My Better Half & Me

My name is Ronnie Nichols. I live in a little community in southeast Tennessee called Harrison. It is near Chattanooga, TN. This website was created to share some of my ideas and interests. These may include some of my woodworking and luthiery projects, some of my stringed instrument repair articles, my E Book (1956), some of my stringed musical instruments I’ve built, some of my music and videos, and generally whatever comes across my mind. Here is an audio clip that tells a lot about me. It is my recording of a song I wrote several years ago. The title is: “The Old School Days”. You may detect that I’m not interested in being politically correct and my values generally reflect a traditional way of thinking.

I’m now retired and have been happily married to my wife, Dene, for over 53 years. I enjoy woodworking, acoustic music, my family, and friends. We have three grown children, two grandchildren, and two great grand children.

     We used to be involved with a monthly Bluegrass Music Show called “The Snow Hill Bluegrass Jamboree” (which went on for over 17 years). It looks like the Chinese virus has brought this show to an end. We were forced to shut it down in March, 2020. It now appears that this shut down will be permanent. Due to all the restrictions that will be imposed on the crowds if we tried to reopen, Chief Harris and I have decided that we will not try to continue this show. We thank all our patrons and musicians for 17 years of fun and for being able to help the community. Maybe things will improve in the future, but it looks pretty bleak for live music venues at this point. A lot of our patrons were older folks and most of them are afraid to get in a large crowd at this time. I hope someone will jump in and continue the type show we had in this area. I think it was important to have such a venue, but I’ve had my 17 years at this and it is time for a younger generation to take over these duties. Several people have expressed to me an interest in continuing this type of show and I hope someone will step up and take it and continue this tradition somewhere in the area.

I also play acoustic type music (guitar and banjo) and used to sing at some senior events in the area and at some nursing homes and assisted living places until Covid. The name of my band is “Katie and The Moron Trio”. Although this sounds like a 3 piece band, it is a single act. I’ve written several songs through the years. I sing some of my original songs and some traditional ones that I have modernized or altered. I truly enjoy attempting to entertain folks. Pictured below is my homemade performing chair/gear hauler. It allows me to transport my equipment and then it unfolds and allows me to perform while sitting in it. Also, I sometimes play with some other guys as “The Harrison Grass” Bluegrass Band.

I do a limited amount of repair work on stringed instruments. You might see some articles on this site about some repair jobs I’ve done.

I’ve also built some traditional and non-traditional acoustic instruments.

 

I’ve built several banjos, guitars, basses, and other things. I’ve designed and developed several non-traditional banjos including some wooden topped ones. I also designed and built several Walloons like the one pictured below. These banjo like instruments feature a National type cone and are light weight (around 4 pounds or less).

I’ve spent a lot of years honing my skills at acoustic stringed instrument repairs. I only work on projects that interest me. I have also developed some banjo accessories including the Nichols Banjo Bridges, Nichols Banjo Armrests, Nichols Pick Boxes, Nichols Tuner Buttons, ETC.

I’ve also remodeled or converted some banjos and guitars to something that I felt sounded or played better. I have spent a lot of time experimenting with different things to enhance the sound of acoustic instruments or make them easier to play. I do not depend on this income to provide for my family as it is mostly for pleasure to me. I also enjoy other woodworking projects such as wood turning on a lathe and making tools and jigs.

I also have made some rings from 90% silver U.S. coins (mostly minted before 1965). I have always enjoyed working with my hands.

I’ll mention a couple of other things in which I have some interest. I did a lot of research a few years back on my family genealogy. I spent a good bit of time exploring my family history. I did a lot of research on the Nichols, Ballew, Smith, Davis, and Ward lines. Below is an article about my maternal great grandfather getting run over by a train in 1911. The article in the Cleveland, TN newspaper said he was “addicted to the drink habit”. My grandmother was one of the 2 children he left behind.

This is a tragic report of something that forever shaped my Mother’s family. I may add some genealogy pages to this site at a later date.

I also developed an interest in the hobby of metal detecting a few years ago. I enjoy searching mainly for coins . I have 2 metal detectors. Both are Minelabs. One is an Explorer and the other is an Equinox. I do this for fun and to get some exercise, too. I may make some videos about this in the future or add some pages here. Below is a picture of one of my recent finds. It is an 1893 Barber Quarter. Although it is 126 years old and 90% silver, these coins are not extremely valuable. Being in the ground for so long takes it’s toll on the condition of them. (Condition is an important factor in value on coins). It is enjoyable to find something buried in the ground that is this old, though.

On February 28, 2014, I had some surgery to remove a tumor from my head. The surgery was successful and the tumor was benign. I had a heart attack around the last of February, 2018. They installed a stent and I’m now doing pretty well for an old man. Going through all this made me realize more than ever how much God has blessed me. He gave me a wonderful family and He allowed me to get through these surgeries and to stay around this world a while longer. I give the Lord Jesus Christ all the credit and I seek to do whatever He left me around here to do. Going through these surgeries brought me closer to my Savior, my family, and my friends.

Below is a picture that was made around Christmas of 2009. It is hard to believe that this was over 12 years ago. Since then, my brother, Paul has died. He was my only brother and he was a great guy. All my family loved him. He taught me a lot of things and was one of the most giving persons I’ve ever known. We went through a lot of things together and never had a problem that we couldn’t work out. Looking back, I realize how much of a model of Christ he was to me. He had his flaws just like all the rest of us, but I truly think his life was more Christlike every day. We all miss him a lot.

Below is a picture of our family made at Christmas, 2017.

Here is a picture of our family at Christmas Eve, 2018.

Here are our 3 children.

I hope to use this website to share some of my interests and at the same time glorify Jesus Christ. This is not a preaching website, but I want you to know that anything I have built, written, or sung is because of His grace and mercy. He deserves all the credit. He is the One who keeps the blood coursing through our veins and this old world spinning in space.

I plan to post some articles on here about some of my woodworking projects, some of my original music, stories about things that interest me, links to my favorite sites, and so forth. Although this website is a .com site, this doesn’t mean that the main purpose for it is to sell things. The things you see listed on here may or may not be for sale. I’ve spent a lot of years developing some of these things and I want to share them with others. If you see something that interests you, let us know. Check back often for updates and added information. We welcome your comments.

   As of January, 2024, I have 343 videos on my YouTube Channel. I started out adding links to these videos on this website, but there are too many to list now. If you want to see any of these videos, here is a link to my channel’s home page: https://www.youtube.com/@harrisongrass/featured

      One more thing I want to add. As far as I know, free speech is still legal in this country. In these times, people are quick to criticize folks for what they say. I’m not running for public office and I really don’t mind if you disagree with me over anything. If you don’t like what is on this site, don’t look at it. Nobody is twisting your arm to see this site. I’m tired of these people who only look for something to disagree or gripe about. A fellow recently commented on one of my YouTube videos and said my voice was annoying but he watched it with the sound muted. I wondered if he was disappointed because I didn’t say “ax” instead of ask or because I didn’t say “You know” every few words. We sincerely appreciate your looking at our site, but I tend to share Grandpa Jones’ philosophy, (don’t give out any crap and take very little).

Here is my contact information:

Ronnie Nichols

8642 Brenda Drive

Harrison, TN 37341

Phone (423) 344-3213

Cell (423) 402-1019

Email: ronnienichols48@gmail.com

My YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/harrisongrass/featured