Distinguished Patrick Countian: Sammy Shelor
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
Sammy Shelor recently received the Distinguished Patrick Countian Award. It is good to see someone who goes out all over the WORLD (Bluegrass is big in Japan) as a representative of “The Free State of Patrick” get recognition for it. Sammy and his wife Sue have treated me very well and I support their efforts when I get the opportunity.
Read the article about Sammy and Sue in the October 2007 Showcase Magazine http://view.vcab.com/showvcab.aspx?vcabid=tUvejS4xyc
Sammy and Sue operate the Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft
P. O. Box 894
12134 Squirrel Spur Road
Meadows of Dan, VA 24120
Home Office: 540-593-3279
Shop Number: 276-952-6575
Email: sueshe@swva.net
http://www.mountainmeadowcrafts.com/
Events in 2008 at the Mountain Meadow
http://www.mountainmeadowcrafts.com/festival.htm
The Lonesome River Band
http://www.lonesomeriverband.com/
Sammy Shelor at CMT
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/shelor_sammy/artist.jhtml
Here is the PR from the High School: “Patrick County High School honored two native Patrick Countians last week at the annual awards presentation program. Bluegrass musician Sammy Shelor received the Distinguished Patrick Countian Award for 2008, and retired educator Larry Belcher received the Community Service Award. Plaques were presented to both men by members of the Distinguished Patrick Countian student committee, who also made the introductions. William Samuel Shelor was born Oct. 10, 1962. He grew up in Meadows of Dan and by age 10 was performing in local bands and at regional festivals. He graduated from Patrick County High School in 1981 and moved to Richmond. He worked with Heights of Grass and other bands, and toured the Caribbean with Heights of Grass for the U.S. Department of Defense. He also toured the Caribbean and Alaska with the Virginia Squires in 1984 and 1986. In 1990, Shelor returned to Meadows of Dan and joined the Lonesome River Band. He later left the band for six months and toured with Matthews, Wright and King, who opened for Reba McIntyre. In the spring of 1993, Shelor rejoined the Lonesome River Band and became a partner. In 2001, he gained full ownership of the band. The Lonesome River Band has toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, becoming one of the most popular bands in bluegrass–performing in venues as varied as festivals, benefits, weddings, private parties, theatre halls, the Grand Old Opry, and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The band has also performed at the Cambridge Folk Festival in England and at Country Night in Switzerland. The band received the Bluegrass Album of the Year in 1997 from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America, and has won three International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass Album of the Year in 1992, 1995, and 2006, as well as Instrumental of the Year in 2001. The Lonesome River Band has recorded 10 albums and is currently working in the studio to produce the 11th album. Shelor has performed as a guest with many well-known artists on CDs and in person throughout his career. He has been nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Banjo Player of the Year 14 times and won the title four consecutive years between 1995 and 1998. He was also awarded the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America’s Banjo Player of the Year title in 1999, 2002, and 2004. Shelor is active in the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail project to promote tourism in Southwest Virginia. He recently completed a CD with Linda Lay and just returned from a three-week tour throughout the western United States. Shelor also performed at the Virginia Festival of the Arts in Williamsburg.”
Sammy Shelor on the left with Larry Belcher, who received the Community Service Award.
Sammy’ Sister Leslie operates The Greenberry House
http://www.greenberryhouse.com/
Deb Goodrich noticed Sammy Shelor’s award too.
http://masondixonwildwest.blogspot.com/2008/03/sammy-shelor-titanic.html
