in close contact thru out the year by phone and by the occasional meetings at music festivals.

In June of 1979 J. W. Gallagher passed away at the age of 64. In January of 2003 at the age of 64 Mike passed away. At Mike’s request he was buried next to his good friend "J.W." at the Hollywood Cemetery in Wartrace.

Both "J.W." and Mike loved people and so it is fitting that the artist hospitality room is dedicated to their memory.