Jazzy J - Posted - 06/28/2011:  18:07:00

It has come to my attention on my facebook page that Old Time Musician Benton Flippen passed away today. It's a very sad day for Old Time Music. Everybody should play Benton's Dream tonight at 10:15 pm. That's something that we are trying to organize.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 06/29/2011 21:56:10

J-Walk - Posted - 06/28/2011:  18:29:02

For those who don't have that track, here's a YouTube of him playing it:

youtube.com/watch?v=3e1CBxkZN7E

Key of A.

Dock Jekel - Posted - 06/28/2011:  19:02:11

Sorry to hear. He gave a lot of musicians inspiration who were able to hear him play. Dock

revellfa - Posted - 06/28/2011:  19:13:56

David Holt's YouTube interview with Benton can really help people get to know him if they didn't already. He was a great fiddler and a pioneer (along with Wade Mainer who at 104 is still kicking) of the two-fingered banjo style.

banjoholic - Posted - 06/28/2011:  19:25:09

Very sorry to hear this.  Benton is one of my favorite fiddlers.  And he's a heck of a banjo picker, too.  :(

Kevin Fore - Posted - 06/28/2011:  19:32:23

This is one of my saddest days ever. He had been up doing fairly good at home till he had a heart attack yesterday morning. I set with him about 4 hours this morning he was a true friend of mine and he was just like my grandpa. If I wanted to play music  all I had to do was drive 5 miles to Benton's and he was always ready to play. Monday of last week I went over to carry him some green beans, taters and cornbread and we set and talked a while, he said let's strike up a tune. I said OK, I got the fiddle out for him and got out his old Kalamazoo banjo and we played for a hour and half and he played the prettiest Lonesome Road Blues in D I ever heard and other tunes I never heard him play. I was at a square dance in Sparta NC in 2000 where Benton was playing, I was just starting to play the banjo and he didn't have a banjo player, he came up to me and said Kevin don't you play the banjo? I said I'm just starting. He then said, do you have your banjo? I said it's behind the seat in the truck. He said go get it you got to learn somehow. So I stood on stage beside Benton for 3 hours trying to play them tunes. He told me if you play a square dance you'll learn them tunes.  But really it was more than the music he was my True Friend.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers

Kevin

ScottK - Posted - 06/28/2011:  19:37:19

Sad news to be sure. Kevin, my deep condolences to both you and Benton's family. It's a beautiful thing to have a friend like that.

Scott

majorwoody75006 - Posted - 06/28/2011:  19:39:05

RIP Benton!

paulaschumm - Posted - 06/28/2011:  20:15:28

He will be missed.

Paula

OT Banjo - Posted - 06/28/2011:  21:04:37

I am very sorry to hear this. I had only recently acquired a CD of Benton Flippen's music, and it had quickly become one of my favorites. Kevin, I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Thank you for telling us more about him.

derwood400 - Posted - 06/28/2011:  21:56:20

I'm so sorry to hear about Benton's passing. My sincere condolences to you Kevin. Friendship like that is so hard to come by. I love the Logan County Blues that Benton played. I never met him but I will miss him just the same.

GSCarson - Posted - 06/29/2011:  05:33:25

So sorry to hear of Benton's passing, I loved his playing and music.  What energy, passion and drive he had.  Kevin it sounds like you had a truly special relationship with Benton,  I'm sorry for your loss and for Benton's family and will be lifting you up. 

ramjo - Posted - 06/29/2011:  06:23:02

Very sorry for your loss, Kevin. A little solace may come from the fact that Paul Brown happened to be doing the news broadcasts on NPR this morning, and he worked in a short obituary about Benton. This certainly wouldn't have happened if Paul had a different assignment today. I'm glad the listeners have now heard of Benton, even if only in his passing.

Don Borchelt - Posted - 06/29/2011:  06:38:58

Another great one gone.

raybob - Posted - 06/29/2011:  06:54:18

Yes, I heard Paul Brown's short obituary as well. He also played with Benton. Sorry for your loss, Kevin.
RIP.

Kevin Fore - Posted - 06/29/2011:  11:53:46

Here is Benton's Obituary

moodyfuneralservices.com/new_v...?id=77042

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 06/29/2011:  13:05:16

I helped record the Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Union Grove for several years in the 70's. Benton was one fine fiddler and won fiddler of the festival several years. He was smooth as silk and hard to beat. R.I.P. Mr. Flippen, keep playing your golden fiddle for the Master...

Edited by - BNJOMAKR on 06/29/2011 13:05:49

ScottK - Posted - 06/29/2011:  20:36:01

Benton came out west to the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention in 2008 and 2009.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it down there.  But Mike Melnyk captured some great photos of both events including many of Benton.  Looking back at them now makes for a nice remembrance of him:

Berkeley Old Time Music Convention 2008 day 2

BOTMC 09 Highlights

Scott

p.s.  Note to Moderators:  Please move this topic back to "Other Banjo-Related Topics: Clawhammer/Old-Time" where it originated and belongs.  Thanks, Scott

Edited by - ScottK on 06/29/2011 20:37:43

Kevin Fore - Posted - 06/30/2011:  05:05:34

Today on WPAQ at 1pm EST they will be airing a special tribute to Benton. Some folks that played with him will be there talking and playing music. Benton was one of the first to perform in the test sessions before WPAQ officially went on the air Groundhog Day 1948 and he performed there right up till his passing.

Listen in today as we remember our friend Mr. Benton Flippen

wpaq740.com/oldtimebluegrassmu...line.aspx

Clawdan - Posted - 06/30/2011:  08:29:15

He will be missed.

Dan

BigStu - Posted - 06/30/2011:  09:07:55

Kevin - Thank you for your reminiscences and the information about the WPAQ broadcast. I only ever saw Benton play once but it will always be a treasured memory.

Couchie - Posted - 06/30/2011:  19:06:36

Sad news, another great musician has left us.

Banjophobic - Posted - 06/30/2011:  19:16:14

Yep, sad day for the music but he left us quite a legacy and many there are many good recordings of him to cherish. He doesnt live too far away from me and I grew up hearing him play at conventions and on WPAQ.

notserp89m - Posted - 07/01/2011:  10:34:43

He made a positive impact on the world. That's all you can hope for when you go.

bluemule_77 - Posted - 07/01/2011:  13:55:11

RIP.

gailg64 - Posted - 07/01/2011:  15:20:47

Tere's a video of Benton playing the banjo here:

youtube.com/watch?v=ioB...4E765356E8

quote:

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Originally posted by Jazzy J

It has come to my attention on my facebook page that Old Time Musician Benton Flippen passed away today. It's a very sad day for Old Time Music. Everybody should play Benton's Dream tonight at 10:15 pm. That's something that we are trying to organize.

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