Homer Ledford '52, internationally known dulcimer maker and leader of The Cabin Creek Band, was honored this spring with the Rude Osolnik Award.

The award, named after the nationally acclaimed Berea woodturner, and former head of the industrial arts department, recognizes Ledford for his craftsmanship, creativity and life long commitment to craft development.

"I came to Berea College and Rude was on the faculty." said Ledford. "We are founding members of the Kentucky Artist Guild, he is a 'fellow' and so am I."

Homer Ledford

Ledford also has received the Milner Award for the Governor's Awards in the Arts in 1996. He was invited to the governor's mansion and asked to entertain.

"I was asked to bring my saw that night and it went over real big," reminisced Ledford. "I played my 'Old Kentucky Home' and everyone sang along."

Raised in the Tennessee hills, Ledford crafted his first fiddle at the age of 12, and taught himself to play by listening to the Grand Ole Opry.

Over the years Ledford has made more than 6,000 dulcimers and is the inventor of the patented dulcitar, a fretless banjo and a dulcimer. The musical instrument is on display at the Smithsonian Institute. He continues to make dulcimers, guitars, banjos, ukuleles and mandolins and conduct workshops in instrument building and folk music.

Growing up, Ledford attended the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. While there recuperating from rheumatic fever he made his first dulcimers. After meeting Jean and Edna Ritchie, '36, he decided to start making dulcimers for a shop in New York.

In 1949, Ledford attended Berea College.

"I pretty much carved my way through school," said Ledford. "They paid by the piece and I could carve six pieces in an hour. At 30 cents a piece, I was making $1.80 an hour. That was pretty good."

Ledford met his wife, Colista Spradlin Ledford, '53, at Berea and was able to earn enough from woodcarving to buy her an engagement ring.

TheCabin Creek Band

"When I left (the College) they owed me money," Ledford chuckled.

In 1976 Ledford organized a five member group, The Cabin Creek Band, and they have been playing together ever since. During the past nine years the band has produced a weekly 30 minute Bluegrass radio show for WSKV-FM, in Stanton, Ky. and continue to travel the region performing.

The band was featured during the recent Celebration of Traditional Music at Berea in May.

"We really enjoyed the celebration and enjoy getting back to Berea," said Ledford.

The band also has performed internationally in South America, Ireland and England.