|
|
"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 occassionally 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
Welcome to WTWO-TV
& FOX 38 as sponsor
for their 2nd year. | 
| |
Thanks to Jeff Bose for
helping out with a tent
this year.
Garrett Buis, with his parents
Polly & RIchard, is the
receipient of the 1st
scholarship from
Bluegrass For Billy.
Thanks to Hamilton Center for
their support of BFB.
This is their 2nd year.
Thanks to "The Crock" for their
2nd year of support of BFB.
|
|
|
|
BFB presents American Cancer Society $2000
Dave Amerman, BFB Chr., presents ACS Rep., Billie Kaufman check from the 2007 BFB. Thanks to ALL for their support.
BluegrassFor Billy 2007 Flyer
Print your own BFB flyer
view as a PDF file
BFB - The Day After
(click above for the wrap up of BFB 2006)
Billy's Grandson
 
William (Billy) Steven Jackson was
born Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006
to Brent & Kristi (Reed) Jackson.
This is the youngest of
Billy Reed's grandchildren.
Little Billy will get to celebrate
his 2nd birthday with us...pickin', of course!!!
Sunday Morning Service
Join us Sunday morning for church on the
grounds. The morning begins with
Bluegrass Gospel music from 9AM - 12PM.
The morning worship starts at 10AM
with local pastor Rev. Tom Roeschlein bringing the message.
Birch Creek & Salt Cured are among the groups playing gospel sets Sunday morning.
"Slow Jam 2008"
What is a "Slow Jam?" One thing it isn't...a thick spread for your bread...Daryl!
One thing it is...an opportunity for young pickers & those just learning bluegrass to follow Billy's invitation to," Get 'em out & pick." This provides those just starting out in bluegrass a chance to pick without feeling overwhelmed by more experienced pickers. Songs will be slowed down to a comfortable pace so everyone can join in & play. Monday, Sept. 1 around 2:00 pm, Mark Grayless of Union Christian Church in Terre Haute, will lead this year's "slow jam". Thanks for the great idea, Mark. Billy would have loved this idea. Just another way to encourage the next generation of Bluegrass Pickers!
It's Back!!!
After much negotiation with the new owner, the autographed guitar originally
donated by Kolin Brown, won by Donna Amerman and is now property of Chip Cooprider. He graciously offered it up for auction this year.
Chip hopes that this year's winner would also consider donating it back to the BFB
festival for auction. He thought it would be a nice gesture...kind of like a traveling
trophy. Next time you see Chip, tell him thanks for being so thoughtful & community
minded.
BFB T-Shirts
Thanks to Kevin & Marsha Higgins at
A+ Printing in Brazil for their help with
the t-shirts again this year. Stop by or call them at
812-443-1007 or email at innovprint@earthlink.net
Click Here To View & Post Your Message
Emcees
Dean Metcalf -"Bob & Tom" Radio Show Producer - WFBQ-FM 94.7
Indianapolis, IN. - www.bobandtom.com
Larry Moss - Moss Wealth Advisors - Clay City, IN.
http://www.mosswealth.com
Bud Jeffers - Seasoned musician and storyteller.
Cary Fields- Radio Show Host - Fields Of Bluegrass
WICR-FM 88.7 - Indianapolis, IN - www.fieldsofbluegrass.com
Sound & Lighting
Copperhead Sound - John DeAngelis - Decatur, IL.
(217)-423-7046 - copperheadsound@aol.com
Thanks to Shields Hardware for their participation
in Bluegrass For Billy. This is their 3rd year of support.
|
