How a dearly departed Alabama music legend’s guitars are getting in new hands

When singer-songwriter Amy McCarley takes the stage this Sunday at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena, her performance will carry a special weight. As part of a concert celebrating the life of Huntsville’s beloved “Microwave” Dave Gallaher, McCarley will be playing one of the late bluesman’s own instruments: a vintage Epiphone Zephyr.

It is the same guitar Gallaher famously used during live performances of his signature cover of Bo Diddley’s “Roadrunner.” With its light touch and rich tone, the instrument serves as a poignant reminder of Gallaher, who passed away in early February at age 79. For McCarley, who counted the icon as a close friend and neighbor, holding the guitar is a silver lining in the wake of a heavy loss.

Keeping the Music in the Community

Since Gallaher’s passing, his brother Tom Gallaher and Rick Godfrey, the bassist from Gallaher’s band, The Nukes, have worked to ensure Dave’s most cherished guitars don't just sit idle. Instead, they are being placed into the hands of local working musicians.

Notable instruments have already found new homes. A purple Gibson Flying V once played by Gallaher now belongs to Dave Anderson of Brother Cane, while Mike Roberts of 5ive O’Clock Charlie has received a cigar-box guitar known as “The Gallacaster.” Other instruments, including hollow-body Epiphones, have gone to artists like Michael Goldsmith.

Local luthier Tom Shepard, who has long worked on instruments for Gallaher, has donated his time to ensure these relics are set up and ready to be played once more.

Honoring a Legacy

The efforts to honor Gallaher extend far beyond his gear. The Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation continues his mission of keeping music alive for the next generation. Additionally, there are plans to potentially house some of his more iconic pieces at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Gallaher, a veteran of the Vietnam War who famously committed himself to making people "feel better" through music, remained a fixture in the Huntsville scene right until the end. From his days backing major acts to his time with The Nukes—a band that earned international acclaim and praise from authors like Stephen King—Gallaher’s impact is undeniable.

Huntsville has recognized this contribution by recently renaming a local street to Microwave Dave Way and designating a new dog park as the Microwave Dave Dog Spot. These tributes serve as a permanent tip of the cap to a man who, as Godfrey recalls, always put the music and the community first.

Sunday's Celebration

Sunday’s “Microwave Dave Graduation Celebration” begins at 4 p.m. at the Von Braun Center. The lineup includes a diverse group of local talent, such as Kelvin Wooten, the Dawn Osborne Band, and Russell Gulley, among others.

McCarley’s set will feature a song she co-wrote with Gallaher, “Help Me See the Ones I Love,” performed on the very guitar he played for years. As she puts it, the goal for Sunday is to remember a friend who lived to make others happy—a sentiment echoed by Godfrey, who hopes attendees leave the arena with a smile.