Bonham -- Jazz aficionados who come to Bonham looking for the grave of Charlie Christian will now have an easier time finding the legendary jazz guitarist's final resting place; it's on the south side of Charlie Christian Street.

City of Bonham officials, Booker T. Washington High School alumni in town for their bi-annual reunion and music fans gathered at Gates Hill Cemetery Friday, July 20 to participate in a ribbon cutting sponsored by Bonham Chamber of Commerce that formally dedicated Charlie Christian Street.

Christian was born in a section of Bonham known as Tank Town because of the water tanks needed by the railroad in the days of steam locomotives. From that humble beginning, Christian would go on the earn a seat in the Bennie Goodman Sextet.  It was Christian that defined the role of the amplified guitar in its early years.  

Anita Arnold, probably the leading authority on Christian's accomplishments, attended the ceremony in Bonham to dedicate Charlie Christian Street.

Anita Arnold

"Charlie Christian is not only a legend," stated Arnold. "He is an icon and an internationally acclaimed musician.  It's one thing to be great; it's another thing to be first."

"Today we honor Charlie Christian," echoed Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd. "As soon as you hear him play, you know he's different."

Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd and Audrey & Palmer Rayford

Mayor Roy Floyd

Jean Dodson (left) and Audrey Rayford place a guitar-shaped wreath of flowers beside Christian's grave.

The crowd gathers for the ribbon cutting on Charlie Christian Street.

As photographers snap away, Anita Arnold and Freddie Jenkins, a second-cousin of Charlie Christian's, cuts the ribbon to dedicate Charlie Christian Street.

A reception followed in the Elizabeth May Room.