USA TODAY 2D LIFE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 TRAVEL

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AIR CANADA Air Canada is getting a makeover. Air Canada freshens look Air Canada is getting a new look, and it’s one the airline hopes will appeal to U.S. fliers. Canada’s largest carrier re- vealed a new paint scheme for its planes this month, moving to a white and black look that features Air Canada’s traditional maple leaf logo in red. The airline also revealed new uniforms for cus- tomer-facing employees, includ- ing pilots, flight attendants and airport agents. The change comes as Air Cana- da is becoming increasingly glob- al in its ambitions. Since 2015, Air Canada has announced dozens of new routes to international desti- nations such as Algiers, Algeria; Berlin; Prague; Casablanca, Mo- rocco; Mumbai; and Brisbane, Australia among others. But perhaps Air Canada’s most aggressive expansion during that PHOTOS BY DAMIEN ROGERS time has come on routes to the star and museum ambassador Vince Gill with one of 34 “Golden Era” Sunburst . United States, where the airline now flies to 57 destinations after a series of expansions during the past two years. Now, Air Canada is stepping up Songbirds Museum its eforts to court Americans traveling abroad. With its grow- ing international footprint, Air Canada hopes to convince U.S. fli- strikes a powerful chord ers to connect through its hubs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancou- ver when flying overseas. Tennessee tunes in “If you want to go to Europe or to history, beauty Asia, you’ve got to fly over Canada if you’re originating or ending in of the instrument the U.S. That puts us in a very privileged position to ofer con- nections,” said Ben Smith, Air Marla Cimini Canada’s president for passenger Special for USA TODAY airlines.

Ben Mutzabaugh CHATTANOOGA, TENN. As a self- proclaimed “guitar nerd,” country music icon and Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Vince Gill owns a serious collection of stringed instruments himself. So it’s no surprise that he was named as ambassador of the brand-new Songbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn. Gill enthusiastically embraces the role and ties it to his own ca- reer. “These things make a beau- tiful sound and they are inspiring to play and hear and hold. There Songbirds Guitar Museum’s British Invasion showcase features classic guitars from the ’60s. is really something about the kin- ship of an instrument in some- ated to showcase this exceptional one’s hands who is trying to be collection of guitars that had nev- creative. Without the guitar, I er been on display. would not have written all these Smith explains, “We are BRIANNA PACIORKA, KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL songs, I wouldn’t have played all thrilled to have Vince as the mu- Dollywood’s kid coaster Whistle these shows and I wouldn’t have seum’s ambassador, as he truly Punk Chaser is under construction. done all the things that I’ve been appreciates the instruments. He able to do.” is such a versatile musician and a Dollywood rides The Songbirds museum is the great storyteller and you can tell new home to what is considered that the guitars evoke some real out winter with by aficionados as the premier pri- emotion with him.” vate collection of rare guitars in Chattanooga was chosen for construction the world. The collection features the museum because of its loca- approximately 1,700 significant tion near multiple metropolitan PIGEON FORGE, TENN. Workers guitars from the early 20th centu- areas and afordable operating at Dollywood are busy with about ry to the 1970s. At 7,500 square costs, boosted by the tenacity of 250 construction, renovation and feet, Songbirds will be interactive, Smith and other locals. remodeling projects while the displaying approximately 500 of Smith adds, “I want to be a cul- theme park is closed through part the instruments in permanent tivator for the local music scene. of March. and rotating exhibits, grouped by In Chattanooga, we are always The park escaped damage from manufacturer, theme and era, Visitors can remember Kornfield Kounty when they see the 1964 looking for a place where the lo- Hee-Haw the Gatlinburg fires in November with a selection of vintage acous- Fender Custom Telecaster played by Don Rich on TV’s . cal musicians can have opportu- and resumed its Smoky Moun- tic, electric, jazz, bass, mandolin, nities. We have such great local tain Christmas celebration a few banjos and memorabilia. sparkle Telecaster from 1964, a talent here.” days after the fires were With a grand opening set for IF YOU GO one-of-a-kind instrument that Davidson says: “Songbirds fea- extinguished. March 10 (and a soft launch just Rich played often with Buck Ow- tures exceptional quality guitars Projects at the Tennessee underway), the museum organiz- LOCATION: 35 Station St., ens in the 1960s. that play well, sound well and theme park range from new rides, ers expect it to be a significant Chattanooga, Tenn. 37408 Other rare instruments includ- have a place in history. including construction of a 200- boost to Chattanooga tourism, at- HOURS: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily ed in Gill’s personal exhibit will “All the guitars were chosen for foot free-fall ride, the Drop Line, tracting more than 100,000 visi- ADMISSION: $18.95; Children be a 1942 Martin Herringbone; a not one of those reasons — but all and kid roller coaster, Whistle tors annually. It is located in a (5-12) $11.95 1938 Gibson Advance jumbo; and of those reasons.” Punk Chaser, to remodeling res- space intertwined with city’s his- CONTACT: (423) 531-2473, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul sunburst, He continues, “Songbirds is an taurants and other buildings. tory: the legendary Chattanooga songbirdsguitars.com considered by many to be the art, history and cultural museum The Drop Line and Whistle Choo-Choo terminal station that “holy grail” of electrics, each blended together.” Punk Chaser will be in the park’s opened in 1908. (The namesake worth hundreds of thousands of Housed in a renovated space Timber Canyon and are sched- song turned 75 last year). dollars. that most recently held a train uled to be completed in the sum- Exhibits will showcase the evo- Gill adds, “The instruments are museum, Songbirds has soaring mer. Dollywood opens March 18, lution of the guitar through vari- banjos and mandolins from Mar- as much a part of our history as ceilings, charred-wood walls, ex- and many of the renovation and ous musical genres, including tin, Gibson and other companies. the people who played them. posed brick and steel. remodeling projects will be com- blues, jazz, Motown, country, the The museum will ofer VIP ac- Maybe even more so. Decidedly family-friendly, it pleted by then. British Invasion and surf guitar — cess to other exclusive experienc- “If you think about it, when will include guitar lessons, per- Dollywood’s Splash Country and of course rock ’n’ roll. The es with advance reservations (and you casually start listening to fa- formances and the chance to also is receiving a major addition. museum is not focused on which added expense). The Green Room vorite songs that you love, nine learn the human stories behind Work began in October on the musicians owned or played the is a separate area for prearranged times out of 10, you will know the guitars. new TailSpin Racer water slide. guitars, but rather the beauty, private or small-group guided what it is by the instrument Throughout the space, LED The slide, which has lanes to race craftsmanship and significance of tours that features guitars con- played before the singer sings. video screens, animation and ar- other attendees and stretches the instruments themselves. sidered “best of the best.” Further “These instruments have de- tifacts show additional informa- longer than a football field, will be Valued at more than $200 mil- back, the Songbirds Vault houses fined so much of our legacy tion about the displays. ready by the time Splash Country lion, Songbirds’ extensive collec- the crown jewels of the musically.” Gill has his eyes on the future, opens May 13. tion of American-made instru- collection. Developed as a passion project hoping that if young visitors are ments includes 300+ one-of- In addition, Songbirds will dis- by museum president Johnny inspired by the collection, “it will Maggie Jones a-kind custom-color Fender gui- play a section of special guitars Smith, a professional musician, perpetuate the history of all these tars; 75 custom-color Gibson gui- curated by Gill that will evolve. along with curator and CEO Da- instruments, and they will go on tars; plus original five-string The first includes Don Rich’s gold vid Davidson, Songbirds was cre- to live for another 100 years.”