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"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
Welcome to WTWO-TV
& FOX 38 as sponsor
for their 2nd year. |
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Thanks to Jeff Bose for
helping out with a tent
this year.
Garrett Buis, with his parents
Polly & Richard, is the
recipient of the 1st
scholarship from
Bluegrass For Billy.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Bill Reed Scholarship. They are (l-r) Kendall Dickerson, Erica Kimmel & Nadia Kester. Good luck in your continued education.
Thanks to Hamilton Center for
their support of BFB.
This is their 3rd year.
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3rd Day Added
A 3rd day has been added to Bluegrass For Billy. Saturday, Sept. 5th will feature bands from the area. They will be performing in conjunction with Bluegrass For Billy...even though they don't play bluegrass. After speaking with area musicians, they wanted to help in supporting the fund raising efforts of Bluegrass For Billy. More information to come as bands are confirmed for the Saturday show. Check out the new tab for the entertainment schedule.
1st Saturday Band Confirmed
(July 27th) Dicky James & The Blue Flames will appear Saturday at (not so) Bluegrass For Billy. The premier blues quintet will give us a taste of the blues. Their tour stop in Saline City will be prior to headlining a full weekend at one of the country's best blues venues, The Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis.
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 aplusprinting@verizon.net
Click Here To View & Post Your Message
Emcees
Larry Moss - Moss Wealth Advisors - Clay City, IN.
http://www.mosswealth.com
Bud Jeffers - Seasoned musician and storyteller.
Dave Voltmer - host of "Rosie's Pickin' Parlor" - WMHD-FM 90.7
Terre Haute, IN.
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.
Look for more information on
WTWO-TV Channel 2 & WFXW-TV Channel 38
in August for this year's
Bluegrass For Billy.
Thanks to Shields Hardware for the
tireless support of this festival with their
sweat equity & financial contributions
Thanks, Fred & staff.
2009 BFB Flyer
PDF Format
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.
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 3rd birthday with us...pickin', of course!!!
"Slow Jam 2009"
What is a "Slow Jam?" One thing it isn't...backed up traffic.
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. 7th 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!
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