North Carolina singer and guitarist, Bill Vanhoy, 89, passed away on Friday, July 3. Born and raised in Yadkin County in the small western North Carolina community of Hamptonville, Vanhoy grew up surrounded by traditional music. George Ireland, Bill’s maternal grandfather, was “one of the best fiddle players around,” according to Bill. His grandfather helped start the Union Grove Fiddlers’ Convention with the Vanhoy family.
At age 16, Bill bought his first guitar. His mother showed him a few chords to get him started. “There was music in the family. I just took it up,” he once shared with Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of western North Carolina.
Vanhoy joined the Navy soon after high school, married after four years of service, and moved back to Yadkin County. He had no guitar at the time, so his wife bought him one and he began playing regularly. He started the Grass Valley Boys, which was his primary band for more than thirty years. A number of talented musicians have played with him in the band over the years. One was Mike Souther.
A North Carolina banjoist, Souther shared…
“We played up at Windsor’s Crossroads every Friday night for years. I think it was in an old school building. We had old time in one room and bluegrass in the other. It was Bill Vanhoy, Jeff Michael, Roy McMillan, Paul Stokes, Scott Gentry, me, and many other musicians who came through at different times. Some of the best times ever! We also played some fiddlers’ conventions together, including Galax.”
Jeff Michael, who also picked with Vanhoy, recalled…
“Had a lot of good times with Bill. I played a lot of shows as a Grass Valley Boy. We used to get together on Sundays at Bill’s house to pick, eat, and tell tales. Bill was a great singer and won a lot of vocal contests with Mary of the Wild Moor. Sad to see another old friend gone.”
Bill was a regular participant at fiddlers’ conventions throughout the region. He had a wall lined with ribbons. He won several vocal competitions at Mount Airy and Galax Fiddlers’ conventions. In 1993 and 1996, Vanhoy took first place at Galax in their folk song category. In 1995, his band, the Grass Valley Boys, placed 8th in the band category there.
At one time, the Grass Valley Boys played from Virginia to Georgia. They also performed on regional radio stations with Bill playing guitar and singing lead with the group.
When asked about his influences, Bill once stated, “I preferred Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. I also liked Reno & Smiley. The Stanley Brothers influenced me a lot, too.”
Highlights of his career include performing on stage with legends like Chubby Wise and Raymond Fairchild at the Maggie Valley Opry House.
The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Fall Creek Baptist Church in Jonesville, NC. His funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m.
After the service, there will be a Celebration of Life event in the church’s fellowship hall. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and honor Bill with music, food, and fellowship. His family stressed, “He would like it that way.”
R.I.P., Bill Vanhoy
