- Homer Ledford
Homer C. Ledford (
September 26 1927 –December 11 2006 ) was an instrument maker and bluegrassmusician fromKentucky who specialized in making dulcimers.Born in Alpine,
Tennessee , he started building instruments at an early age. When he was 18, Ledford was given a scholarship to attend theJohn C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown,North Carolina . He later attendedBerea College , where he met his wife Colista. Ledford eventually transferred and graduated from what is now theEastern Kentucky University in 1954. Ledford worked as a high schoolindustrial arts teacher at George Rogers Clark High School inWinchester, Kentucky before becoming a full-time instrument maker.Musicians from all over the world have sought after his dulcimers,
banjo s,mandolin s,guitar s andukelele s. Some of his works are on display in theSmithsonian Institution .According to his website ( [http://www.cindylowy.com/About%20Homer%20C.%20Ledford.htm] ), he made over 5,776 dulcimers and over 475 banjos in his lifetime. He is also the inventor of the
dulcitar , and also madedulcijo s anddulcibro s.He was also an original inductee in the
Kentucky Stars , alongsideLoretta Lynn ,Rosemary Clooney ,Bobbie Ann Mason , andPatricia Neal . A sidewalk plaque honoring him is in front of theKentucky Theatre on Main Street inLexington, Kentucky .He devoted his career to instrument-making and to playing with the
Cabin Creek Band . He also published a book of autobiographical stories and poems, entitled "See Ya Further Up the Creek".Ledford died from a
stroke at the age of 79 inWinchester, Kentucky . He was survived by his widow, Colista; they had four children.He was posthumously given an honorary Doctorate of Humanities at the Fall 2006 commencement ceremonies at
Eastern Kentucky University , December 16, 2006, and deemed one of Kentucky's "Hereoes, Saints and Legends by Wesley Retirement Community in recognition of his contributions to music.ources
* Alvey, R. Gerald, "Dulcimer Maker, The Craft of Homer Ledford", University Press of Kentucky, 1984
* [http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=97170&messages=5 "The Mudcat Café" Obituary]
* [http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/16253978.htm?source=rss&channel=kentucky_local "Lexington Herald-Leader" - Obituary & Photo]
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