Stevespickn - Posted - 07/23/2026:  09:25:13

Curtis Blackwell, an old bluegrass boy in Bill’s band, and giant in the bluegrass field has passed. I had the pleasure on playing banjo with him several times through the years. RIP my friend.

Edited by - Stevespickn on 07/23/2026 09:48:19

Bob Buckingham - Posted - 07/23/2026:  14:31:21

We are getting to that age aren't we Steve? When the good-byes out number the hellos at times.

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/23/2026:  17:11:50

Was Curtis Blackwell a fiddler in a N. Carolina band? And he had a partner who was also a fiddler and his name was tied with Curtis as co-leader of the band? I can't remember that band, but they were as traditional as they came in the 1960s-70s.

Bronx banjo - Posted - 07/23/2026:  19:29:13

I have an LP by Randall Collins and Curtis Blackwell. Is he the same person?

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/23/2026:  19:34:31

Bronxbanjo, that's the two fiddlers I was trying to link in my question.

Supposedly Norman Blake named his song "Randall Collins" after that fiddler, as a joke.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 07/23/2026 19:35:09

HSmith - Posted - 07/23/2026:  23:58:53

One of my favourite albums from many years ago is "Shadows Of Time" by Randall Collins, Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys with Larry Richardson on mandolin and Al Osteen on banjo. It's superb, straight ahead bluegrass in the classic mould and the singing and playing is unsurpassed in quality. Sad to hear of Curtis Blackwell's passing.

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/24/2026:  12:10:20

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Buckingham

We are getting to that age aren't we Steve? When the good-byes out number the hellos at times.

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Don't talk like that.  You and Steve are my mentors.

BanjoLink - Posted - 07/24/2026:  13:00:54

quote:

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Originally posted by HSmith

One of my favourite albums from many years ago is "Shadows Of Time" by Randall Collins, Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys with Larry Richardson on mandolin and Al Osteen on banjo. It's superb, straight ahead bluegrass in the classic mould and the singing and playing is unsurpassed in quality. Sad to hear of Curtis Blackwell's passing.

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That would have been Larry Jefferson on mandoln.  Al Osteen was a good friend of both me and Steve and was a great banjo player.

Edited by - BanjoLink on 07/24/2026 13:01:12

HSmith - Posted - 07/24/2026:  23:45:12

Apologies. John, you are of course correct. Larry Jefferson was the mandolin player. Guess my memory isn't what it was!

BanjoLink - Posted - 07/25/2026:  14:52:35

quote:

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Originally posted by HSmith

Apologies. John, you are of course correct. Larry Jefferson was the mandolin player. Guess my memory isn't what it was!

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No problem ..... all of that band was a bunch of great guys ..... some of whom passed way too young!