Died On This Date (March 16, 2011) Carlton Haney / Bluegrass Promoter

Carlton Haney
DOB Unknown – March 16, 2011

Photo by Marcia Goodman

Carlton Haney was a bluegrass and country music promoter who first came into the business while he was dating Bill Monroe’s daughter during the 1950s. It was during that time that he began booking shows for Monroe and eventually began managing bluegrass act, Reno & Smiley.  During the ’60s he became one of the first, if not THE first promoter to put together package shows that featured both bluegrass and country artists.  That lead to one of the America’s first successful multi-day bluegrass festivals which he launched over Labor Day weekend, 1965 in Fincastle, Virginia.  Over the course of his career, he was cited as a major contributor to the ultimate successes of such artists as Loretta Lynn, the Osbourne Brothers, Porter Waggoner, and Waylon Jennings, on whose Okie From Muskogee and The Fightin’ Side Of Me live albums, Haney can be heard introducing the singer.  He also penned a handful of bluegrass and country hits for others over the years.  Carlton Haney was 82 when he passed away on March 16, 2011.

Thanks to Janice Brooks at Bus of Real Country for the assist.

Died On This Date (February 12, 2011) Bud Reed / Bluegrass Pioneer

Ralph “Bud” Reed
January 16, 1918 – February 12, 2011

Bud Reed was a respected bluegrass and old-timey musician who will be forever linked with his wife and musical collaborator, Ola Belle Reed.  After serving his country during WWII, Reed came home to focus on a music career, mainly that of his wife.  He can be heard playing guitar and harmonica on several of her records.  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.  In 1982, Reed cut his own album, a tribute to the songs of Jimmie Rodgers.  Bud Reed was 93 when he passed away on February 12, 2011.



Died On This Date (September 21, 2010) Rual Yarbrough / Bluegrass Pioneer

Rual Yarbrough
January 13, 1930 – September 21, 2010

Rual Yarbrough was a respected banjoist who performed and recorded with some of biggest names in bluegrass.  Proficient on the banjo, Yarbrough formed his first band, the Dixie Gentlemen, during the mid 50s.  After the group broke up in 1966, Yarbrough went on to play in Jimmy Martin’s band.  From there he played with Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Bobby Smith, and the great Bill Monroe, for whom he played on over twenty records.  Rual Yarbrough was 80 when he died of pulmonary fibrosis on September 21, 2010.


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

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.

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Rising Sun Melodies - Ola Belle Reed

Died On This Date (August 3, 2008) Paul “Moon” Mullins / Bluegrass Fiddler & Radio Personality

Paul “Moon” Mullins
September 24, 1936 – August 3, 2008

Paul “Moon” Mullins was a fiddle player and disc jockey who entertained bluegrass fans through his radio programs in Kentucky and Ohio.  Mullins learned to play the fiddle while in the army from 1955 to 1958.  When he returned home, he joined Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys, playing fiddle.  Several years later, he became the announcer for Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Festival.  In 2007, Mullins was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.  He passed away in a nursing facility on August 3, 2008 at the age of 71.