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Tampa's Luna Guitars Has 'Idol' Connection

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Luna Guitars founder Yvonne de Villiers and manager Derek Badala hold guitars similar to one given to the final five American Idol finalists.

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By SARAH HOYE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 23, 2008

Updated: 05/23/2008 12:16 am

TAMPA - Before David Cook was crowned an "American Idol" on Wednesday night, he hit the stage with ZZ Top and played "Sharp Dressed Man."

And in the hands of the scruffy rocker was an Apollo series Luna electric guitar designed by Yvonne de Villiers, founder of Luna Guitars on West Waters Avenue.

The five "Idol" finalists, including Cook, received free instruments from the Tampa-based manufacturer and seller of acoustic and electric 6- and 12-string guitars and bass guitars.

Cook's guitar has several personal touches, including the initials "AC" under the bridge in honor of his brother Adam, 36, who is battling brain cancer. It also has a palm and hand inspired by artwork from Cook's 2006 solo album "Analog Heart," as well as a pair of wings.

On Wednesday night, de Villiers was at home washing dishes while "Idol" aired in the other room. When she heard Cook would be playing with ZZ Top she went to watch the performance. (Coincidentally, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill helped put Luna's sister company, Dean Guitars, also in Tampa, on the map years earlier.)

"I walked in and it took a minute to register, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, that's ours,'" said de Villiers, a graduate of Plant High School and the University of South Florida who made stained glass windows before starting Luna in 2004. "I was jumping up and down like a little girl. I really believe that energy follows intent, and you could tell that it just wasn't off the rack. I was so delighted."

This is the first season "Idol" contestants could play instruments during their performances. It gave de Villiers and her colleagues the idea to give the finalists free guitars and they contacted "Idol" producers. In late April, they were given the go-ahead with the understanding the guitars were neither a sponsorship nor endorsement. And there was no guarantee the instruments would be played on-air.

Luna's division manager Derek Badala flew to California with guitars for Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado and Brooke White. Each was selected by de Villiers and had a personal letter tucked inside the case.

But because Cook is left-handed, Luna needed to customize his guitar.

"We knew he Cook couldn't use the one we originally gave him, so we asked him what we he wanted on it," said Badala, who flew to Los Angeles a second time to deliver the guitar to Cook. "They all are just really nice kids. For kids who have been blessed with that kind of talent, it was refreshing to see the humility."

The team had seven days to make Cook's guitar, which started as a block of wood, so it would be ready for the show's finale, Badala said.

"When I gave it to David he was just blown away," he said. "It had to all be done by hand. A lot of love and workmanship was made here in Tampa."

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.

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