Ernest Lawing Obituary

Ernest Wilson Lawing, 95, of Sherrills Ford, died Friday, April 17, 2009. His funeral service will be held 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, April 22, at Terrell Baptist Church with Rev. Darren Rowe officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Mr. Lawing was born on Dec. 1, 1913 in Lincoln County to the late William and Etta Perkins Lawing. He was a local legend in music and known by most musicians who played old time and bluegrass music. In the 1940's, he and wife Pauline Lawing had their own radio show and released 11 records. During this time they appeared on many music shows, including the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, W.Va. and the Louisiana Hayride. It was here they appeared with many famous artists including the Carter Family, the Chuck Wagon Gang and Hank Williams. In 1961 Ernest and Pauline performed and managed the Cat Square Grand Old Opry at Vale. In 1965 they opened the Lake Norman Music Hall. It was here they had the first ever Blue Grass Festival in North Carolina. In 1965 they also had the first Lake Norman Fiddlers Convention. After the Music Hall was sold in 1978, the Fiddlers Convention was moved to Cross Country Campground where it continues to this day. Ernest continued to be Master of Ceremonies until 2006. He also promoted the Balls Creek Fiddlers Convention, which lasted for 20 years. After the death of Pauline Lawing in 2000, he continued to promote and go to old time and bluegrass shows. He always loved playing his old 1938 D-6 Gibson guitar and said his only regret was not ever playing on the Grand Old Opry. He always loved talking to other musicians and could tell great stores about music and artists of another day. He will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Mary Todd Rabon Lawing of the home; son, Eddie Keith Lawing of Sherrills Ford; stepdaughter Betty Sigmon of Charlotte; sister Edith Robinson of Lincolnton; and numerous nephews and nieces. Warlick Funeral Home is serving the Lawing family.