Round Peak Musicians Memorial
The Round Peak Musicians Memorial is a place where I pay tribute to Round Peak musicians of the past who have influenced me and other musicians world-wide. Here, you will be able to view musicians' headstones, get directions to the cemeteries where they are buried, and click on the headstones to hear a sample of their music. In this way I want to commemorate their contributions to the music, and provide a way for interested folk to visit their gravesites. This resource will not only benefit people who are interested in visiting the gravesites, but also to family members who might not know where their ancestors are buried. All directions are given from the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89. These musicians are important because they helped define the Round Peak sound. This page will continue to be a work in progress, so be sure to check back often.
Kyle Creed
Kyle Creed is buried at the Monta Vista Memory Gardens in Galax, Virginia. He played the banjo and fiddle, and was the
founder of Mountain Records, that later merged with Heritage Records. He was also a founding member of the Camp Creek Boys.
Kyle built banjos that are sought-after far and wide by old-time musicians.
Directions: From Interstate 77 and the Highway 89 intersection, take Highway 89 West to Galax, Virginia. Note that after crossing into Virginia, 89 West becomes 89 North, and when entering the city of Galax, 89 North becomes Main Street. Follow Main Street through town, and at the intersection of Main and Highway 58, turn right onto 58 East. At the second red light, turn left onto Glendale Road. Travel 2 miles to the Monta Vista Memory Gardens on the left. Upon turning in, keep right. Go past 2 big boxwood trees on the right. Go to the first maple tree and Kyle's grave is located in the fifth row from the road.
Earnest East
Earnest East is buried at the Round Peak Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. He was a fiddle, banjo, and guitar player.
His longtime band was the Pine Ridge Boys.
Directions: From the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89 West, take 89 (towards Galax) and as the road gradually becomes 2-lane, take the first road to the right, Round Peak Church Road. Travel 2.5 miles. Round Peak
Primitive Church is on the right.
Dix Freeman
Dix Freeman is buried at the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. He played the banjo and fiddle. Dix learned to
play from Charlie Lowe. He had a distinctive fretless banjo playing style. His son-in-law, Chester McMillian,
and grandson, Nicholas McMillian, are carrying on his musical tradition.
Directions: From the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89, take 89 West (towards Galax) and as the road gradually becomes 2-lane, take the first road to the left, Oak Grove Church Road. Travel .4 miles. Oak Grove Baptist
Church is on the right.
Ben Jarrell
Ben Jarrell is buried at the Ivy Green Baptist Church Cemetery. Ben played the fiddle with Da Costa Woltz's
Southern Broadcasters. He was also the father of Tommy Jarrell.
Directions: From the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89, take 89 East (towards Mount Airy) 2
miles. Turn left at the caution light onto Pine Ridge Road. Travel 3.7 miles. Turn left onto Old Lowgap Road.
Continue on 1.4 miles. Ivy Green Baptist Church is on the right.
Tommy Jarrell
Tommy Jarrell is buried at the Skyline Memory Gardens in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Tommy was a well-known fiddle and
banjo player, and was also a great singer. Tommy plays the older style of fiddling that was not influenced by Arthur Smith,
or national radio. Tommy's influence spread widely across the world and he encouraged many young people to learn to play
the music.
Directions: From the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89, take 89 East 7.3 miles to Mount Airy.
Bear right onto the US 52 ramp and merge onto US 52 South, the Andy Griffith Parkway. Continue on 2.8 miles and turn right
onto Old Buck Shoals Road. Skyline Memory Gardens will be on the right.
Charlie Lowe
Charlie Lowe is buried at the Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church. Charlie was one of the earliest known Round Peak
clawhammer banjo players. Several of the musicians such as Tommy Jarrell, Fred Cockerham, and Dix Freeman cited him
as a person they learned from.
Directions: From the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89, take 89 East (towards Mount Airy)
2 miles. Turn left at the caution light onto Pine Ridge Road. Travel 3.4 miles to Zion Hill Baptist Church on the left.
Parking is on the left and the cemetery is on the right.
Paul Sutphin
Paul Sutphin is buried at the Skyline Memory Gardens in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Paul was a "clawhammer" guitar player.
He had a booming voice and loved to sing. He was one of the original members of the Camp Creek Boys.
Directions: From the intersection of Interstate 77 and Highway 89, take 89 East 7.3 miles to Mount Airy.
Bear right onto the US 52 ramp and merge onto US 52 South, the Andy Griffith Parkway. Continue on 2.8 miles and turn right
onto Old Buck Shoals Road. Skyline Memory Gardens will be on the right.
