Joe Agnello Joins the GGF Family

Grateful Guitars Foundation is proud to announce another gift from our new Matt Reynolds matching guitar gift program from board member, David Meerman Scott for guitarist Joe Agnello. David and GGF partnered to fund a Rich Hoeg Blackknife guitar. David was on hand at The Cabot to make the gift where Joe was performing with Zach Nugent’s Dead Set. The Hoeg Guitars Blackknife features a two piece mahogany neck sandwiching a black veneer, a graphite plate and rosewood fretboard with a five piece body composed of a Rosewood top and back with a birdseye maple and mahogany core with EMG SA pickups and SPC control and a Kahler tremolo and roller nut.

Photography by Alan C. Scott

Here’s the story directly from David Meerman Scott:

I first saw Joe Agnello play with Zach Nugent’s Dead Set at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT in November 2021. I knew to expect great things from Zach, a member of the Grateful Guitars player family, and I wasn’t disappointed as Zach crushed it that night on Jerry’s original Wolf guitar. However, I was surprised and immediately captured by Joe’s energy and creativity in interpreting Bobby’s playing. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Since then, Joe has matured into one of the top Grateful Dead players in the world. Every time I see Joe, I want more.

In mid 2023, I thought Joe would be an ideal recipient of a Grateful Guitars world-class musical instrument gift. As an East Coast based Bobby player, Joe is the kind of young, talented musician who will carry the jam band flame for decades to come. Joe had already played several Hoeg guitars, borrowed from friends, so when we approached him about a possible gift, he immediately requested a Hoeg Blackknife. Utilizing GGF’s new Matt Reynolds Matching Gift Program, we worked with Rich Hoeg who was working on crafting a very limited run of several Blackknife models and we placed an order.

The big presentation was slated for a Dead Set gig at the historic 1920s-era Cabot Performing Arts Center in Beverly, MA outside Boston on December 29, 2024. Upon receiving the gift at the start of the second set, Joe was over the moon with joy and gratitude to be the recipient of such a beautiful guitar. During the first song of the set, the first time Joe played his new Blackknife in front of an audience, an appropriate “I Need a Miracle” had Joe smiling the entire time. Later in the set, a blistering “Throwing Stones” captured Joe’s talent and the guitar’s amazing sound, leaving the audience deeply appreciative of being in the room for such a wonderful show.

Photographs by Jamie Soja Photography and Alan C. Scott