Bobbe Seymour HOF Plaque

[Bill Ferguson]

OK steelers,

I have a question and would like some opinions.

A friend of mine that I just met when we moved to Florida in April, bought one of Bobbe Seymour's personal Emmons steels from Steel Guitars Nashville and absolutely loves it.

It was rebuilt by Buck Reid, so that explains why it is such a great Emmons Push Pull.

Along with the steel, they gave him Bobbe Seymour's HOF Plaque. Wow.

Now, here is my question.
My friend says that since I have done so much for the steel guitar, he wants me to have Bobbe's plaqu, since Bobbe and I were friends for many years. (even though I did not always agree with him)

I am humbled but wonder just what would I do with it.
And please, no wise cracks like "Melt it down and get the money for the metal".

This is a great gesture, but I just can't decide whether to accept or decline.

Your thoughts welcome please.

[Donny Hinson]

It's probably just a duplicate of the one that Scotty had in his big display in St. Louis. I dunno...if you don't want it, maybe someone in Bobbe's family would like to have it?

Or maybe the Musical Instrument Museum* in Phoenix might use it for a display?

* https://www.mim.org/

[Bill Ferguson]

Scotty had to Hall of Fame plaques made for each player. One to go on the wall at the hotel and one for the player himself. This is the one that was given to him. There is no family.

[Charley Hill]

Bill

I think he had a daughter living in Dallas? You can clarify that with Steel Guitars of Nashville.

C

[Dale Rottacker]

Bill, I doubt it could be in better hands

[Fred Justice]

Bill all I can tell you is this.
It says in the Bible, to refuse a gift is to rob that man of his blessing. just saying.

[Carl Williams]

Bill,
It seems that Bobbe’s life for so many years revolved around his steel guitar store...he dealt with a great number of us from this venue. What about allowing or donating the plaque to hang in the old/new store (Steel Guitars of Nashville). I’ll bet a lot of us still do business there. Just a thought...Carl

[Jack Goodson]

bill

[Bill Ferguson]

Let me clarify and answer your comments (which I sincerely appreciate).

Charley Hill: I don't know about a daughter, but if there is, I am sure it was offered to her first with Bobbe's estate.

Dale Rottacker: Thank you for the kind words.

Fred Justice: You are absolutely right and thank you for saying that.

Carl Williams: That is who gave the plaque to my friend. They did not want it.

Jack Goodson: I am not offering to give the plaque away. I can hang it beside my Atlanta Country Music HOF Plaque and my GaSGA Legend Plaque.

I was just after some thoughts as to whether I should accept this gift. It's not something that I need, but it is something that I would take care of. Then when I die, my family could give it to someone. These plaques weigh about 100 pounds, so I would have to have a solid wall in our new home (whenever we find one).

[Herb Steiner]

Not all the plaques were made in duplicate. In the last years I was on the HOF board (2003-2013), the money just wasn't there to have 4 plaques made since they cost over 2000 each. The inductee was offered the opportunity to buy one himself when the casting was made. Bobbe chose to get one, I'm sure.

[Fred Treece]

100 pounds? That’s a big plaque. You mentioned melting it down as a joke, but seriously, you could make 4 plaques out of that one and still include one for Bobbe. Also, maybe the people at Steel Resolve could offer some suggestions. I imagine this is not a unique situation, and the last thing such an honorary item deserves is to be treated like grandpa’s dusty old bowling trophies.

[Bill Ferguson]

I have decided to accept this plaque since Bobbe and I were friends.
I never did any business with him, just friends.

So while we are living temporarilly at our daughters farm, it will go into storage with our other belongings.

Once we find a new home, I will then decide what to do with it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Don R Brown]

Bill,
It seems that Bobbe’s life for so many years revolved around his steel guitar store...he dealt with a great number of us from this venue. What about allowing or donating the plaque to hang in the old/new store (Steel Guitars of Nashville). I’ll bet a lot of us still do business there. Just a thought...Carl

If you re-read the original post, that's who gave it to him in the first place. Nice thought, though!

[Carl Williams]

Thanks Don...yes, Bill pointed this out to me in a post above. Glad Bill will get the plaque. Carl

[Don R Brown]

Carl, looks like we each missed something. Don't know if I'm the pot or the kettle, but I'll plead guilty either way!

[Tim Harr]

Perhaps you could donate it to the Country Music Hall of Fame. There is a section that has a really nice Steel Guitar display and historical section. Think of how many people who would have a chance to enjoy that. Again, I believe you could still own it and place it there on loan. Just a couple of idea.

[Bill Ferguson]

Tim.
They do not want it. It has been offered to so many places, but no interest.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Just proves, the powers to be could care less about steel guitar and the players who play it.

[Herb Steiner]

We even made the offer of the plaques to the Theremin Hall of Fame, but they didn't want to touch it.