Bonham -- With the garden at Creative Arts Center transformed into a jazz club for the evening, a large crowd settled in to enjoy the first-ever live performance of the music of Charlie Christian in Bonham, Texas, the town where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jazz guitarist was born in 1916 and buried in 1942.

An impressive jazz combo consisting of pianist James Dering, drummer Jason Dering, bassist Darryle Dering and Randy McBroom on trumpet provided the soundtrack for an historical evening, but on a night like this the spotlight had to be focused squarely on the guitarist. University of North Texas jazz guitarist Michael Tuck played the part of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jazz guitarist Charlie Christian.

Having three members of the gifted Dering family made the night reminiscent of the legendary Christian family jam sessions in Oklahoma City. At the same time, this was Tuck's first chance to sit in with the band and that element made the night much like the times Charlie Christian would show up at Minton's Playhouse in Harlem after a performance with the Benny Goodman Sextet and launch into an improvised late-night jam with the house band.

"We are honored to be here," James Dering told the crowd. "This isn't just a gig; this is an historical event."

The life story of Charlie Christian was just as important as the music and Oklahoma City resident Anita Arnold, probably the leading authority on Christian and the "Deep Deuce" music scene that launched Christian's career, made the trip to Bonham to narrate the event. Arnold was a member of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Advisory Committee for three years and she has authored three cultural history books detailing the Oklahoma City Music scene during the time Christian was building a regional reputation as well as Christian's two years with Benny Goodman.

"It's always great to talk about Charlie Christian," stated Ms. Arnold. "He is your very own icon and legend. This year marks 70 years since Charlie Christian died. In 22 1/2 months, he made musical history that will last forever and ever.  Every guitarist worth his salt or her salt knows who Charlie Christian was."

Before Christian, guitars were rhythm instruments tucked away in the back of the band. Although the first electric guitars weren't specifically made for Christian, he was the first guitarist to combine this new technology and music theory needed to propel the guitar to the front of the bandstand. Christian not only created single-note guitar riffs that could match the great horn players of his era; his influence also began transforming jazz from the swing-based music of the 20s and 30s to something that would eventually become bebop and cool jazz.

Christian was so far ahead of his peers that, when he died in 1942, no one else was ready to combine the technology of amplification and music theory.

"That is where Charlie Christian stands alone," Arnold told the crowd at Creative Arts Center. "It was two years before the next guitarist, Django Reinhardt, was ready to fill that void."

Arnold also made note of how much Christian accomplished in his short life.

"How many people do you know at the age of 25 who even know who they are?" she said. "By then, Charlie Christian had already made musical history. As long as they make light bulbs, we will remember Thomas Edison. As long as they make electric guitars, some people will think of Charlie Christian."

Arnold went back to Oklahoma City with two very special mementos of the First Annual Tribute to the Music of Charlie Christian. Terry and Bonnie Blose turned a bois d'arc vase made specifically for Arnold made from wood on their farm in Gober, Texas and finished with beeswax from the area.

A good-natured bidding war pushed the price of a commemorative picture frame fashioned from wood taken from Christian's home as it was being razed to $1,000. Terry Blose built the frame and Fannin Community Foundation Executive Director Bob Self had the winning bid of $1,000. In a magnanimous gesture, Mr. Self presented the one-of-a-kind picture frame to Arnold, who will take it back to a museum in Oklahoma City.