Hi!
I was trying to look into why the Stelling Red Fox was named the Red Fox. The Stelling website only states that it was "inspired by master banjoist Bill Emerson". Nothing else. I assumed it was because of his instrumental "Home of the Red Fox" and the album of the same name. But wasn't sure. "Fox on the Run", another popular tune is also tied to Bill's name.
Anyway, while looking into this I stumbled upon the following on Emerson's Wikipedia page:
"While recovering from a February 1972 drive-by shooting following a Country Gentlemen performance at the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland, Emerson again left the group. He joined the United States Navy in 1973. [...] In 1992, the Stelling Banjo Company issued an Emerson signature banjo model."
What? A drive-by shooting? With no source given whatsoever. I found other sources mentioning this elsewhere, but not much details. Does anyone know what this was about? And was the Red Fox Inn venue or the shooting or whatever else a part of the birth of this Stelling model?
I have no idea if it's truth or fiction, but Bill posts on here occasionally. Maybe he'll see your thread and comment.
quote:
Originally posted by TexasbanjoI have no idea if it's truth or fiction, but Bill posts on here occasionally. Maybe he'll see your thread and comment.
Bill passed away almost 5 years ago ago.
I can't answer your specific questions about Stelling, but I certainly remember the shooting incident.
The Country Gentlemen had been booked for a concert at the University Of Cincinnati on a date that was shortly after Emerson had been shot. The Gentlemen still made the concert date with a fellow named Tim Spradlin filling in for Emerson on banjo. Tim was a fine banjo player from Portsmouth, Ohio, who played regularly in Cincinnati with Earl Taylor and Jim McCall. Those of us who were aware of the shooting incident were surprised when Emerson showed up with the band. His arm was in a sling, and he couldn't play the banjo, but he could still sing his harmony part on the trios.
Thats the first i ever heard of Emerson being shot. The5es another Bill Emerson known as Wild Bill Emerson. There seens to be conflicting stories about any shooting of either
Edited by - stanleytone on 06/25/2026 09:22:04
I've lived most of my life in the same county as the Red Fox Inn, heard the Seldom Scene there almost every week the summer and early fall of 1972, and went to the Sunday jam there most weeks that same summer . . . and if I ever heard of Bill Emerson being shot there, I must have forgotten about it ages ago.
February 1972 was still a few months before my interest in banjo and bluegrass, so I would not have been there or even heard of the Country Gentlemen or the Red Fox (though I drove past or near it often).
That was, and still is, one of the safest places in Montgomery County (if not the whole DC area), so this is some strange anomaly.
quote:
Originally posted by danielburdettquote:
Originally posted by TexasbanjoI have no idea if it's truth or fiction, but Bill posts on here occasionally. Maybe he'll see your thread and comment.
Bill passed away almost 5 years ago ago.
Oops, I must be thinking about someone else. My apologies for the erroneous post.
Another mention of the incident:
"However, that link-up with the Country Gentlemen was abruptly terminated as in February 1972 in a frightful incident outside the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland, Emerson was the victim of a drive-by shooting, suffering a wound to his right forearm. When he had recovered fully he joined the U.S. Navy Band the next year, assuming the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer."
https://bluegrasstoday.com/on-this-day-53-bill-emerson-turns-80/
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