Sterling T. Belcher
Special Recognition Award

Sterling Belcher was born on June 14, 1939, just outside of Rocky Mount, VA, to Clyde Aaron and Ethel Holland Belcher. From the age of five, Sterling remembers working long days on the family farm.  After graduating from Franklin County High School, Sterling joined the Army Reserves. In 1967 he met his wife, Patricia Dillon and they were married one year later. In 1969 their daughter, Dreama, was born and Sterling says, "I became a millionaire and four years later we obtained our second million when your son Stacy was born." After several job ventures, he started to work for E.I. DuPont and after 34 years of service he retired early in 1994.
    Meanwhile, Tripple Creek Music Campground had been under construction since 1980. Both town and county officials offered up a great deal of adversity, based on their experiences with other out-door music festivals. But, with the support of family members and many friends, the Belcher's were able to negotiate what they thought would be a workable ordinance with officials and the first festival became a reality. Their first venture was "The Lost & Found Homecoming." After two years of controversy over police barricades, loss of directional signs, humiliation form various county officials and the loss of several thousands of dollars, it was suggested to Sterling to appeal to the Attorney General. County officials finally eased up and Sterling continued with his festival for nine more years. It was a struggle as the treatment of the fans by the county authorities was hard to overcome.
    With mush determination and perseverance, Sterling and his family continued to the festival and as the years went by, they Finally began to attract good crowds as well as support of the town's Retail Merchants. In 1998, Sterling's daughter, Dreama Belcher Stephenson, with her expertise and local support, took the festival to the expanse that they enjoy today. Over the years, the Belcher's promoted Gospel, Beach and Country music as well as Bluegrass festivals.
    For twelve years they also promoted a Fiddlers Convention. That venture became known at the "Part-Time International Competitions and Accomplishments for Bluegrass and Old-Time" Work (PICABO). From this effort, merged "unknown" Timmy Massey's "Cold Virginia Night" for which Ronnie Bowman won national acclaim with his recorded version. In June of 2004 Tripple Creek Music Campground, along with "We Care" of Franklin County", hosted a "Welcome Home Iraq Troops" concert. Proceeds went to the local Reserve Unit. In 2005 Sterling was presented the "Key to the Town" by the Mayor of Rocky Mount as a token of appreciation for his 25 years of promotion.
    "I never expected to receive such a high honor for doing what I loved to do" said Sterling. "I was lucky to find a great and beautiful wife that was strong, understanding and supportive of the music activities I was involved in. There's no way I could have completed 25 years without the help of my family and I thank them!"

Sterling with Tom T. Hall at IBMA 2008

Congratulations goes to Sterling Belcher for his Special Recognition Award presented to him by the VFMA & for receiving the Key to the Town of Rocky Mount!

Congrats to Sterling Belcher owner of Tripple Creek Music Campground in Rocky Mount, Virginia as he was honored by the Virginia Folk Music Association (VFMA) in Chesterfield County, VA at the Fairgrounds on Sat. September 17, 2005.  He received a "Special Recognition Award" for his bluegrass promotion endeavors for the past 25 years. Check out www.VFMA.org 

Virginia Promoters found together in March 2005 Back L-R: Sterling Belcher (Tripple Creek), Earl Banton, John Hutchinson, Sam Bazzanella. Front L: Jimmy Graves, R: Warren Bauserman
 

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Sterling & Pat Belcher's First Grandchild was born 4.25.09 and we'll be celebrating her 1 year birthday the week of the festival.