I met Ole Belle at Sunset Park. She asked Lawrence to give our band a try at Sunset Park. I played there several times. Enjoyed her singing and playing.
I see Stan Modjesky mentions the AM radio station in Havre de Grace. It was called WASA back then and broadcasts on AM 1330. I bought the station almost 2 years ago and the new call letters are WHGM (Wonderful Havre de Grace Maryland). When I first took the station over, there were piles of records and the like laying around and that is when I ran across some artifacts of Ola Belle Reed. Now I am gaining knowledge about her and her music. The original owner of WASA is Virginia Pate Wetter and she is still living (97 Years Old) and she told me that Ola Belle would come to the studio and play live on the air in the live studio. We are still located in the original building from 1948 at 1604 Level Road in Havre de Grace Maryland. I think I sometimes here the old music playing through the halls late at night.
David Pate was running the station in 1976. He started a band and advertised for a guitar player. Being Ola Belle's nephew I easily got the job.. He did not perform but managed the band. We practice there at the station. I didn't have an acoustic guitar. I was playing mostly electric, so he had several in a music room in the back of the house. That room was a library of albums. I was in awe. Every record you could imagine was in that room. He pulled a Martin D-35 in a Martin case off the wall and gave it to me. It must of been a promotional model. Must be nice to get free musical instruments from major instrument manufacturers. He didn't play guitar so it was in brand new condition. I got to have it as long as I was in the group. We practiced at his house and played live on the radio for promotion. He had us booked for the whole summer at every major folk festival on the east coast. I was in shock because I was also practicing with a local rock band with all my high school buddies and I had to make a decision. I chose to stay with the my buddies. Dave, well let's just say, my friends were much more fun. He was pissed. I sometimes wonder were that road would have led me.
+newbeatphoto Just discovered her today, researching the lyrics of the Del McCoury recording of High on a Mountain (which she wrote). Wow, what a talent!
This video is beyond priceless. Thank God someone- whomever it was-had the presence of mind to record this. Whatever happened to her son, David? Did he stay in music?
Yes. He plays at churches and has gospel albums out. He is living on the family homestead, this house in the vid, with his beautiful wife, last I heard.
@@nikkiwilder660 That's so awesome to hear. I am glad he is doing well and maintaining a great connection with his heritage. Thanks for letting me know!
@@nikkiwilder660 I'll always love Ola Belle Reed and this music, but the son, well, I know he's very busy, but did not even give me the courtesy of a return call when I called him to let him know how much his mother's music had meant to me. A bit strange...
Thanks for sharing,She made me feel welcome & my band country pie played Graybeal's campground a few summer shows.Beautiful person,musician and legend,This was 1975',76' and 77' Dancn larry Wolfe
I worked with the Reeds at a tiny AM radio station in Havre de Grace, MD in the early seventies. She was the most totally unaffected person you could hope to meet.
So happy to see and hear this. It seems that Ms. Reed and her family saw their music- and music in general as a legacy for love, peace, and universalism. Bless her memory. How is David doing? The family supporting her seemed so humble, so appropriate.
![Former Slave Owner Interview in 1929 [Colorized]](/img/1.gif)
I met Ole Belle at Sunset Park. She asked Lawrence to give our band a try at Sunset Park. I played there several times. Enjoyed her singing and playing.
AMAZING post. If there was any justice Ms Reed would be a household name and an American institution
No kidding. But then again, we all know that "justice" is a commodity that is in short supply in this here America...
Nothing beats natural like her voice, not even “push buttons” as she says.
I see Stan Modjesky mentions the AM radio station in Havre de Grace. It was called WASA back then and broadcasts on AM 1330. I bought the station almost 2 years ago and the new call letters are WHGM (Wonderful Havre de Grace Maryland). When I first took the station over, there were piles of records and the like laying around and that is when I ran across some artifacts of Ola Belle Reed. Now I am gaining knowledge about her and her music. The original owner of WASA is Virginia Pate Wetter and she is still living (97 Years Old) and she told me that Ola Belle would come to the studio and play live on the air in the live studio. We are still located in the original building from 1948 at 1604 Level Road in Havre de Grace Maryland. I think I sometimes here the old music playing through the halls late at night.
David Pate was running the station in 1976. He started a band and advertised for a guitar player. Being Ola Belle's nephew I easily got the job.. He did not perform but managed the band. We practice there at the station. I didn't have an acoustic guitar. I was playing mostly electric, so he had several in a music room in the back of the house. That room was a library of albums. I was in awe. Every record you could imagine was in that room. He pulled a Martin D-35 in a Martin case off the wall and gave it to me. It must of been a promotional model. Must be nice to get free musical instruments from major instrument manufacturers. He didn't play guitar so it was in brand new condition. I got to have it as long as I was in the group. We practiced at his house and played live on the radio for promotion. He had us booked for the whole summer at every major folk festival on the east coast. I was in shock because I was also practicing with a local rock band with all my high school buddies and I had to make a decision. I chose to stay with the my buddies. Dave, well let's just say, my friends were much more fun. He was pissed. I sometimes wonder were that road would have led me.
I only just discovered Ola Bella Reed yesterday. What a complete American treasure and a beautiful human being. Thank you for posting this video.
+newbeatphoto Just discovered her today, researching the lyrics of the Del McCoury recording of High on a Mountain (which she wrote). Wow, what a talent!
What a miracle that this was, somehow, preserved!
So inspiring. I hope my children and grandchildren will adopt such a vibrant tradition like her family had.
She is good!! I grew up on this kind of music! Ol bluegrass! Love it!
This video is beyond priceless. Thank God someone- whomever it was-had the presence of mind to record this. Whatever happened to her son, David? Did he stay in music?
Yes. He plays at churches and has gospel albums out. He is living on the family homestead, this house in the vid, with his beautiful wife, last I heard.
@@nikkiwilder660 That's so awesome to hear. I am glad he is doing well and maintaining a great connection with his heritage. Thanks for letting me know!
@@nikkiwilder660 I'll always love Ola Belle Reed and this music, but the son, well, I know he's very busy, but did not even give me the courtesy of a return call when I called him to let him know how much his mother's music had meant to me. A bit strange...
Thanks for sharing,She made me feel welcome & my band country pie played Graybeal's campground a few summer shows.Beautiful person,musician and legend,This was 1975',76' and 77' Dancn larry Wolfe
Such a great memory
I remember her when my Grandmother Ellen Hudak would play the autoharp and she would sing.
"I've Endured" starts at 7:00...just a classic video, thank you for posting
Thanks
That’s how it’s done!
I worked with the Reeds at a tiny AM radio station in Havre de Grace, MD in the early seventies. She was the most totally unaffected person you could hope to meet.
So happy to see and hear this. It seems that Ms. Reed and her family saw their music- and music in general as a legacy for love, peace, and universalism. Bless her memory. How is David doing? The family supporting her seemed so humble, so appropriate.
My aunt Mable use to take me there when I was Lil,
Very cool. Thanks for sharing this.
Awesome
Awesome stuff
she and her brother alex campbell had a band in the 1960`s
Thanks a TON for sharing this!
thanks for posting
Awesome!!!
wow!
pitch perfect
a early patsy cline
What happened to Ms. Reed's son? Does he still perform?
Yes.
Yes, usually at local churches and he does gospel CDs.
I love her music. I have her on my playlist. I want an Ola T-shirt! She's just awesome.
@@Gretch-bo6db Agreed!