American Dreamers: 50 Years of Taylor Guitars
An oral history podcast series featuring co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug explores the ups, downs and unexpected thrills of building Taylor Guitars from a
small shop into a world-leading manufacturer and musical innovator.
Listen below or wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
Episode 3: 80s Rock
Air date: April 29, 2024
After a tumultuous start and some early setbacks, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug persevered into the '80s—a decade in which the music scene was not particularly friendly to acoustic guitars. As the acoustic market languished, Bob and Kurt found ways to keep their fledgling operation on its feet and growing, seizing unexpected opportunities to support the business when conditions were less than ideal. But it wasn't all cloudy skies. As Bob and Kurt discuss in the third episode of our oral history podcast, Taylor began making guitars for artists, building guitar cases in house, Bob introduced the Grand Concert model, and the company reached a milestone with its first million-dollar year.
Listen or watch our second episode today!
Episode 2: The Early Days
Air date: March 28, 2024
In the second episode of our oral history podcast, Taylor Guitars co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug dive into the challenges they experienced in the first years of the company's existence. Though they faced financial obstacles, long night shifts and literal floods, there were also successes to celebrate, like signing their first distribution deal and seeing their guitars in the hands of household names like Neil Young. Bob and Kurt recount the lessons they took away from those difficult days as well as the early wins that helped them build momentum as manufacturers of quality guitars and forge a foundation on which the company could grow.
Listen or watch our second episode today!
Episode 1: The Road to the American Dream
Air date: March 13, 2024
In the first episode of this oral history podcast, Taylor Guitars co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug reminisce about growing up in San Diego, California, their passion for music and making things, and how their paths first crossed at the hippie-vibed American Dream guitar shop. Bob recalls his obsession with building guitars as a teenager, and he and Kurt reveal the foundation of their successful and enduring partnership, which began when Bob was just 19 and Kurt was 21.
Listen or watch our first episode today!