I only met Bill Emerson a couple of times up in Nashville, but those brief times were lasting memories for me. Although I am self-taught on all the instruments I play, only in my later years did I look to others to advance my skills both as a musician and a teacher. Bill was there as was his practice throughout life, to offer instruction to so many banjo players, including me. He recently passed away.

Although I don’t usually get folks to sign my instruments, because my banjo is a Bill Emerson model Stelling Red Fox, I decided to get him to sign the banjo head one year at Nashcamp. He played a song or two on my banjo before signing it, I guess that only makes sense. I believe it was Theme Time, and a bit of Fox on the Run, if I recall correctly, both tunes for which he was well-known. Notice too, his signature on the banjo head is like the one in-layed on the 19th fret.

Farewell, my friend! You are remembered and missed. I will always remember your sage advise!