Died On This Date (January 29, 2011) Sterling Belcher / Bluegrass Festival Founder
themusicsover Sterling Belcher
June 14, 1939 – January 29, 2011
Sterling Belcher was a music promoter who founded the Festival of The Pines in Rocky Point, Virginia in 1981. A tireless lover of bluegrass music, Belcher brought such acts as Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, Jimmy Martin and Rhonda Vincent to the sleepy surroundings of Tripple Creek Music Campground throughout the years. He regularly received recognition for his commitment to bluegrass music from local, regional and national music associations. Sterling Belcher was 71 when he passed away on January 29, 2011.
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 was a guitarist and singer who has been called the “King Of Bluegrass.” While looking to get his break in 1949, Martin sneaked backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and positioned himself so that passersby could hear him picking. On such person was the Blue Grass Boys’ Rudy Lyle who was impressed enough to bring Martin to meet his boss, Bill Monroe. After hearing just two songs, Monroe was so impressed by Martin’s picking and strong tenor voice that he hired him on the spot. He stayed with Monroe for the better part of the next six years and then soon thereafter formed his own band, the Sunny Mountain Boys. Martin built a name for himself with his unique voice as well as with his fun and unpredictable lives shows. In 1971, he performed on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s landmark album Will The Circle Be Unbroken. Jimmy Martin was 77 when he died of bladder cancer on May 14, 2005.