I opened Bluegrass Today this morning to some bad, but not totally unexpected news. I knew he hadn't been well because news travels quickly.
https://bluegrasstoday.com/allen-mills-passes/
I grew up around Lost & Found. I knew who they were before I knew who Flatt & Scruggs were, because Dad took me to see them anytime they were playing close by. It's a much different connection for a kid when you see a band playing music onstage, rather than see a record spinning and hear it. So those guys were more real to me... and over the years I got to know them. Some of my friends played in that band when they came of age.
Just another reason for being proud of having been part of the whole Franklin County music scene. Musicians do get recognized and celebrated here. Allen Mills though... he was famous in a small town before the rest of us even knew what that meant. I bet they will have to close streets in Rocky Mount for the funeral.
I happened to catch the updated funeral details. Visitation is 4 hours. Indeed there will be additional parking and a line. (I'll bet anybody anything 4 hours won't cover it.) The family asked in lieu of flowers for donations to the Woolwine Volunteer Fire Dept. and Ruritan Club, and the Hospice Center at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount. All a testament to the hometown guy Allen was. Woolwine, if you Google-map it, is a little further down State Route 40 from Rocky Mount. Go on through Ferrum, and keep gettin' it til you hit Route 8. That's Woolwine, Virginia. Country road. Nothing but country out there.
There'll be a memorial jam held next month in Danville; a hotel has been reserved with reduced rates for overnight stays. All attendees encouraged to bring their instruments.
Dad was telling me last night, kinda' wistfully, Allen Mills was probably the first upright bass player I ever saw. I don't remember. I just remember going to see the band play, and thinking they must be the best. Otherwise why would all these people be here cheerin' and hollerin'.