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Our Team.
Meet the people behind Between The Strings Project—our Board Members and Ambassadors. United by a passion for music, cultural exchange, and community connection, this diverse team brings warmth, creativity, and dedication to every collaboration.
BTS Board of Directors
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BTS Ambassadors
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In Memoriam
Marlene Valdez-Pace
Marlene Valdez-Pace, a native of Pueblo, Colorado, a co-founder of the Between the Strings Project, left an indelible mark on both the Grateful Dead music scene and Colorado politics. A masterful networker, Marlene's extensive experience and dedication were pivotal in the foundation's start. Her passion for the vision in El Remate drove her to work tirelessly, raising funds for the woman's center and contributing to every aspect of the project.
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Beyond her professional endeavors, Marlene was a remarkable mother to three incredible children. Her heart had a luminous quality, capable of lighting up any room. Tragically, Marlene's unexpected passing from a stroke occurred during the project's development. Her mission to infuse light and love into Between the Strings remains a guiding force, and her presence is palpable in the foundation's every endeavor.
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We honor Marlene's legacy by dedicating our efforts to the dream she believed in so fervently. Concerts, fundraising initiatives, and ongoing projects will carry the spirit of her candid heart forward. Marlene's family will always be integral members of the Between the Strings family, ensuring that her memory lives on through the work she cherished. In dedicating ourselves to this cause, we celebrate the incredible woman who left an enduring impact on our hearts and the community we serve.
Warwick Lancelot Armstrong "Rick" Turner III
On July 30, 1943, a creative force was born, destined to weave his passion for music into the very fabric of the industry. Warwick Lancelot Armstrong "Rick" Turner III, a luminary builder of guitars, basses, ukuleles, and various stringed instruments, left an indelible mark on the world of music, inspiring generations and shaping the sound of renowned artists.
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Early Life and Musical Odyssey
Rick Turner's journey commenced in Marblehead, Massachusetts, where, from the age of eight, he delved into the art of crafting and repairing musical instruments. His first guitar, a harbinger of his destiny, was gifted to him at the age of 11. His formative years were marked by a passion for folk music, leading him to Boston University in 1962. There, he immersed himself in the local folk scene, undertook guitar repairs in Cambridge, and played in the band Banana and the Bunch alongside Lowell "Banana" Levinger and Michael Kane.
In 1964, the trio opened a music store in Martha's Vineyard before Turner's talents caught the attention of folk legends Ian & Sylvia, propelling him into the music scene as their touring guitarist. His musical journey continued with the psychedelic band Autosalvage, and in 1968, he relocated to Point Reyes, California.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Rick Turner's entrepreneurial spirit thrived, co-founding Alembic Inc in 1969 with Owsley "Bear" Stanley and Ron Wickersham, contributing significantly to the design and construction of Alembic instruments. In 1979, he founded Rick Turner Guitars and, in 1988, assumed the role of President of Gibson Labs West Coast R&D Division.
Leaving Gibson in 1992, Turner ventured into guitar repair at Westwood Music in Los Angeles, where he developed pioneering piezo pickup designs, collaborating with luminaries like Jackson Browne and David Crosby. Co-founding Highlander Musical Audio followed, specializing in piezo pickups for acoustic guitars.
Throughout his career, Turner built instruments for icons such as Jerry Garcia, Jack Casady, Phil Lesh, Lindsey Buckingham, Ry Cooder, David Lindley, and Andy Summers. His profound impact extended beyond his craft, inspiring the inception of the Between the Strings Foundation—a testament to his enduring influence on the world of music.
Legacy and Innovation
One of Turner's crowning achievements was the Turner Model 1 electric guitar, designed in 1979 for Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. This groundbreaking instrument, still in use today, pioneered curved plates on the front and back to reduce standing wave hysteresis loss. Turner's patent on the graphite guitar neck, developed in 1976, further underscored his commitment to innovation.
Beyond his remarkable career, Turner generously shared his knowledge, teaching mandolin-building courses in the US and Australia and actively participating in musical instrument forums and social media groups.
A Final Note
Rick Turner's illustrious journey in the world of music reached its final chord on April 17, 2022, when he succumbed to congestive heart failure and a stroke at the age of 78. As we remember this extraordinary builder, innovator, and mentor, let us celebrate a life dedicated to the pursuit of musical excellence, forever resonating Between the Strings. The Between the Strings Project stands as a living tribute to his inspiration and an eternal acknowledgment of his timeless contributions.