Master Mandolin Maker
Vernon at about 14
Mark & Vance playing music as teenagers
To listen to Vernon on singing and playing gonna-be-moving just click on the link. In this song he sings all three parts himself.
I am so proud of my brother, Vernon Bowling. He is a professional musician and a craftsman. He can make anything from wood and if it has strings attached, even better. I remember when I was just a little girl living in a log cabin on Big Branch of Coon Creek in Leslie County. We did not have electricity until I was 10 years old. We lit our world with coal oil lamps after the sun went down. Dad always worked away from home of the day because he was a carpenter. I had 5 brothers and all 5 of them learned the skill. I believe the nac for working in wood was inherited. I have twin sons who are carpenters too. Our great,great grandfather, Jackson (John)Bowling was listed in the 1860 census data as a chair-maker. I guess they get it naturally!
Mom and the older boys always made a big garden and cornfield. After they worked all day in the hot corn field they would come in and eat supper then get out the guitars, mandolins and fiddles. They would play and sing until dark. On the weekends was the same. I always loved it. I can remember being small enough to walk under my brother Vance’s leg where he had proped it up on a handmade chair to play the guitar. Vance taught me to play the guitar when I was 12 years old. I sure do miss those times.
There was always a half finished instrument laying around. Vernon was always working on them even back then. Today he is a true craftsman. His mandolins are the best sounding anywhere. He started making instruments when he was 14 or 15 and has perfected his skill. He still makes a one of a kind mandolin and has them for sale now. He also has made several bluegrass gospel CDs. As you can see by the pictures his work is based in our history.
If you are interested in a CD or a mandolin you can contact him by phone at 765-825-1930. We talk frequently but I can’t get him to connect to the Internet. You can also contact me at 1coolgranny.lou@gmail.com.
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