These notables in their own respective spaces are either Artists, Writers, Producers & Guitarists who either own, play or have had a Voyage Air on their tour bus. Regardless, they are not endorsers rather ones who know the value of the original folding guitar, Voyage Air.

Eric Clemenzi

Kangaralien is a really stupid name for a band. I mean, uhh . . . *ahem* . . . Kangaralien is a Boston-based acoustic guitar duo. That their music calls to mind traces of progressive rock bands like Rush and Porcupine Tree shouldn’t be surprising, as its two members, Eric Clemenzi and Steve Belleville, met playing in a Dream Theater tribute band. But more than a passing listen displays a range of influences including bluegrass, jazz, and classical. If you sit close enough to your speakers, you may even hear the faint smells of a kangaroo thinking of a spaceship.

Since their formation in 2004, Kangaralien has released two full-length albums; their self-titled debut in 2006 and its follow-up, Inspired by Humans, in 2009. They’ve supported these recordings by playing at all types of venues. No, really; rock clubs, restaurants, apple orchards, ice cream parlors, libraries . . . you name it. As a duo, Kangaralien plays concerts, visits schools, and sets up clinics for aspiring musicians. As individuals, Eric hones the craft of the brain-melting guitar solo and still finds time to be a dad and teach 80 students every week. Steve finds time to do less and less as his gigging schedule and Wii Bowling schedule become increasingly demanding.

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Peter Mayer

To describe Peter Mayer simply as the guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band is reductive at best and an understatement at most. Though he’s toured and recorded with Buffett since 1988, his eclectic and inspiring talent as a singer, songwriter and vocalist have produced an impressive and criminally overshadowed catalog of solo albums and material recorded under his own name, The Peter Mayer Group, and with his brother Jim in the band PM.

The Peter Mayer Group’s eclectic style and influence can be traced back to his childhood in India where his parents worked as missionaries and Peter soaked in everything from traditional Indian music to the Beatles. It also doesn’t hurt that his band is stocked with sidemen culled from the bands as varied as Chuck Berry, Sheryl Crowe, Bela Fleck, and Alabama. Hence, elements of jazz, Carribean, folk and rock n roll blend to create wide-ranging-but accessible fusion accompanied by an electrifying live show.

See Peter Mayer talking about his Voyage-Air BelAir Limited Edition Electric.

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Jim Mayer

Before the Nashville-dwelling Jim Mayer became a mainstay in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band playing bass alongside his brother Peter on guitar, he earned his keep playing and touring with the likes of Moody Blues, James and Chicago.

For those of us not yet old enough to appreciate the subtle humor and salted, sun-soaked vibe of “Margaritaville” – much less buy a drink – Mayer has captured the attention of a much younger crowd with equal success. They know him simply as “Uncle Jim” and having twenty nieces and nephews of his own, Uncle Jim knows a thing or two about what the kids like. His first children’s album Funky as a Diaper has the chart success to prove it.

To date, “Uncle” Jim Mayer has played on over 30 studio recordings for Jimmy Buffett, JD Souther, Annie Sellick and many more, having produced and engineered 11 of those on his own.

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Jimmy Buffett

 When a long time band member took a Voyage-Air Guitar on tour with Jimmy Buffett, it quickly became a band favorite. Pausing to take photographs in front of the Eiffel Tower, it’s easy to see how delighted the Mayer Brothers were to have the guitar in Europe. When Jimmy expressed his amazement at Bonnaroo Music Festival and subsequently the band began to travel with it, it seemed fitting that Jimmy should have one, too. Unfortunate for Jimmy, his signature model guitars don’t fold for travel. Voyage-Air Guitar is a great tool for artists like Jimmy that need a guitar to travel with when their stage guitars are safely packed away for touring.

Coral Reefer Band Members Jim Mayer & Peter Mayer use Voyage Air guitars.

Darryl Worley

Darryl Worley is an American country music artist who would visit the Nashville offices of Savannah Music Group and Voyage Air. Worley has released six studio albums which have produced eighteen singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including three Number Ones: “I Miss My Friend”, “Have You Forgotten?”, and “Awful, Beautiful Life”. “Have You Forgotten?” spent seven weeks at Number One.

Richie McDonald

Richie McDonald has long been one of music’s most accomplished and wide-ranging talents. Recognized as one of country’s best singers, he was the face and voice of Lonestar, ranked among the genre’s preeminent groups. A polished and engaging entertainer, he was the focal point of the group’s storied touring career. As one of the industry’s most successful songwriters, he has penned some of the era’s most memorable songs and earned a mantle full of awards and nominations.

Now, with the upcoming release of  “Slowdown,” he launches his much-anticipated solo career and demonstrates that he is just now hitting stride.

“We had a great run and made a lot of wonderful memories,” he says, “but I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing now. This feels right in my heart.

Richie’s new album project, which spotlights both McDonald’s legendary way with a big ballad and his ability to relay the magic of family life, is due for a 2010 release.

The list of accomplishments McDonald brings to his solo career is among music’s most noteworthy. His was the voice behind songs like “Amazed,” “Smile” and “No News” and the pen behind songs like “My Front Porch Looking In” and “Let Them Be Little.” He has earned six gold and platinum albums, several CMA and ACM awards as well as BMI awards for songwriting. In writing and singing “I’m Already There,” he was responsible for a song embraced so warmly by the military and their families it became an unofficial anthem for U.S. troops serving the Middle East.

“That has to be the most rewarding part about writing songs,” he says, “when you can actually see the effect it has had on other people’s lives.”

He has also written songs recorded by John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker, Billy Dean, Sara Evans and the Wilkinsons, among others.

His decision to launch a solo career came after a great deal of reflection.

“I just reached a crossroads in my personal and professional life,” he says. “When our deal ended, I felt like it was a sign for me to do other things, to slow down and spend more time with my family and yet keep being an artist, hopefully making music that can really make a difference in people’s lives.”

He released a Christian record (“something I always wanted to do and another side of me the fans get to hear”) before beginning his current project.

He is still embracing as strongly as ever the wide-ranging nature of his musical talents.

“Songwriting, recording and live performance are all connected for me,” he says. “My passion is writing, but when I write a song and get to record it myself, it means that much more to me because then I get to perform it. I think they’re all intertwined and I don’t think I could do one without the other. Still, I feel like it all starts with the song, and the rest will take care of itself.”

At this point, he is promoting his new music with renewed energy.

“Nobody said it was going to be easy,” he says with a characteristic smile. “It wasn’t easy the first time around. I feel like I’m a new artist, like I have to prove myself and that’s what I’m doing. I think the great thing is I do have relationships I’ve built over the years. It’s nice to go into a radio station and see familiar faces and not feel like a total stranger.”

He is renewing those relationships as an artist extending his impact on the musical genre he loves, and a family man deepening his ties at home.

“This is a new chapter in my life,” he says. “Included in that is trying to be a little more creative in how I spend time with my family and watch my children grow up. They’re at ages where it’s really important to me.”

As he carves out the proper balance between home and road, he is looking forward to the joys and thrills of that connection with his audience.

“I want to be back out there in front of thousands of screaming people, seeing them sing the songs back.”

It’s a thrill that never gets old for any performer, and for Richie McDonald, it is one he can see both through his windshield and in his rear-view mirror.

“I’m grateful every day,” he says, “for the chance to continue to do something I love so much.”

–Rob Simbeck