Jerry Smith on guitar, Max Henderson on mandolin, and Eddie Baker on banjo entertain at the reception for Reed family. Photo by Susan McDonald Reed family from left to right: Stacey Randall, granddaughter; Georgia Reed, son Ralph Reed; Bud Reed, husband of Ola Belle; son David Reed; great grandchildren Annamarie Belle, Samuel and Jewel. Photo by Susan McDonald Ola Belle Reed Festival Announced At Town Meeting In Lansing Reed Family Honored With Pot Luck Reception By Susan McDonald It was cold outside on March 20th, but warm inside the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department for the pot luck social honoring the family of Ola Belle Reed. According to Beth Rembert, who helped to organize the reception, around 50 people turned out during the spring snow to give the family a much deserved party. The Reeds traveled from Maryland and Wyoming to be in Lansing for the event. There was also a town meeting held to discuss the Ola Belle Campbell Reed Homecoming Festival that will be held August 18th, 19th and 20th this summer at the American Legion Ballfield. The legendary country artist Ola Belle Campbell Reed was born in 1915 in Grassy Creek. She came from a large, musical family, and learned to play guitar and banjo at an early age. A few folks around Lansing still remember her, such as Gladys Baldwin Reaves who recalls that Ola Belle was smart in school and sang while doing homework. As a teenager, Ola Belle began performing with her brother, Alex, in the early days of the North Carolina Ridge Runners, and later the reconstituted New River Boys, born from her father Arthur Harrison. Like many Ashe County families, the Campbells moved to Maryland during the Great Depression to find work. There she met her husband, Bud Reed, who shared her love of traditional Appalachian music and was also an accomplished musician. Ola Belle, Bud and Alex later formed a group called the New River Gang, and the Reeds opened a popular music park called the New River Ranch where many famous names played. In 1960 they moved the operation to Sunset Park, Pa., where the group performed for 26 years. Ola Belle and Alex broadcasted their own program live from the music park, where they were heard on over 200 radio stations. The Reed family grew by two over the years, adding sons Ralph and David to the family music tradition. In 1986, Ola Belle was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship for her contributions to American folk music. She has also been honored by The Smithsonian Institute, The Library of Congress and the Country Music Association. Along with brother, Alex, she wrote over 200 songs including “High on a Mountain”. It is considered a real bluegrass classic and has been performed by several artists including Marty Stuart, which earned Stuart and Ola Belle a Gold Record. The history of her life and times are extensively covered by a collection held by the Manuscripts Department at the University of North Carolina, and a very readable history is available at www.markbrine.com. After everyone enjoyed the good cooking, musicians Max Henderson, Jerry Smith and Eddie Baker entertained the group. The town meeting began with the introduction of Ralph Reed and the reading of the mission statement for the August festival: “Ola Belle Campbell Reed (1915-2002), legendary country singer, was a strong force for good who touched countless lives. The Ola Belle Reed Homecoming Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the life and music of this remarkable woman in the locale where her life’s journey began, the small community of Lansing, along the New River in the mountains of North Carolina. The Festival will feature the music of Ola Belle’s husband and sons, musicians who played with her over the years, newer groups that are carrying on her tradition, and local talent. It will also celebrate the life and philosophy of a woman who spent a lifetime ‘tearing down the fences that fence us all in.’ ‘High on a mountain, wind blowing free’, join Ola Belle’s family and friends and the people of Lansing, North Carolina for a weekend of music and fellowship.” The group moved to accept this mission statement. Ralph Reed proceeded to thank the community for “passing on Mom’s music.” He explained, “We’re here because we are thankful for what you are doing.” The pride he felt for his mother was obvious. His brother David continued, “If Mom knew I was bragging on her, she’d whip me with a switch.” Her husband, Bud Reed, also amused the audience with anecdotes about their illustrious life together. The Festival will feature a banjo contest at 6 p.m. on August 18th at the Volunteer Fire Department in Lansing, and events at the American Legion Ballfield will be held from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. the 19th and 20th. This will include music workshops, as well as several bands featuring traditional music from the central Blue Ridge Mountains. Ola Belle Reed passed away in August of 2002, but her music will always stay. One of her songs, “I’ve Endured” describes her life this way: “I’ve worked for the rich, I’ve lived with the poor; Lord, I’ve seen many a heartache, there’ll be many more; I’ve lived, loved and sorrowed, been to success’s door, I’ve endured, I’ve endured.” After the Reed family expressed their gratitude to Lansing, a meeting of the Greater Lansing Area Development Committee (GLAD) ensued. Ward Sexton facilitated. Everyone at the meeting introduced themselves in a “getting to know you” session. There was much discussion as everyone presented their personal visions of Lansing. The Lansing Downtown Committee met with officials from the Historic Preservation Committee at the Ashe County Public Library, and Lansing was pre-approved as a Historic District. To obtain this important designation, Beth Rembert reported there was a lot of work to be done, including a written history of Lansing. Many tales were told, leading one to believe there is a lot of history to write about. Mayor Jason Ring and the various committees that constitute GLAD gave updates and thanked Beth and George Rembert who have ignited Lansing with their obvious love and enthusiasm for the town. Beth Rembert said, “We need to find out what made it work before, and do that.” Her husband George added, “There are a lot of things we need to learn and hear about from the old locals. What makes you love this place, and what would you like to see it go back to, or turn in to?” One thing for certain is while Lansing may expand, the same friendliness will continue, and good things will be attracted by the positive attitudes of the people who live there. Or, as Ola Belle Reed once said according to radio broadcaster Cindy Baucom of KneeDeepInBluegrass.com, “Always be yourself and don’t let anyone try to change you.” Lansing doesn’t need to be anything but itself to be a special place.