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Smokey Valley Boys

Benton Flippen, one of the icons of old-time fiddling in America, was born and raised in a musical family in Surry County, North Carolina. Born in 1920, Flippen comes from a generation of great players at the epicenter of Southern mountain music. Among his contemporaries were Tommy Jarrell, Fred Cockerham, Kyle Creed and Earnest East, musicians who have influenced countless students of Old Time music. Flippen has been similarly influential, and he received the 1990 North Carolina Folk Heritage Award for being the innovator of a distinctive style of old-time string music. He has served as a mentor for several wonderful musicians, notably NPR newscaster, music producer, and banjo player Paul Brown, who will be playing with Flippen at this concert.

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Watch Past Performances

Benton Flippen with the Valley Mountain Boys 8/17/05: Benton Flippen with the Valley Mountain Boys

83 year-old fiddler Benton Flippen performs old time music with the Smokey Valley Boys (banjoist Paul Brown , Verlen Clifton on mandolin, and guitarist Frank Bodie).

Benton Flippen with the Valley Mountain Boys

83 year-old fiddler Benton Flippen performs old time music with the Smokey Valley Boys (banjoist Paul Brown , Verlen Clifton on mandolin, and guitarist Frank Bodie).

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