Died On This Date (August 16, 2002) Ola Belle Reed / Respected Folk Singer-Songwriter
themusicsover 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
Jim Dickinson was a much respected Memphis musician and producer who is best remembered for his production work with the Replacements, Big Star, Alex Chilton, and Willy DeVille among others. As a musician, he played piano on such landmark songs as the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses,” and the Flamin’ Groovies “Teenage Head.” He’s also worked with the likes of Bob Dylan and Ry Cooder. Dickinson also released several acclaimed albums throughout his career. Talent runs in the Dickinson family, his sons Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson have a popular band, the North Mississippi Allstars. Jim Dickinson died in his sleep following heart surgery. He was 67.
Known as the “Godfather Of The Bass Guitar,” Robert Wilson was the founding bassist for influential funk group, the Gap Band. Formed in 1967 by brothers Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson, and Ronnie Wilson, the Gap Band went on to have several R&B hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s and helped define what we now call funk. Their hits include “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me),” and “Early In The Morning.” In recent years, their music could be heard as samples in songs by the likes of Nas, Snoop Dog, 
Lew DeWitt is best remembered as a singer and guitarist in the Statler Brothers. He also penned a handful of their songs, including “Since Then,” and “Flowers On The Wall” which made it to #4 on the Billboard singles chart in 1965. The song found a new audience thanks to its prominent placement in Pulp Fiction in 1994. In 1982, DeWitt left the group for health reasons. In 1990, DeWitt passed away after years of struggle with Chron’s disease.