Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Hosts Induction Ceremony June 12

Inductees Include Ralph Stanley, Ola Belle Reed and more

Ashe County native Ola Belle Reed (left) and bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley (right) are just two of the music legends slated to be inducted during the 2nd Annual Blue Ridge Music Hall induction ceremony.

Mike Cross, nationally known singer, songwriter and storyteller will serve as emcee for the 2nd Annual Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event will take place Friday, June 12, at the Walker Center on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro. Tickets to the induction ceremony are $25 and tickets for the ceremony and dinner are $75. Purchase tickets by clicking to www.walkercenteronline.org or by calling 336-838-6260. Dinner tickets are limited.

The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame is under the auspices of the Wilkes Heritage Museum where it is housed. The museum is located at 100 East Main Street in Wilkesboro. Partnerships (sponsorships) and program ads are still available.

For additional information, called Jennifer Furr at 336-667-3171 or click to www.wilkesheritagemuseum.com or www.blueridgemusichalloffame.com
2009 Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame inductees include nationally known artists Ralph and Carter Stanley, pioneer artist Ola Belle Reed, songwriter Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith, sideman and regional musician Eric Ellis, recording industry figure Mike Seeger and The Primitive Quartet in the gospel category.

Ralph and Carter Stanley grew up in the Clinch Mountain area of Virginia and are best known for their harmony and Carter’s distinct vocals, often called the best singer ever. The brothers formed the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946 and are considered the first band to reflect the Bill Monroe style known as bluegrass. Carter passed away in 1966 but Ralph and The Clinch Mountain Boys still perform today. Local favorites Doc Watson and David Johnson will honor the Stanley’s during the induction ceremony.

Originally from Grassy Creek in Ashe County, Ola Belle Reed grew up in Chester County, Pa. She began performing in 1936 with the North Carolina Ridge Runners, one of the first hillbilly bands in the Delaware-Maryland area, playing old-time banjo and guitar and performing old-time mountain songs. Later, she performed with her brother

Alex in the New River Boys. After Alex retired, Reed began performing with her husband and son. Ola Belle continued performing and writing music until unable to do so by illness. She passed away in 2002 one day before her 86th birthday. In addition to her performing, she is credited with writing or co-writing more than 200 songs reflecting a commitment to family, religious values and social justice. Several of Ola Belle Reed’s family will be performing at the induction. Jim Brooks from Ashe County, who played with the New River Boys, and his daughter Cindy Baucom, host of the syndicated webcast Knee Deep in Bluegrass, will be presenters.

Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith grew up in South Carolina with his musical interests staring at an early age. Smith arrived in Charlotte, after his time in the service becoming active in radio and later TV. He started writing as well as performing and has copy-written more than 500 songs with only one co-written. He started his own recording studio working with the likes of Johnny Cash and James Brown and published his first book in 1991, Apply It to Life. His move to TV with his family included 32 years with WBT Charlotte and was one of the first live TV broadcasts also becoming one of the first syndicated shows presenting many of his original works. Smith is semi-retired and still lives in the Charlotte area with his son overseeing his many musical business interests.  Smith plans to attend the ceremony on June 12 and will perform, health permitting.  His close friend Tom Gentry will be presenting.

Mike Seeger was born in New York into the well-known folk music Seeger family but grew up in Maryland. Although he is an accomplished musician playing autoharp, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, mouth harp, mandolin and Dobro and is known for his distinctive voice as heard in the New Lost City Ramblers, he is honored for his work with Folkways in the recording and production industry. After the Smithsonian acquired the Folkways music library, Seeger worked with Ralph Rinzler providing documentation and recreating many early musical recordings. Because of his work, our knowledge of the early days in the recording industry and the treasures from that time has been preserved.

Eric Ellis is a banjo player from Wilkes County. He works daily at the NCDOT but has built a popular regional career as a solo artist while playing with the likes of Bobby Hicks, Tony and Wyatt Rice and Jimmy Gaudreau. Ellis can often be seen on Friday mornings playing on the WKBC & Main Street Music and Pawn Shop Home Town Opry. He also has become a mentor to many young banjo players in the area. David Johnson, a 2008 inductee, will induct Eric who will be performing during the evening.

The Primitive Quartet has been together for more than 34 years traveling around the county spreading the gospel. Their unusual beginning was during a fishing trip when they discovered they could harmonize. With music, based on a shaped note style accompanied by acoustic instruments, they carry on the musical gospel heritage of their region.  National recognition has eluded them as they perform by choice within 300 miles of their home allowing them to spend more time with their families and their large following of friends. The Primitive Quartet will be performing and inducted by Wilkes County’s own John Wishon from WWWC.

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