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Friends have launched a fundraising effort to help the family cover additional expenses online. Anita Vanderpool, Dale’s wife, took substantial time off work to care for him at home in recent weeks, which has caused a financial hardship for the family.
In addition to Anita, Dale left behind a son and daughter, and two step sons.
Donations are being accepted through the Give Forward program, allowing for safe and secure online transaction. Find full details at www.giveforward.com.
His professional work included stints with Don Rigsby, Larry Stephenson and Melvin Goins. Dale was also a part of Rock County for a time, the group Rigsby formed after leaving Lonesome River Band.
Vanderpool was a stalwart practitioner of the Scruggs style of banjo and an aficionado of the classic pre war banjos Earl played. Here’s video of him on a Scruggs classic with Rigsby in 2010.
Don posted this tribute last night on Facebook:
“After a lengthy struggle with cancer, my dear friend Dale Vanderpool has went home to be with our Savior. I am thinking back to some wonderful memories of times past and things we did together and his warm personality and big ole belly laugh. I have really missed being around him and no doubt as this sinks in I am gonna miss him even more. I hate cancer. It has robbed this life of too many great people. Rest well old friend.”
We got this note from Megan Brugger at MyClassicCountry radio in Xenia, OH. The station was among the sponsors for the Gerald Evans and Dale Vanderpool Appreciation concert we told you about earlier this month.
The station is managed by Joe Mullins, who performed for several years with Evans in The Traditional Grass. Here is Megan’s note:
A little snowy weather and a busy Holiday season did not hinder the success of a special Appreciation Concert this past weekend, benefiting fiddler and songwriter Gerald Evans, Jr. and banjo player Dale Vanderpool. Both are fighting cancer.
Sunday, bluegrass fans from the Ohio and Kentucky area packed the Roberts Convention Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. With an all-star lineup of bands and special guests, nearly $20,000 was raised. Special thanks to all of the following performers and contributors:
Lost and Found, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Blue and Lonesome, Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain, Don Rigsby and Midnight Call, the Grascals, the Wildwood Valley Boys, J.D. Crowe and the New South, the Larry Stephenson Band, Sonny Osborne, Mark Rader, Larry Cordle, Dwayne Sparks, Darrell Adkins and the staff of the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer Bluegrass Classic, the staff and volunteers of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival and WBZI Radio.
Many other members of the national Bluegrass community sent donations as well.
It was truly a special day for two talented gentlemen who remain in our thoughts and prayers this Christmas season.
Joe Mullins would like to sincerely thank all contributors for their support and generosity.
If you would like to make an after-the-fact donation, you can send it to:
My Classic Country
23 East Second St.
Xenia, OH 45385
Both men are battling cancer, and an Appreciation Concert will be held on Sunday to both honor their musical achievements and help them and their families with the financial burdens of their medical expenses.
Dale has played banjo with Larry Stephenson, Don Rigsby and many others, while Gerald is known primarily for his tenure with The Traditional Grass and his own group, Gerald Evans & Paradise.
Evans and Vanderpool will both perform on this show December 20, as will The Grascals, Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Lost and Found, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, Wildwood Valley Boys, JD Crowe & The New South, and The Larry Stephenson Band. Special guests for the afternoon show include Sonny Osborne, Mark Rader and Larry Cordle.
All these acts have ties to Gerald and Dale, and are donating time for their benefit.
The show will be held at the Roberts Convention Centre in Wilmington, OH. Those who can’t attend, but would like to make a donation, can send it to:
My Classic Country
23 East Second St.
Xenia, OH 45385
You can also get more details about the show from the folks at My Classic Country.
