Sherry Chandler » Homer Ledford, 1927-2006
Homer Ledford, 1927-2006
from the Lexington Herald-Leader:
Legendary bluegrass musician and instrument maker Homer Ledford, whose work is displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, died Monday afternoon.
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Mr. Ledford was born Sept. 26, 1927, in the Tennessee mountains.
At an early age back in Tennessee Mr. Ledford started making musical instruments, according to his band’s Web site.
At 18, he was given a scholarship to attend John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C. He later attended Berea College, but transferred and graduated from what is now Eastern Kentucky University in 1954.
Mr. Ledford worked as a high school industrial arts teacher in Jefferson and Clark counties and became a full-time instrument maker.
He completed an estimated 5,776 dulcimers, 475 banjos, 26 mandolins, 26 guitars, 18 ukuleles, and four violins, among other instruments, the Web site said.
Mr. Ledford has samples of his craft in the Smithsonian Institution, including a fretless banjo, an Appalachian dulcimer, and a dulcitar, an instrument of his own invention, which he patented.
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2 Comments
1. Gin replies at 12th December 2006, 1:50 pm :
Hate this. We’ve lost another good one.
2. tr replies at 13th December 2006, 5:16 pm :
From the mid 80s until the early 90s the Kentucky Guild relied on Home’s talents and expertise for the music programs at our fairs. He knew a wide range of performers and persuaded them to come and perform, often for a pittance and sometimes for free. Homer also would perform with his group and solo if he needed to fill in a time slot. I can still hear him playing “My Old Kentucky Home” on that musical saw.
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