Tennessee Luthier Gene Horner has Died, Aged 91

Horner was a cornerstone of the local bluegrass and folk scene, with many Nashville musicians playing on his instruments

The east Tennessee violin-maker and luthier Gene Horner, who was beloved among local bluegrass and folk musicians for his fiddles, mandolins, and banjos, has passed away at the age of 91.

Born in 1933 to a family of fiddle players, Horner first began working in Lutherie as a teenager, when he sought to repair a family heirloom fiddle that both he and his brother had been playing on for years. He fixed up the same instrument once again in 1984, after it had been played for many more years.

As both a player and a luthier, Horner was self-taught. Throughout his prolific, 75-year career, he made 500 fiddles and about 60 mandolins, alongside occasional forays into the cello, viola, and double bass. Later in life he also learned to craft banjos.

His instruments were popular among players from Nashville, including musicians such as John Hartford, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Mel Tillis, and Kenny Sears.

In 2009, Horner was honored with a Texas Governor's Award for his contribution to the local music scene.

In accordance with Horner's wishes, there will be no memorial service — but his good friend Jack Hatfield will host a public jam in his honor next month in Knoxville. Anyone who plays on one of Horner's instruments is invited to this event.

Our condolences to Horner's family, friends, and colleagues.