Grady Andrew Bullins died Monday (3/17/14) in Stokes, NC at 82 years of age.
He had performed with Charlie Monroe many years ago, and later with Roy McMillian and High Country, Cecil Hall and the Dominion Bluegrass Boys, and Southern Partners. More recently, his song High Alleghenies was nominated for a 2010 SPBGMA Song of the Year award, for the ’09 version recorded by Big Country Bluegrass on their Open For Business album. It had been originally been recorded in 1974 by the Dominion Bluegrass Boys.
Throughout his life he worked as a farmer and a carpenter, and retired from the Stokes County Governmental Center. He was also a volunteer fireman for the Lawsonville Fire Department.
Premier mandolinist Alan Bibey remembers Grady well from his childhood. His mother was a Bullins, and Alan said that all the Bullins are related in the Stokes County area.
“I remember my Dad talking about Grady a lot, and then seeing him play with Roy McMillan (who is another hero of mine), as well as Cecil Hall and The Dominion Bluegrass Boys. I remember he was always a real gentleman and very kind to me. He was a celebrity in my eyes.”
A funeral will be held tomorrow (3/20) at Burroughs Funeral Home in Walnut Cove, NC.
