BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — James L. “Jimmy” Webb is a name synonymous with music in Tomahawk. Webb, who has taken over his father’s music shop, James E. Webb Musical Repair and Sales, is not just a businessman but a central figure in the local music scene. He shared insight into his history and aspirations as the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club luncheon Thursday at Shufflin’ Café.
“I have inherited my dad’s music shop,” Webb stated, reflecting on his long-standing involvement in musical repair.
Webb, now retired from the Commonwealth Office of Technology, divides his time between Frankfort and Tomahawk, living “there three days a week and here four days a week.”
His dedication to music is evident in the activities at his shop on Milo Road. The shop is not just a place for repairs and sales but a cultural hub where Webb holds weekly concerts and workshops for banjo, fiddle and guitar and is “working on a mandolin workshop.”
This Saturday marks a special event at the shop, with Justin Branham of Jenkins leading a beginning bluegrass banjo workshop at 4 p.m., followed by a 45-minute concert and an open jam session. Webb plans to order family pizza around 5:30 p.m.
Webb’s deep involvement in the music scene goes way back.
“I’ve been involved heavily in the music scene through the years and have made quite a lot of friends,” he shared. This network allows him to bring a variety of teachers into the shop, enriching the musical offerings for the community.
One of Webb’s long-term goals is to start a pick and bow program in Martin County, modeled after the program at Hindman Settlement School. This aims to provide weekly music lessons to students, with bus transportation arranged for their return home, making music education accessible to all.
“They have one school that they go to once a week. They’ll have a guitar teacher, a fiddle teacher and a banjo teacher. Whatever traditional instruments students might be interested in, they’ll teach that once a week, and the school system will bus those kids home so that everybody gets an opportunity at no cost.”
Webb is securing a formal grant for this project, inspired by Hindman’s success in funding their program through South Arts.
Despite the tragic fire in 2022 that devastated Webb Musical Repair and Sales, Webb’s resilience shines through.
“Dad didn’t have insurance on it, so it took a while to get it built back,” Webb recalled, emphasizing his commitment to rebuild and continue the legacy. The shop was constructed by his grandparents in 1944.
Webb’s aspirations extend beyond traditional music repair and education. After retiring, he invested in machinery to repair instruments using computers, a nod to his background in technology. His skills have caught the attention of the Gold Tone Banjo Company, which has approached him to produce 400 banjo necks.
“I’m not quite there yet,” Webb humbly noted, acknowledging the challenges and his “big aspirations.”
Webb is working on a banjo neck that he plans to present to Gold Tone within the next two weeks. He brought one of the necks, crafted from rosewood, and let Kiwanis members look at it.
“It’s looking like if all goes well, I’ll have a contract to make banjo necks in Tomahawk,” he said. “The banjo that I’m working on the neck for retails for $2,400.”
Gold Tone has asked Webb to find a local source for cherry wood because their bestselling banjo is made of cherry. “It’s 400 necks a year, and I need 4×4 cherry quarter-sawed.”
Webb’s sons, known as the Webb Twins, exemplify a high level of musical talent handed down through the Webb family.
“You’ll not find any better traditional musicians in the state their age. One son has won the national banjo competition at Clifftop.” The Twins also won in string band at Clifftop.
The shop’s annual highlight is the Stidham Old-Time Music Association Gathering at the end of July.
“It’s going to be huge this year,” said Webb, adding that Stidham’s motto is “Spread more music and arts in Eastern Kentucky.”
Initially Webb intended to host only traditional music at the shop, but he has hosted bluegrass, country, rock and other genres. Musicians have traveled from as far as Australia.
“I don’t usually have a big turnout, but they all have a really good time.”
Last Saturday, he had up-and-coming 12-year-old bluegrass star Adalyn Ramey. On Sunday, John Haywood, who plays with Tyler Childers, was there, as was the Morehead School of Traditional Music.
Stidham recently became a nonprofit, and Webb is working with the Mountain Association on an upgraded website.
Webb’s love for music and community extends to ensuring inclusivity in his workshops and events. With a typical charge of $20 for workshops, he ensures that anyone who cannot pay is not turned away, and those under 16 are free. Concerts and jam sessions are open to all and always free.
As Webb continues to foster a music scene and legacy in Tomahawk, his story is set to reach a wider audience with an upcoming feature on KET’s Kentucky Life.