Paul Reed Smith of PRS Guitars Inducted into 2026 Rockwalk Class of Legends at Crossroads Festival

Guitars and guitarists were celebrated spectacularly at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, held in Austin, Texas, September 26 and 27, 2026.

Adding even more luster to the stringed festivities was an event to honor a legend.

Just outside the Moody Center Arena, Paul Reed Smith, founder of PRS Guitars, was inducted into Guitar Center’s world famous Rockwalk by Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto and iconic singer, songwriter and guitarist John Mayer.

Founded in 1985, in Annapolis, Maryland, PRS Guitars evolved from hard work and determination. In the mid 1970s, Smith would literally take his guitars backstage at concerts to try to interest artists in his work. Early advocates of Paul’s instruments included Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Al Di Meola, Howard Leese and Carlos Santana. With endorsements from guitar heroes and Paul’s constant refinements of his designs, PRS Guitars was on a journey to become the third largest guitar manufacturer in the United States.

“Paul is obsessive about building the perfect guitar—and I mean that as the highest compliment,” said Dalporto. “He has spent his life questioning every assumption about how a guitar should sound, feel and perform, and then doing the hard work to make it better. That obsession has materially moved the electric guitar forward and raised the bar for the entire industry. Paul is a living legend whose influence spans generations of musicians and instrument makers, and we’re proud to honor him with a place in Guitar Center’s Rockwalk.” 

Before placing his hands into the cement block that will be immortalized with its placement at the Guitar Center store in Hollywood, Smith said: “John, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your being here to give me this honor today. Gabe, I also want to thank Guitar Center and you personally for doing this. I got stopped on the street and had to do more selfies than I've ever had to do in my life because of you. I love guitars, but I love the people that play them ever more. I actually don't care if people are playing PRS guitars. What I care about is getting your heart touched by the person who is playing.”

About Rockwalk

Founded in 1985, Guitar Center's Rockwalk is located at the entrance of our flagship store on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, CA. This pedestrian path and industry-recognized music landmark is dedicated to honoring the musicians and industry pioneers who have made significant and lasting contributions to the growth and evolution of music, through an exceptional level of talent, outstanding innovation and creative ingenuity.

Rockwalk has celebrated some of the most recognized names in rock, blues, soul and popular music through signature and handprint ceremonies outside Guitar Center Hollywood. More than 150 artists and innovators have been inducted, including Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Alanis Morissette, Black Sabbath, The Ramones, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.