William H. Emerson, Jr.
January 22, 1938 ~ August 21, 2021
William Hundley Emerson, Jr. (Bill Emerson) of Vienna, Virginia died on Saturday August 21, 2021 due to complications from pneumonia. Bill peacefully passed on to his heavenly home surrounded by his family. Born January 22, 1938, he was the son of the late William H. Emerson, Sr. and Nettie L. (Price) Emerson.
An internationally known, hall of fame Bluegrass banjo player and harmony singer, Bill began his musical career as a teenager and was a founding member of the groundbreaking group: the ‘Country Gentlemen’ in 1957. As musician, band leader, producer, arranger, and advocate he is a key figure in the history of the Bluegrass music genre, who was always willing to lend a hand to other artists, and is credited with helping to launch the careers of several fellow musicians over the years.
Throughout 1960s Bill performed and/or recorded with many well known artists, notably; Jimmy Martin, The Stoneman Family, Bill Harrell, Red Allen, Del McCoury, and Bill Monroe. In 1967 he formed the band ‘Emerson and Waldron’ with whom he famously converted the Manfred Mann pop song “Fox on the Run” into what became a Bluegrass standard. Following a second stint with one of the most critically acclaimed versions of the ‘Country Gentlemen’ in the early 1970s, Bill joined the United States Navy Band to help launch a Country and Bluegrass music group known as ‘Country Current.’ From 1973 until his retirement in 1993 he helped lead ‘Country Current’ on U.S. tours, studio recordings, and national television appearances, while performing for three United States Presidents (including trips to China and Sweden with President George H.W. Bush). In the late 1980s and early 1990s Bill made a return to the Bluegrass music scene (outside of the Navy Band), recording a number one album with songwriter Pete Goble entitled “Tennessee 1949.” In 1990 he released the instrumental album well known by banjo enthusiasts: “Home of the Red Fox” which included a star-studded cast of musicians, and re-recordings of some of his essential compositions: “Cowboys and Indians” - “Theme Time” - “Sweet Dixie” -and- “Welcome to New York.” Soon after, Bill took over and ran the Webco Records label with help from his late son John (d. 2013). In 1992 Webco released Bill Emerson’s “Reunion” album featuring songs with most of the lead singers Bill had worked with over the years. Into the 1990’s, Bill continued recording not only his own projects, but also recorded with several others, garnering many nominations for International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards. He played banjo and sang harmony vocals on three albums with Tony Rice, including the Grammy nominated “Tony Rice Plays and Sings Bluegrass.” After a brief semi-retirement from music, Bill returned in 2007 on another Grammy nominated album: Tony Trischka’s “Double Bluegrass Banjo Spectacular” which inspired him to form the group: ‘Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie.’ From 2007 to 2015, ‘Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie’ recorded six albums and were a popular draw both locally and at festivals around the country. Bill continued to record new music into 2020, with the release of his single “Ophelia” (recorded with his son Billy) nearing the top the Bluegrass charts earlier this year. Among many other local and national honors, Bill was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
Making his home in Vienna, Virginia since 1967, Bill served his community in a variety of ways including coaching in Vienna Little League Baseball, organizing his street’s first Neighborhood Watch program, and appearing as a special guest in music classes at Cunningham Park Elementary School. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, a gentleman to all, and a proud Navy veteran. Bill is survived by the immediate family of his wife Lola; son Mike of Hillsboro, VA (and his wife Sherry); son Billy of Vienna, VA (and his wife Lisa); sister Charlotte Walhay of Silver Spring, MD; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his twin brother Bob, and his son John.
A memorial service will be hosted at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church - 8601 WOLFTRAP ROAD VIENNA, VA 22182 - at 11:00am on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2021. Visitation will be held in the adjoining Chapel from 10:00am to 10:55am. Face coverings are optional, however to protect the vulnerable, those who are not vaccinated are asked to please wear a face covering indoors. Bill will receive full military honors and burial at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 3:00pm. It is the hope of the Emerson family to host a reception for family and close friends following the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
Feel free to share memories and condolences on the tribute wall, as well as in the “Bill Emerson Tribute Group” on Facebook.
An internationally known, hall of fame Bluegrass banjo player and harmony singer, Bill began his musical career as a teenager and was a founding member of the groundbreaking group: the ‘Country Gentlemen’ in 1957. As musician, band leader, producer, arranger, and advocate he is a key figure in the history of the Bluegrass music genre, who was always willing to lend a hand to other artists, and is credited with helping to launch the careers of several fellow musicians over the years.
Throughout 1960s Bill performed and/or recorded with many well known artists, notably; Jimmy Martin, The Stoneman Family, Bill Harrell, Red Allen, Del McCoury, and Bill Monroe. In 1967 he formed the band ‘Emerson and Waldron’ with whom he famously converted the Manfred Mann pop song “Fox on the Run” into what became a Bluegrass standard. Following a second stint with one of the most critically acclaimed versions of the ‘Country Gentlemen’ in the early 1970s, Bill joined the United States Navy Band to help launch a Country and Bluegrass music group known as ‘Country Current.’ From 1973 until his retirement in 1993 he helped lead ‘Country Current’ on U.S. tours, studio recordings, and national television appearances, while performing for three United States Presidents (including trips to China and Sweden with President George H.W. Bush). In the late 1980s and early 1990s Bill made a return to the Bluegrass music scene (outside of the Navy Band), recording a number one album with songwriter Pete Goble entitled “Tennessee 1949.” In 1990 he released the instrumental album well known by banjo enthusiasts: “Home of the Red Fox” which included a star-studded cast of musicians, and re-recordings of some of his essential compositions: “Cowboys and Indians” - “Theme Time” - “Sweet Dixie” -and- “Welcome to New York.” Soon after, Bill took over and ran the Webco Records label with help from his late son John (d. 2013). In 1992 Webco released Bill Emerson’s “Reunion” album featuring songs with most of the lead singers Bill had worked with over the years. Into the 1990’s, Bill continued recording not only his own projects, but also recorded with several others, garnering many nominations for International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards. He played banjo and sang harmony vocals on three albums with Tony Rice, including the Grammy nominated “Tony Rice Plays and Sings Bluegrass.” After a brief semi-retirement from music, Bill returned in 2007 on another Grammy nominated album: Tony Trischka’s “Double Bluegrass Banjo Spectacular” which inspired him to form the group: ‘Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie.’ From 2007 to 2015, ‘Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie’ recorded six albums and were a popular draw both locally and at festivals around the country. Bill continued to record new music into 2020, with the release of his single “Ophelia” (recorded with his son Billy) nearing the top the Bluegrass charts earlier this year. Among many other local and national honors, Bill was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
Making his home in Vienna, Virginia since 1967, Bill served his community in a variety of ways including coaching in Vienna Little League Baseball, organizing his street’s first Neighborhood Watch program, and appearing as a special guest in music classes at Cunningham Park Elementary School. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, a gentleman to all, and a proud Navy veteran. Bill is survived by the immediate family of his wife Lola; son Mike of Hillsboro, VA (and his wife Sherry); son Billy of Vienna, VA (and his wife Lisa); sister Charlotte Walhay of Silver Spring, MD; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his twin brother Bob, and his son John.
A memorial service will be hosted at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church - 8601 WOLFTRAP ROAD VIENNA, VA 22182 - at 11:00am on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2021. Visitation will be held in the adjoining Chapel from 10:00am to 10:55am. Face coverings are optional, however to protect the vulnerable, those who are not vaccinated are asked to please wear a face covering indoors. Bill will receive full military honors and burial at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 3:00pm. It is the hope of the Emerson family to host a reception for family and close friends following the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
Feel free to share memories and condolences on the tribute wall, as well as in the “Bill Emerson Tribute Group” on Facebook.
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Sincerest condolences to the Emerson Family. May God hold you close to one another during this difficult time, and bless you with strength and comfort. Sincerely, Kathy (Sedlock) Rogers
The Owners and Staff at the Money and King Funeral Home, wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call us anytime as we are always available to you. Bob Gallagher Funeral Director
Thoughts and prayers for the Emerson family on Bill’s passing. He was such an inspiration to so many Bluegrass musicians and truly, a great man. Mike Phipps The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band
In memory of Bill. Sympathies to Lola and the family.
Dearest Lola and family, Stuart and I send our love. We first met you and Bill in Burnsville when Bill taught at a banjo camp there. Then again in Nashville at Nashcamp. We hit it off right from the start. Bill told me “One day you will be a really good banjo player.” He was just the greatest! I still play and I think of you both so often. Bill is leading the bluegrass band in Heaven!?? Many blessings, Debby and Stuart Woodhouse
A candle was lit for the decedent.