Ralph Blizard
1918-2004
Ralph Blizard, a Hall of Fame long-bow fiddler, was a pioneer entertainer on radio stations WOPI, WJHL and WKPT, at first with his high school classmates. He recorded and toured with the New Southern Ramblers across the United States and the British Isles. He and his wife Mildred reared sons David and Mark, in Blountville. In 2002, Blizard co-founded the Traditional Appalachian Musical Heritage Association. He was a recipient of the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Governor’s Award and the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. Blizard was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Marker is on Bristol Highway (State Road 126) west of Anderson Road, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
