Thanks to Richard F. Thompson for putting together this lovely remembrance of Red Shipley.

Robert Grant ‘Red’ Shipley: September 4, 1937 - October 6, 2007

Legendary radio personality Red Shipley passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, October 6, due to cancer. He had just recently retired from being the host of WAMU’s Stained Glass Bluegrass program, a show he hosted for 25 years. His last show was on September 16.

Shipley’s career as a bluegrass DJ has spanned more than 50 years, with the common factor throughout being the songs that serve as the foundation for his bluegrass gospel programs. He began his career at WJMA-AM in Orange, Virginia, on Memorial Day 1956. Later, during his time at WPIK-AM/WXRA-FM in Alexandria, Virginia, he began a program called Inside Bluegrass, and met Jerry Gray, who was instrumental in taking him to WAMU 88.5. Red filled in initially for Jerry and other bluegrass hosts, and in August 1982, took his place a the host of Stained Glass Bluegrass, where he remained until his recent retirement. Red’s reputation for his partiality for great music has spread world wide via the Internet and the show continues to be heard on BluegrassCountry.org.

Listeners in the Washington, DC area can also hear Stained Glass Bluegrass on WAMU’s 88.5 HD-2 (the hyper digital channels which parallels the bluegrass programming on BluegrassCountry.org.)

After his retirement from the trade show industry in late 1995, Shipley returned to Orange, Virginia., to be closer to his family. This move brought about a unique partnership between WAMU 88.5 and commercial station WJMA-FM in Orange that has allowed Red to continue to serve his regular listeners and has added even more loyal Stained Glass Bluegrass fans in central Virginia.

In September 2006, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) named Red as its Broadcaster of the Year.

In a formal announcement on the WAMU 88.5FM website, Caryn G. Mathes, General Manager for WAMU 88.5, commented on Sunday ……

“Radio lost one of its own legends last night. I’m deeply saddened by the news of Red’s passing, but grateful that he was able to spend 25 years on the air with us at WAMU, and heartened that he was able to continue doing what he loved for so long.” (more…)

Long-time bluegrass broadcaster, Red Shipley, passed away October 6 in Charlottesville, VA after a lengthy battle with cancer. Red was the host of Stained Glass Bluegrass for 25 years on WAMU-FM in Washington, DC, and also in recent years on BluegrassCountry.org.

We will have more on Red’s career in bluegrass music shortly, but wanted to pass along these details from WAMU right away:

Funeral arrangements have been made through Preddy’s Funeral Home in Gordonsville, Va. The funeral will be at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12. Questions about the funeral arrangements can be directed to Preddy’s Funeral Home at 540-832-2111.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), at Red’s request. To find out more about how to do this, please contact IBMA directly. Their toll-free number is 1-888-438-4262, and their e-mail address is info@ibma.org.

Cards and letters may be sent to 218 Piedmont St, Apt. 1, Orange, Va., 22960.

Remembrances still may be left at the WAMU tribute line at 202-885-8827.

UPDATE 9:25 a.m.: Marc Fisher has more on Red’s career on his WashingtonPost.com blog.

In the bluegrass world - as in any other - a 25th Anniversary is something to celebrate. In our slice of the music business, anyone who survives for a quarter century is rightly lauded for persevering in the face of the obstacles that confront a niche market such as ours.

Red Shipley, host of Stained Glass Bluegrass on WAMU in the Washington DC market has chosen to mark his 25th Anniversary on the show by stepping away from the microphone. This Sunday’s (9/16) program will be his last, a position he has maintained since August of 1982.

In 2006, Red was honored by the IBMA with their Broadcaster Of The Year award. His show has also been carried since 2001 on WAMU’s internet bluegrass channel, BluegrassCountry.org.

Shipley’s radio career actually spans more than 50 years, with stints at stations in Orange and Alexandria, VA. WAMU has set up a special phone line for fans and friends of Red’s show to leave their comments and well wishes: 202-885-8827.

Red’s final show will air from 6:00-10:00 a.m. (EDT) this Sunday, September 16 on both WAMU and BluegrassCountry.org. Co-host Bob Webster will assume solo host duties after Shipley’s retirement.