Back From The Road

08.03.2006- CST

We're back from the road, with many stories to tell...but that will have to wait for a more appropriate time.

We were shocked and saddened to hear this morning that Charlie Derrington was killed last night in Nashville by a drunk driver.

Charlie Derrington is probably most famous for putting Bill Monroe's Lloyd Loar, July 9th, 1923 mandolin back together after it was smashed to pieces with a fireplace poker. The bluegrass world held it's collective breath as Charlie worked his magic, often times working with pieces of wood no larger than splinters, using tweezers and a magnifying glass. It was an astounding job, and brought tears to Monroe's eyes, when it was returned to him after the repair. The fact that the mandolin retained most of its original tone is a testimony to Charlie's expertise.

Charlie was also largely instrumental in bringing Gibson back on top in the mandolin world today. Charlie had Gibson go back to all the original specs used in the mandolins of the 1920s, including the use of traditional dovetail neck joints, instead of the bolt-on necks of years past. Probably the best Loar reproduction being made today is the Gibson Master Model -- so close to a vintage Loar its scary, and you can, in part, thank Charlie for that.

Charlie was a fine singer and mandolin player, but most importantly he was a good friend to many people. His friend Mike Armistead writes, "Charlie did so much behind the scenes for bluegrass… making some of the best mandolins, repairing Monroe's mandolin, a great singer and picker, and just an all around good ole country boy, who loved humor and playing a good joke on someone."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Susan, daughter Anna, family, friends, and co-workers.

And for God's sake, think twice, think three times, and then think again before you get behind that wheel, especially if you've had a couple drinks. Not only are you taking your own life in your hands, you have that of everybody else on the road with you as well.

Talk atcha soon,

Buddy