Hatch Show Print, Nashville
Donovan and Jim Sherraden, Hatch Show Print manager, January 16, 2013. Copyright © Chris Murray archive. All Rights Reserved.
I was in Nashville a few weeks ago and visited Hatch Show Print on Broadway. Since 1879 Hatch has printed posters for entertainers. The body of work produced at Hatch is so distinctive it has become a part of America’s cultural legacy. The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service recently organized a museum tour of over 120 classic Hatch Show Print posters.
I visited Hatch with Donovan and Tom Petersson, the bass player for Cheap Trick, and introduced them to Hatch’s dynamic manager Jim Sherraden, who graciously showed us around the legendary letter press printing shop. It was Hatch who produced the poster for the recent Woodie Guthrie Centennial Concert at the Kennedy Center, which Donovan performed at. We all had a great time and I was happy to find out that Jim Sherraden and I share roots in County Cavan, Ireland.
Celene Aubry, Donovan and Tom Petersson at Hatch Show Print, January 16, 2013. Copyright © Chris Murray archive. All Rights Reserved.
Celene Aubry showing Donovan one of the Hatch Show Print letter presses, January 16, 2013. Copyright © Chris Murray archive. All Rights Reserved.
Hatch Show Print: The History of a Great American Poster Shop (Chronicle Books).
The Washington Post just published a terrific story on Nashville as seen through the eyes of Callie Khouri, the creator of the TV show Nashville and Hatch Show Print is featured in the story. For more information about this great printing company and it’s history check out Hatch Show Print: The History of a Great American Poster Shop published by Chronicle Books, one of the best publishers of illustrated books in America.
More about Hatch and it’s connection to Alfred Wertheimer’s photographs of Elvis Presley coming soon from The Back Room.
Chris Murray with Celene Aubry at Hatch Show Print, September 28, 2012. Copyright © Govinda Gallery archive. All Rights Reserved.
My regards to Jim Sherraden. When I was managing Nashville trio BONEPONY (Capitol Records) in the 90’s, Jim created many of our specialty posters. When Bonepony was “opening” for John Hiatt at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, we covered the city with our Bonypony Hatch Show Print posters. The envy from the Hiatt camp was palpable!!!
Good stuff Chris!
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your comment on my Hatch posting. That’s terrific to know about the Bonepony poster. Can you send me a jpeg of it? Would love to see it. Are they still performing? I love your remark that the Hiatt camp was envious of the poster.
Best,
Chris
Thanks Joe! Chris.