Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Jack White and the Masonic Bench

From Hailey Bollinger's 4-22-20 CityBeat article entitled "Jack White Reupholsters Masonic Bench as Gift to The Lodge's Masonic Sounds Studio in Dayton, Kentucky":

You're most likely familiar with Garage Rocker Jack White and his singular voice from his leading role in well-known bands The White Stripes and The Raconteurs. And while his musical career may be what introduced you to the man of many talents, you'll be pleased to discover (if you haven't already) he's also a master upholsterer. 

One of White's most recent projects is a vintage masonic bench, which he restored — and added a bit of creative flair to in the form of a built-in amplifier — as a gift to Johnny Wirick's Masonic Sounds Studio inside of Dayton, Kentucky's The Lodge, a century-old Masonic Lodge that has been renovated into a bustling arts hub over the past decade. 

We chatted with Wirick via email to learn about his relationship with White and more about the one-of-a-kind bench. 

Wirick, a Punk Blues Rock guitarist who also goes by the name Johnny Walker, is a member of The Soledad Brothers and most recently the All-Seeing Eyes (among many other bands). He met White while playing in dive clubs throughout Toledo and Detroit and the two connected through music — practicing guitar and teaching each other, experimenting with recording, seeing bands play [...].

According to Wirick, the Masonic bench that was used in White's gift to him was a surprise over a year in the making. Wirick says the bench was from a Blue Lodge (a certain type of Masonic lodge) and was originally found with blue material.

"It holds all kinds of secrets that I can't tell you about. Some I probably don't know myself," Wirick says. 

To read the entire article, click HERE.

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