Summer job, dream guitar

At 17, Eva Walker spent her entire summer paycheck on a cream-colored Fender Stratocaster at Guitar Center in 2006. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, she wanted to sound like her hero.

“Mom, I want this one!”

Nearly 20 years together

Eva named her guitar Ruth after her grandmother's middle name. She wrote her band's debut album on it and played major stages opening for Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie, and Fishbone.

Discovered by Pearl Jam

Playing Ruth at a Seattle Sounders jersey launch in front of 40,000 people caught the attention of Pearl Jam's Mike McCready. The cream-colored Strat had become her signature instrument.

A call from her manager

DeVon called with unexpected news: a prison in Oklahoma wanted to book Eva's band for their annual music festival. It was something she'd been trying to do for years.

“I know you've been trying to do this for years, and I think we finally got our opportunity.”

Guitar World made it happen

The Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington, Oklahoma discovered Eva through a Guitar World interview. They dug into her music and decided to invite her band to perform.

“They saw an interview you did in Guitar World before. And they dug into your music!”

Arrival at Joseph Harp

On May 18, 2025, Eva's band landed in Oklahoma and headed to the medium-security men's prison. When they approached the stage, they saw inmates in orange jumpsuits staring silently.

Already rock stars

The silence broke instantly. Inmates began singing Eva's songs, shouting lyrics and cheering. She couldn't believe they already knew her music.

“Mama! There's a spider in my room!”

The music room tour

Before performing, Eva toured the prison's music room filled with donated gear from musicians who'd performed there before. The setup was surprisingly impressive.

An hour-long headlining set

Eva and The Black Tones performed songs from their debut album Cobain & Cornbread. She used her favorite effects pedals including a Vox wah-wah and OCD distortion.

Ruth's final moment

As the set ended, Eva told the inmates about Ruth and their 20-year journey together. Then she made a split-second decision to gift the guitar to the prison.

“This feels like the right time to leave her. Right here!”

The crowd erupts

The inmates cheered loudly when Eva announced the gift. She saw tears in the audience as she said goodbye to Ruth for the first time in her life.

Back to the guitar store

Weeks later, Eva returned to a Seattle guitar shop for the first time in nearly 20 years. Instead of rushing to a guitar, she let one choose her.

“I let this new one choose me.”

Meet Crazy Blue

Eva found a blue Gretsch Electromatic Pristine with gold hardware. Later, she played it at Monroe Correctional Complex and let the inmates name her Crazy Blue.

Making room for the new

Eva realized that sometimes you have to let loved ones go to make room for what comes next. Ruth's gift opened a new chapter in her musical journey.

“There are times in life when you have to let loved ones go.”