"I'm Bill Reed and I play the banjo...sometimes" was often how he was introduced on stage. The latter part of the intro was provided by the rest of his band, Birch Creek.

William Carl Reed, known to his friends as Billy, was raised just south of Clay City, Indiana in the small town of Middlebury. He attended Good Hope Baptist Church & was a 1967 graduate of Clay City High School. He was active in Baseball & was an artist. He was quite good at pencil sketches. Bill was drafted into the military & served in Germany. After his military service, he resided in Saline City, IN. which is about 6 miles north of Clay City. He lived there with his wife, Debbie & their 3 children Mark, Kristi & Tony. After hearing some neighbors play, Billy developed a true love for traditional Bluegrass music. He played banjo, bass, guitar & mandolin for over 30 years. He has influenced musicians from across Indiana & Illinois with his steady, hard driving style of banjo pickin'. Billy welcomed pickers of all ages and skill levels to jam with him. He encouraged you to get out your instrument & pick...that was Billy. He gave instrument lessons, but wouldn't take any money for it...however, he would occasionally accept baked goods. He was a kind & gentle man with a great sense of humor. Always quick with a smile, he often would offer to kiss a lady's hand & comment on her beauty saying," You're getting prettier every time I see you"...that was Billy, too. He was a friend to all who knew him. Billy was diagnosed with cancer in January 2005. He lost his battle with cancer in August 2005. Billy would be the first to help out someone in need. So in that spirit, we'd like to give something back to the community Billy Reed style...through the music he loved...Bluegrass. So here's to you Billy...with a BIG Jimmy Martin "G" run on the end. (He'd also be mad at all of us for making such a fuss over him...oh, well, that's what happens when you love & respect a guy like him.) 
 

       The Story of
  "Banjo Billy" Reed
by friend & co-worker,
     Phil Goodman

  

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