Artist D.FRiel Creates Rockin’ Art for Jimmy Johnson
BY valerie roy
For over the past 14 years, acclaimed artist Dennis Friel has been creating masterpieces for Hall of Fame Coach Jimmy Johnson’s world-famous fishing tournaments. “We couldn’t be prouder to have Dennis as our official tournament artist,” says Coach Johnson, “We produce the world’s most elite offshore fishing experiences. The world’s most elite Sailfishing teams compete at our events. So, it’s no mistake that we partnered with the world’s most elite fishing and wildlife artist. But it’s not just about the art. Dennis really does influence it all in so many other ways.”
The legendary coach is right. Dennis truly does leave his mark. Being both an award-winning accomplished artist and designer, he has contributed not only to the creation of our tournament artwork year after year, but he’s also helped develop the design of our entire brand. His company Connected by Water®. (CBW) has also been the official tournament shirt partner for all three of our Quest For The Ring™. challenges. CBW provides everything our competitors need, from tournament shirts, hats, custom art, design and so much more.
an accomplished artist and more
Being not just an artist, but also an influencer in the marine industry, in 2023 he hosted our livestream weigh-in on Catch Stat at the Golden Nugget Marina in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dennis even live streams from our South Florida tournament at the Hard Rock via his heralded podcast platform also called Connected By Water®. Which coincidentally is title-sponsored by our official rum partner, Papa’s Pilar Rum.
Papa’s Pilar Chief Community Officer Mike Myatt explains, “We’ve been sponsoring Dennis’ show since 2019 and feel there’s no better way for us to immerse ourselves into the culture of our fishing community than being ‘connected by water’.”
a rockin' idea
Throughout the years, our tournament circuit has grown into the premier fishing event in all South Florida and beyond. Dennis has been right there evolving with us. This can be described in no better way than mentioning his hand-painted guitars. “Seven years ago, when we united with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino franchise, we felt we needed to go big and come up with some cool ways to enhance our synergies,” explains Fish Hard Events CEO Tod Roy. “So, Dennis says ‘I got it! Why don’t I hand-paint a guitar?’ Right then we knew he hit a homerun with that idea.”
It Just Keeps Getting Better and better
In 2017, the first guitar was painted and then released into a live auction
When the tournament awards ceremony was last held at Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill restaurant in Key Largo, Florida it sold for $14,000.00 to the Seminole Tribe’s very own Chris Osceola. “When that first guitar sold at that price, we knew we had a cool thing going right away,” says artist Dennis Friel. “Then later that night so many people were coming up to me and asking about the next guitar. It was an exciting moment for sure, but I was determined to keep making them better and better.”
Better and Better is right. In fact, Dennis’ guitars now sell at live auction during the tournament events consistently between $25,000.00 to $35,000.00. He even now paints one for the Atlantic City tournament. “It’s so cool to see how this all evolved and how sought after his guitars have become. I personally have collected most of them, but each year it keeps getting harder and harder as more people are bidding for them,” adds Osceola.
Dennis pours his heart and soul into each one. If you knew what goes into making them, along with the charitable proceeds they annually generate, you’d know they are worth every penny. It also helps that Coach Johnson puts his seal of approval on each one by hand-signing them alongside Dennis at the events. Friel smiles as he explains, “I love that he does that with me. It really validates the entire process and adds a little something extra to each guitar.”
For the 2024 Quest For The Ring™ awards at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida two guitars were painted – One electric Gibson Les Paul and one Martin X Series acoustic. The Les Paul depicted a Sailfish and was painted in Friel’s signature ‘breakwater’ style. On the Martin was a scene from one of the artist’s favorite books ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ by famed writer Ernest Hemingway. Those guitars sold at auction for a combined total of $60,000.00. Dennis expresses his affinity for the Hemingway guitar stating, “It’s only fitting that I eventually created a Hemingway guitar. Hemingway and that particular novel have always been a massive influence, not just to me, but to so many in our fishing community. When you couple that with our Hemingway Rum Company relationship and it all just makes sense.”
The Best is Yet To Come
d.friel fans wait in anticipation to see what’s next
At this year’s 2025 awards ceremony Dennis will once again have two, one-of-a-kind hand-painted guitars ready for auction that are sure to be the best ones yet. He will also have a full Connected By Water® Art Gallery setup at the gifting suite prior to and during the awards. It’s all the makings for another spectacular evening.
As the years move forward, we only see greater things happening together with Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Friel. What’s next? Well, you can guarantee more amazing art, more unique ideas, exceptional hospitality and stellar competition. All of it to be done first-class. But let’s just wait and see what other unique surprises we have in store for you. With Dennis Friel behind the brush and Fish Hard Events in charge of the experience, it’s sure to be epic!
The Connected By Water® Podcast is fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and features the most legendary names and influencers in the world's fishing, diving, and waterman communities.





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