Alabama Musical Instrument Builder Juried into Prestigious Craft Guild
Birmingham, Alabama – November 15, 2004 – Bob Tedrow, owner of Homewood Musical Instrument Company and maker of Tedrow Concertinas, has been inducted into the Southern Highland Craft Guild in recognition of the contributions his concertinas have made to both the artistic and music cultures of the Southern Highland region. The Guild is an educational, non-profit organization serving the Appalachian mountain regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Maryland and Alabama. Since 1930, the Southern Highland Craft Guild has worked to maintain the standards of excellence in design and workmanship of traditional crafts taught, produced and sold in the region. Only craftsmen who have passed a rigorous jury process are accepted as members.
Tedrow’s concertinas are bellows driven, free-reed instruments that are replicas of historical musical instruments originally built in the British Isles. Early relatives of the piano accordion, these small handheld instruments were common throughout the world by the late 1800’s. Explorers, missionaries and travelers from the United Kingdom carried the concertina throughout the world. Today, the concertina is commonly heard in the performance of traditional music from England, Ireland, and the United States.
Tedrow Concertinas, sold throughout US and Europe will now be on display at the Southern Highland Folk Art Center located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina.
Homewood Musical Instrument Company is located in Homewood, AL, specializing in design and building of English, Duet and Anglo concertinas. For more information please visit http://hmi.homewood.net/.
Contact:
Robert E. Tedrow
Homewood Musical Instrument Company
3027 Central Ave
Homewood, Alabama 35209
Phone (205) 879-4868
Email hmi@scott.net Http://hmi.homewood.net
I have two questions. First, how did they find someone competent to judge how well a concertina had been made?
OK, now for the serious question. They say that concertina was popular in America and it certainly should have been and would go very well in lots of styles. Trouble is, although I collect lots of styles of American roots music, I can’t think of a single style that employs concertina extensively. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa—concertina was everywhere. But not, to my knowledge, in the USA. I asked once before on this board what American styles concertina was used in and didn’t get a single reply. So, anyone know?
A friend of mine here has a Tedrow concertina and I am anxiously awaiting a test run later this month. I’ve got my eye on Tedrow’s new Mini-Concertina, still in development apparently. I’ve heard lots of good things about his work.
I contacted him a few months ago about details on the mini instrument but he didn’t seem to have the time to email me information. Fair enough, I chose not to call when he suggested it, so we’re even. A shame - but as I can’t realistically afford the instrument anyway yet, maybe it was a good thing. Once I have a Real Job I’ll try again.
(edited to note that Dale has seen four days into the future to post that news article. Wonder if he spotted the lottery numbers while he was there!)
Cool! I’ll take a ride down the Parkway and check 'em out.
BTW, for anyone planning a road trip along the BRP in western NC, the Folk Art Center is a must…nothing even remotely cutesy-schlocky on display there, only top-drawer artisans. A wonderful place. (Bring money).
Biltmore Estate is always lovely… but more so at Christmas time…or in the spring (Rose Festival)…or fall (Michaelmas), as you probably already know. Bribe her with dinner at the Grove Park Inn: She’ll come willingly!
Take a look here; map at the bottom of the first page, as well as more info http://www.southernhighlandguild.org/folkart.html It’s easy to get to from I-40.
Hi Everyone,
I met Bob Tedrow at Dublin Fest in 1999 and we became friends immediately. Bob is a great guy and lots of fun to talk to. but he takes his instrument making very seriously. Bob has been able to achieve something very special in his design of the bellows for his concertinas. The workmanship and love he puts into all his work is a part of what and who he is. Dale, anyone would be proud to call him a friend and I am proud to call him a friend and to know him as a collegue as an instrument maker. He is a true artist and richly deserves this honor.
Michael Burke
Well, I do appreciate that update–as I was planning to go check them out this weekend! I’ll look forward to enjoying the display next year, then… and this weekend just look at piles of leaves, or something, instead.
