The Homer Ledford Award for Outstanding Musical Instrument
This year the Kentucky Folklife Program at Western Kentucky
University is joining with the Appalachian Center at Berea College to
present the Homer Ledford Award at the Annual Celebration of
Traditional Music in Berea on October 17th, 2014.
Since 2007, the Homer Ledford Award has been given to Kentucky
luthiers who have demonstrated outstanding craftsmanship, mastery of
making and setting up instruments for excellent tone and playability,
and have been recognized by the communities of musicians they serve.
This award is given in honor and memory of master luthier, musician,
and educator Homer Ledford. Known for his superb craftsmanship,
impressive productivity, inspired innovations, generous spirit and
willingness to teach anyone interested in his art, Homer had a profound
impact on musical communities throughout Kentucky and far
beyond. Many luthiers and musicians have fond memories of visiting
his basement shop in Winchester, Ky., where he immersed himself in his
work while sharing techniques, wisdom and stories behind the rich
cultural heritage he represented. Ledford’s legacy lives on among the
current generation of musical craftspeople he inspired, and this award
symbolizes that legacy.
“Homer was an inspiration to countless traditional musicians and
instrument makers. “ shared Brent Bjorkman, Director of The Kentucky
Folklife Program based at Western Kentucky University, “Berea College
was the place where Homer and his wife Colista first met as students
and began to develop so many of their deep friendships that have lasted
over more than 60 years. The Annual Celebration of Traditional Music
weekend will be the perfect place to present this award.”
Past Homer Ledford Awardees include Warren May of Berea, Art Mize of
Lexington and Donna Lamb of Lancaster.
The Kentucky Folklife Program will be coordinating the award process.
If you know of an inspiring Kentucky instrument maker and would like
to submit their name as a nominee please visit the KFP website. For
further details about the submission process contact Brent Bjorkman,
Director of the Kentucky Folklife Program: brent.bjorkman@wku.edu
Deadline for submissions is September 8th, 2014
2014 Homer Ledford Award Nomination Form
Your name:
Your contact information:
Nominee’s Name:
Nominee’s contact information:
1. Describe the type of instrument building work being
carried out by the nominee.
2. Describe the caliber of the nominee’s work as it
pertains to the historical and cultural background
3 Describe how the nominee learned the skills of
instrument making include information on when,
where and from whom he or she learned.
4 Describe how the nominee’s work samples
demonstrate artistic excellence as defined by the
community of musicians who perform using the
nominee built instrument.
5 Work samples: It is important for the Homer Ledford
advisory team to see sample images of the nominee’s
work. Please attach to the same email 6-10
representative digital images of what you consider the
nominee’s strongest work.