Benton Flippen (b.1920) stems from an extremely influential generation of old-time musicians, a group of men from Surry County, North Carolina by the names of Fred Cockeram, Tommy Jarrel, Earnest East and Kyle Creed whose music inspired generations of old-time music enthusiasts. The Fiddlers Conventions at which these men performed in total obscurity in their youths flourish in modern times. This group of music makers each forged their own strongly unique styles in the 30s and 40s. Only Benton still performs for square dances every weekend and in 2006 at the internationally celebrated Mt. Airy Fiddler Convention stood the sole survivor of this fraternity. Benton still competing, leads his band the Smokey Valley Boys which he formed in the 60s, disbanded in 85, and reformed at the turn of the century, strong with the help of his young apprentice Andy Edmonds.
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