Homer Ledford

I was fortunate to have lived in Lexington in 1986, picked for hours at the festival for him in Winchester, his band played at the park real close to where I was living in Lexington, met, & learned to play the dulcimer at a local book store where he was, & I feel extremely blessed by this man's presence! He will definitely be missed - by me, & others! Rest in peace, Homer! Ray Dennis Withrow/Pres. of No Creek Music (ASCAP)

For Homer...On a quiet morning
if one listens carefully
they can hear your music.

WEEP NOT FOR ME


Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.

I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.

Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.

Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.

Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.


© Joe Fazio
~
jfazio@gmail.com /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California

Colista and family,
One of my fondest memories is listening to Homer play
when the neighbors got together in
the empty lot next to our house and the musicians jammed.
I guess I was about 12 years old. I remember Homer as a fun and humble man. May happy memories continue to
comfort you.

As an Industrial Arts student of Homer's in 1959 and 1960, I learned about his appreciation for doing things the right way. A lesson that I am sure many of us have carried with us throughout our lives.
He was simply an "ARTIST" and a Gentleman.

I am honored to have recently acquired Homer Ledford's #27 F-5 style mandolin.
I happened by it from a classified ad on www.mandolincafe.com and had to take a look because our last names are the same - even though we are not directly related.
Well, it's a fine mandolin and I am proud to own and play it.
It is my understanding this is the last F-5 style mandolin Homer created before his passing on.
So from one Ledford to another, #27 is in a good home and is being played just as Homer would want it to be.

To all the Ledford family,
I count it a privilege to have met Homer Ledford and to have heard him in concert in Grant County, KY. I also thoroughly enjoyed the KET program which showed how he made these lovely instruments.
Now, finally, I have been privileged to purchase one of my own! It is one of his sweetheart dulcimers made in 1980. It is not only a beautiful work of art, but plays easily and sweetly.
Homer Ledford was the sort of talented-yet-humble person that anyone would have wanted at their family dinner table. You all were certainly blessed to have had him in your lives.
Homer's music will always live on as each generation hears his music and learns to play his wonderful instruments. Mine is certainly treasured...and I cannot play it without thinking of the fine man who fashioned it.
My sympathy to you all, and God bless you!

Hi, I was thinking of Homer tonight as I worked on my computer and found this. My parents and aunts were members of the Lexington Folksingers for many years with Homer and Colista. They were so fond of them. I always enjoyed the chance to talk to Homer and hear him play. Thanks to my family, I have two lovely dulcimers he made to remember him by.

What a great guy.

A friend sent me the article from a Louisville,KY newspaper to me. Mr. Ledford looks so much like my brother, Dennis Ledford, who is also a self-made, accomplished musician. Our sincere sympathies. Heaven's music will be all the sweeter with Homer lending his talent to the Angel Band.

I'm so sorry to learn of Mr. Ledford's passing, though I know he is most certainly in the most happy and satisfying of homes. Our musical loss is, of course, Heaven's gain! And I'm sure there's a lot more foot tappin' going on now than has ever been heard on that side of the pearly gates!

I met Mr. Ledford while a student at Eastern Kentucky University and working a summer job at Camp Wesley Woods in Winchester. He gave of his time in entertaining disabled young campers. I assure you the camp staff appreciated his talent as much as the kids.

That was in the summer of '78. Over the years I'd run into him at festivals and shows around Appalachia. I'd always ask him about ordering a Ledford Guitar, and he'd try to talk me into a Martin, instead.

I'd rather have a Ledford.