VIRGINIA BEACH, Dec. 9 – William Kenneth “Kenney” Haddock, whom Bluegrass Unlimited magazine had honored as the No. 1 bluegrass dobro player in the country, died November 21, 2010 at an assisted-living facility in Virginia Beach. He most recently had lived in Mineral, near Lake Anna, where he loved to boat, fish and picnic.

The 74-year-old musician, who also played the banjo, fiddle and mandolin, was born in Richmond in 1935 to a Methodist minister's family and lived all over Virginia according to his sister, Martha Haberstumpf of Manteo, NC. Mr. Haddock lived in Farmville for a few years during his youth and attended Farmville High School in the early 1950's.

He went into the Army before graduating from high school and earned his GED during his service.

When he left the Army, he worked various jobs while he pursued a musical career. He surveyed, sold motor homes, did trailer set-ups and sold used cars. An avid pilot, he sometimes sold small airplanes that he flew.

Mr. Haddock's music took him around the country.

He played in Richmond on WRVA radio's “Old Dominion Barn Dance.” He appeared with Flatt and Scruggs on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.

He played at a hootenanny with the Country Gentlemen in 1961 at New York's Carnegie Hall that produced a recording titled “Bluegrass at Carnegie Hall.” He played at Woodstock.

In addition to his sister, Martha Haberstumpf, survivors include a sister, Carol “Sue” Monfalcone of Glen Allen; stepmother, Frances B. Haddock of Fredericksburg; and a companion, Madeline “Meg” Gregory of Louisa.

A date for a memorial service has not been set.

Courtesy of the Richmond-Times Dispatch