Ola Belle Reed
Ola Belle Reed, born Ola Wave Campbell on August 18, 1916 in Grassy Creek, Ashe
County, North Carolina, was an American folk singer and banjo player. She
learned the clawhammer-style banjo from her uncle Dockery Campbell and sang
old-time songs with her musical family. In the mid-1930s, Reed joined The North
Carolina Ridge Runners and later formed The New River Boys and Girls with her
brother Alex Campbell. Reed's songs often reflected Appalachian life; "High on a
Mountain" was recorded by Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, and Marty Stuart. In 1978,
she received an honorary doctorate fro...
