Troublesome Creek Times ... Wednesday, May 21, 2003

Kentucky Highway officially named fiddler Art Stamper

The public is invited to a ceremony on Friday, May 30, at which State Route 550 from Hindman to the Perry County line will be officially named Arthur 'Art' Stamper Highway in honor of the Knott County native and accomplished fiddler who has achieved national acclaim in the world of Bluegrass music.

Highway District 12 Chief District Engineer Dan L Hall said that the ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at the Hindman Artisans Center. "Both the Hindman City Council and the Knott Fiscal Court presented resolutions to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet asking that this section of KY 550 be named in Stamper's honor." Hall said, "The original request came from Shelly Amburgey of Mousie, who was a high school classmate of Mr Stamper"

Hall said that Mr Stamper will be introduced at the ceremony by Mr Amburgey. Immediately following Mr Stamper's remarks, Hall will join the acclaimed musician in unveiling the official highway sign.

Art Stamper is one of four sons and three daughters of the late Martha and Hiram Stamper. His father was the first person to influence him regarding music, and Stamper says "from there, I learned from everybody."

He was a student at Terry Grade School, Hindman High School, Robertson High School and 'finished up in the U S Army. A cosmetology school graduate, he worked as a hairdresser in Louisville for years before coming back to his first love, music.

Among the talented Bluegrass musicians with whom Stamper has worked over the years are Buster Pack and the Lonesome Pine Boys, Carl Saucerman, the Stanley Brothers, Jim McReynolds, the Osborne Brothers, the Goins Brothers, Wayne Lewis, Bill Monroe, Joe Isaacs, Bill Clifton, Ralph Stanley and Larry Sparks. In addition, he has played many times with Vince Combs for whom the other section of KY 550 in Knott County is named.

In 1986, 1987 and 1988 he was named Fiddler of the Year in Nashville and estimates that he has played in about 45 states in the United States and 11 countries, including three European tours.

"We hope to have a good crowd out to greet Mr Stamper", Hall said. "The ceremony will be brief, because he has to travel on to Whitesburg where he has a commitment to teach a fiddle class at Appalshop later in the day.

"We welcome all his family, friends and fans of Bluegrass music to join us on Friday afternoon, May 30".

Troublesome Creek Times ... Wednesday, May 21, 2003 ... page 3

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