They were "Doctors" of TGM. They wanted to be known as the greatest teachers in the business. While involved with TGM, their competitors were folks like Lynn Blake. Finding something different to teach was probably a good plan.
Kevin
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
Originally Homer deemed that GSED's would be awarded to A.I.s who "could do what I do". As the years went along and the need for growth , expansion presented itself Homer started to grant GSED's on a more honorary basis. For meritorious contributions to the brand if you will. Latter day owners had their own reasons for awarding GSED's.
Put simply some of the "Doctors" were confused by Homers ideas and came to the wrong interpretation of things. Cant say I blame them given the yellow book of riddles that it is. But these erroneous ideas, things, have a life.
So there's Doctors and then there's Doctors who approached being able to do what Homer could do, understand. This web site is a tribute to the latter level of knowledge.... mixed in with some other complimentary stuff of course.
Being a GSED does not mean you understood Homer fully. Sadly.
Originally Homer deemed that GSED's would be awarded to A.I.s who "could do what I do". As the years went along and the need for growth , expansion presented it self Homer started to grant GSED's on a more honorary basis. For meritorious contributions to the brand if you will. Latter day owners had their own reasons for awarding GSED's.
So there's Doctors and then there's Doctors who approach being able to do what Homer could do. This web site is a tribute to the latter.
Right on Bro!!!
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
Originally Homer deemed that GSED's would be awarded to A.I.s who "could do what I do". As the years went along and the need for growth , expansion presented itself Homer started to grant GSED's on a more honorary basis. For meritorious contributions to the brand if you will. Latter day owners had their own reasons for awarding GSED's.
Homer Kelley awarded only two GSEDs. One to Ben Doyle, as the first Authorized Instructor. Then to Bobby Clampett, Doyle's student, as the first recognized TGM performer.
Sally Kelley, his widow, awarded a number of GSEDs over the next twenty years (on the basis you have mentioned above). Subsequent owners, first co-owners Joe Daniels and Danny Elkins, then Joe solo after arbitration and a buyout, awarded only two more, both on the same day. One to me and another to Brian Manzella. He was shocked to learn of the award. I was not.
Why?
Because I was with Danny and Joe the day and minute it happened. In fact, I was the catalyst who made both awards happen. This is the 'rest of the story' -- details omitted -- just one more thing BM thought he knew, but did not.