Obit: fiddler Benton Flippen,1920-Jun 28, 2011

Subject: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: nickp
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 03:28 AM

Another great oldtime fiddler gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 05:08 AM

Benton was not only a wonderful musician, but also a great person to be with. The time that I spent sitting with him on his verandah listening to him talk about music and the musicians he had known will stay with me for ever, as will the times that I heard him play. We are lucky that so much of his music was recorded. My thoughts are with his family and many, many friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: nickp
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 05:11 AM

Indeed, Mike, those cds are well worth having. Had the pleasure of seeing him perform a few years ago. A real treat.
Nick

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: BanjoRay
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 07:08 AM

I got to play with Benton at his home in Mount Airy in 2006, a few months before the sad death of his wife. They were a lovely couple, and Benton was very keen to play some tunes. He seemed like a very old man, but when he picked up his fiddle the years just fell away. The power and drive of his playing was stunning. He's left a great influence on many a good Old Time fiddler, and a lot of happy memories. Mount Airy and Galax won't be the same....

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: GUEST,Suzy T.
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 12:05 PM

We were very fortunate to have hosted Benton twice at the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention (one of a very few to have made a return appearance). He sure was tapped into some deep thing -- the first time I heard him play, it made me cry for some unknown reason, and I had exactly the same reaction the first time I heard Dewey Balfa play.
He also was very self-effacing and shy, didn't say much but let the fiddle say it all. HIs original tunes like Benton's Dream will live forever! I wish he could have too but 91 is a good long life and I know he really missed his wife. Many many thanks to Paul Brown for bringing Benton to Berkeley - that was a dream come true for all of us who were there.

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: GUEST,Hootenany
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 01:40 PM

The Mount Airy Convention won't be the same without seeng Wayne Jarrell at his regular pitch and Benton Flippen jamming before taking his place in the line up for the competition but at least the music will lve on.

Hoot.

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 05:05 PM

The Southern Folklife Collection shared this video, via Facebook:
David Holt interview with Benton Flippen

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Obit: Benton Flippen, Jul 18 1920-Jun 28, 2011
From: GUEST,steve s
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 10:25 PM

hold on to your memories...

s.