Guitar players bring history to the Amherstburg Freedom Museum

Vaughn Klugh (left) and Christian Vegh perform at  “Crossings and Crossroads” held last Sunday inside the Nazrey AME Church, on the grounds of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.

Vaughn Klugh remembers the first time he met the legendary James Brown.

“I was 10 or 11 years old and I was stuck in Cincinnati for two weeks. My cousin said let’s go and you can meet James Brown.”

Klugh and fellow guitarist Christian Vegh were guests at the AmherstburgFreedom Museum last Sunday afternoon and they had lots of tales to tell as part of the “Crossings and Crossroads” event held in the historic Nazrey AME Church.

“I heard three guys playing guitar and they were playing his (Brown’s) big hit song, ‘Poppas got a brand-new band’,” recalls Klugh.

Klugh has travelled all over the world, touring with numerous Motown stars including the famous group the Drifters, and even recording with Detroit rapper Eminem. He was Vegh’s guitar teacher and the two brought a mixture of messages and history as part of the museum’s 50th Anniversary celebration. 

They also exchanged riffs on their instruments but it was the stories of not only famous musicians but how the guitar has been a big contributor to music over the decades that had the audience wanting more.

“The foundation of pretty much all guitar playing, starts with the blues,” explained Vegh.

Klugh said that an interesting fact about playing the guitar is that it can be used to ask and answer questions, in a musical fashion. He added that it stems from the days preachers would ask congregations a question and they would respond.

“It’s the question and answer that makes all music happens,” said Vegh.

Jazzy blues is what the two musicians seem most comfortable with and that, along with rock-a-billy is where rock-and-roll has its roots.

Klugh told several stories about his interaction with legendary guitarists but noted that to be successful, you have to develop your own style.

“The good thing about him (Vegh) is that he does his own style, he’s not a copy,” sai Klugh.

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum continues to celebrate its 50th Anniversary at 277 King St. with numerous events including the on-going photo display.

For more information, contact 519-736-5433 or visit their website at www.amherstburgfreedom.org.

Guitar players bring history to the Amherstburg Freedom Museum

By Fred Groves