Renfro Valley Entertainers
Vicki Simmons
Vicki Simmons of Berea, Kentucky, is one of the founding members of The New Coon Creek Girls, formed by John Lair at Renfro Valley in 1979.
Skilled on both acoustic electric bass, and claw-hammer banjo, Vicki learned her “claw-hammer” style from original Coon Creek Girl, Lily May Ledford. Vicki was a part of the New Coon Creek Girls from 1970, until the group reformed as Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek in 1997.
Vicki’s musical talent has taken her all over the world including Japan and numerous times on the Grand Ole Opry, Prairie Home Companion and Smithsonian Museum Folk Festival. Vicki is a recent recipient off IBMA’s Recorded Event Of The Year in 2006, for her part in “The Daughters Of Bluegrass” album. In addition to her extensive professional career, Vicki supported and co-produced albums of regional up-and-coming musicians.
In 2008, Vicki suffered a brain aneurysm and had to undergo brain surgery. She is recovering slowly. Renfro Valley hosted a benefit for Vicki in November of 2008 to help pay some of the medical expenses. If you would like to help, please send your donation to: Vicki Simmons Medical Fund, 312 Angel Road, Berea, KY 40403.
