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Died On This Date (August 16, 2002) Ola Belle Reed / Respected Folk Singer-Songwriter

Posted by themusicsover on August 16, 2010

Ola Belle Reed (Born Ola Campbell)
August 18, 1916 – August 16, 2002

Ola Belle Reed was a respected folk and old-timey singer-songwriter and banjo player.  She got her start playing with the North Carolina Ridge Runners in 1936.  In 1945, Reed was offered a slot in Roy Acuff’s band, but she declined.   In 1949, she married another musician, Bud Reed, who played with her both on record and live for many years to come.  Reed wrote upwards of 200 songs throughout her career, with a couple going on to be recorded by Del McCoury, Tim O’Brien and Marty Stuart.  Over the years, the Reeds opened a handful of music-themed amusement parks in Pennsylvania.  Legends likes of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and Ralph Stanley have all graced their stages from time to time.   Ola Belle Reed suffered a stroke in 1987 and remained bedridden until her death on August 16, 2002.  She would have been 86 the next day.

What You Should Own

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Rising Sun Melodies - Ola Belle Reed

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