Ron Lashley Sr. for SGHOF..............

Charles Curtis · Posted 14 Sep 2006 4:36 am

I only had two meetings with Ron Sr., many years ago, but my experience as an Emmons guitar owner and the pleasure these have given me has been immeasurable. I didn't know Ron Sr. that well, but I believe that his knowledge of physics, etc. must have went into the creation of this guitar. I'm not familiar with the other exact input from other sources that must have contributed (I don't want to offend anyone and I am trying to parse my words carefully, I'm getting quite old and I have to really think several times to come close to getting my thoughts acceptable in order to create a good base for discussion), also I'm sure that there are others out there that knew him and are more familiar with it's beginnings. I hope that some or you that knew Ron Sr better than me will come in here. I am always intrigued with those have been blessed with such talent, that I have never had, and I believe that their lives bear attention. I would hope it tacit that I have been a huge fan of Buddy Emmons since I first saw him with ET many years ago and I continue to enjoy his music and wonder at his amazing ability and talent. Thank you for bearing with me in this endeavor.

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Why not Jr too?

EJL

Barry Blackwood · Posted 14 Sep 2006 7:23 am

I have no personal experience with this at all not being an Emmons owner, but I have read so many customer-service related horror stories on the Forum regarding the company, that maybe this would not be a good idea? Besides, wouldn't this discriminate against all the other great manufacturers out there?

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Barry,
Please remember:

Don't believe anything you

read and only 1/2 of what you see!

Barry Blackwood · Posted 14 Sep 2006 11:14 am

I thought it was ..."anything you HEAR."

Charles Curtis · Posted 14 Sep 2006 4:39 pm

Eric, that's not a bad idea; I didn't mean to slight Ron Jr., he has been very kind to me and many others. As to some of the complaints that have been posted here, in regard to the Emmons company, I personally didn't believe them and don't to this day. Other times there can be miscommunication and due to a heavy workload and a delay in getting to a customer's complaint, can be a problem and it seems to me that we hear it here. And I don't think that it's easy to "tool up" (add additional workers) for what can be a short term demand, and train someone easily to build this instrument and maintain the quality exibited in the Emmons psg. I am hoping to collect history here from people that knew Ron Sr. I remember way back that they also sold instruction courses.
I would also think it logical that their outstanding customer register far outnumbers any resonable complaints since 1964. I don't want to quarrel over negative comments here, but to celebrate a unique life that IMO, has brought a lot of happiness to a lot of musicians. I sure wish Carl would post here again.

smike · From: oakland, ca

getting someone nominated for the hof is kind of like winning the lottery... there's little chance of winning if you don't buy a ticket, and there's little chance of them getting nominated if you don't follow the nomination procedure:

1. Name and list the notable artists and bands with whom the nominee has performed and recorded, as well as the duration.

2. Describe any touring history of the nominee, the length of that touring, and the names of touring bands or artists that he/she has performed with. If the nominee was primarily a club musician, list the names and locations of those clubs and the years spent in club performing.

3. Describe the influences the nominee may have had on other players, such as projecting an identifiable style of playing and innovative musical executions. Provide examples of his/her professional expertise, playing prowess, dramatic delivery, etc. and explain how these qualities influenced others to take up the instrument.

4. List the nominee's recordings as a side musician with vocal artists and his/her instrumental recordings. Assess those musical productions for their quality, innovation, and what influence such may have had on other steel guitar players. List any compositions that may have become classic recordings (tunes that other players feel compelled to learn and likewise perform).

5. Describe the nominee's efforts as an instructor, innovations in teaching methods and notable students who learned from the nominee and also pursued a professional music career. List all other instructional materials published by the nominee and any other writings that advanced the musical performance and/or contributed to the public knowledge of the steel guitar.

6. If the nominee has been involved in the manufacture of steel guitars, explain any mechanical innovations and craftsmanship examples that he/she brought to the guitar building industry and/or enhanced the performing capabilities of the instrument. How long was the nominee engaged in this activity?

7. List other activities the nominee has engaged in that advanced the instrument, expanded public knowledge and acceptance of the instrument, or aided in its proliferation. Examples of such activities might include promoting and/or conducting concerts, forming steel guitar clubs, organizing promotional events, producing, writing and publishing, etc. List the continuous years the nominee devoted to these various activities.

The Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame, Inc.
9535 Midland Blvd. * St. Louis, MO. 63114-3314
314-427-7794 Phone * 314-427-0516 Fax

Jennings Ward · From: Edgewater, Florida, R.I.P.

IN MY OPINION: RON LASHLEY SR. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED VERY SERIOUSLY FOR THE SGHOF, AND ELECTED ON THE FIRST BALLOT.......WHO ELSE DO YOU KNOW THAT BUILT AND PROMOTED THE STEEL GUITAR MORE THAN RON AND SHOT JACKSON IN COHORTS WITH BUFDY EMMONS...ALL ARE FIRST RATE CHOICES, IMHO...VERY DESERVING, AS MUCH AS ANYONE......THANK YOU....JW U PK;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, + D'ANGELICO
N. 400

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I believe what Ron Sr. & BE done with the Emmons guitar is still the measuring stick for todays guitars. I'm still amazed everytime I hear someone talking about the early Emmons guitar days. Even the idea BE came up with on the logo with the Viceroy cigarette pack. Truly a genius!

Tom Hodgin · From: greensboro, n.c. u.s.a.

Eric, you do mean Dale Jr. don't you..??

joe long · From: San Antonio, Texas

I believe the important thing here is, Ron Sr. and Buddy designed and produced a steelguitar which is still used for comparision by other builders to this day. In opinion the current reputation of the company, whether it be good or bad, does not matter.

As Bobbe Seymour has stated many times, when the Emmons steel was desigend there were no other steels to copy from. Ron Sr. and Buddy forged new ground with the Emmons guitar.

Bob Hempker · From: Goodlettsville, TN.

Ronald was a "class act" in every aspect. When I was on the road, he would drive to anywhere within a couple hundred miles from Burlington to check on my guitar, and to visit, and ask if I needed anything. He treated the professionals with complete respect. He not only built a great guitar, but did his best to make sure everyone playing them was happy with their instrument. He had the very best working for him, also. Fred Trogden in the '70's, and Bryan Adams and Doug Palmer after Fred passed away. Ron would also get out of bed in the middle of the night, if you called him and needed something. He would get whatever you asked for, drive to Greensboro, the nearest airport, and have it on a plane to you. I miss Ronald very much.

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[This message was edited by Bob Hempker on 21 September 2006 at 06:34 PM.]

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

Bob is spot-on in his assessment of Ron Sr...

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http://home.comcast.net/~steves_garage

Charles Curtis · Posted 19 Sep 2006 4:43 am

I have always tried to do the "right" thing in this life. Years ago, while on active duty in the military, I took a position, gave ideas that were used in a military training film that I suppose were somewhat controversial to benefit many. I think in large part what I did contributed to me spending the last four years of my career as an E-7 and at times, "walking on egg shells". Would I do it again? Yes, because IMO it was the right thing to do. I feel as strong about this nomination because, IMO, it is also the right thing to do. I only wish that I had done it sooner while some others were still in this life to contribute. I don't know if Ron Sr. ever played with a band but I know he could play the psg. I respect any man who starts a company, works hard, meets a payroll and builds such perfection.

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

Let's put Ron Jr. in!

Charles Curtis · Posted 20 Sep 2006 8:37 am

Hi Bobbe, I just thought the plaque might read something like, "Ron Lashley Sr., who with Buddy Emmons developed etc.... Hopefully, any past disagreements, if any, could be forgiven and just remember the good times.

Mike Weirauch · From: Harrisburg, Illinois**The Hub of the Universe

If you put Ron Sr. in then when does Paul A. Bigsby, Leo Fender and the likes of them go in? Ron Lashley Sr. may have been a prince of a person but being that and owning a guitar co. does not qualify him for HOF material in my opinion.

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Agreed, Mike. Add Bud Carter to the list.

In what, Bobbe?

Charles Curtis · Posted 20 Sep 2006 1:51 pm

I hope that I'll be around to enjoy a book about the early pioneers of the psg and be able to grasp some of the gist as to the tunings and pedal setups that they employed. Let me also add that I am a fan of Bud Carter and Gene Fields. My focus here is the beginnings of the Emmons push-pull design and the Emmons sound. I enjoy the sounds of other psg and it usually depends on who's sitting behind it. It must have taken a lot of thinking and energy to get this great company started; I would like to know more from those who were around "way back", when they got a wheel off the ground. I personally can't scratch the surface compared to Bobbe or the late Jimmie Crawford or others who were in the business way back. I'm sure that other musicians are happy with other brand psg; I just happen to have a great Emmons and I marvell at the technology of this guitar and the sound, and I ponder the mind of Ron Sr.

Dennis Manuel · From: Quesnel, B.C., Canada

Charles is right on the money and I believe Ron should be nominated.

The old Emmons P/P guitars are what every manufacturer, or at least those I have spoken to, compares the sound of their guitar too.

Ron once told me that there are 7 secrets to making a steel guitar and he mentioned only one company came close at 6. I asked what the secrets were and he said thats why they are secrets son.

[This message was edited by Dennis Manuel on 22 September 2006 at 06:48 PM.]

Charles Curtis · Posted 26 Sep 2006 3:44 pm

I have received wonderful support from Buddy Cage via e-mail for Ron Sr. I, (Buddy Cage), met Ron Sr. in 1961 and knew him until his passing and want him to get the credit he so richly deserves. It's "criminal" that Ron Sr. hasn't been given more "ink" in the past.
A great endorsement, IMO, from a fantastic musician.

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