He first picked for Mother Maybelle Carter in 1946 at the age of 9. He has recorded many albums of old time country music, not bluegrass, and since the death of Maybelle he is probably the best-known old time country musician. He owns 100 instruments; including Maybelle's golden auto harp and can play them all. I don't know of anyone that can pick, not strum, an auto harp except Ron. He has won many auto harp and other instrument competition. He has had heart problems for many years and died 7 times in June of 2000. He recovered some and was talked into coming out of retirement to record again. I am the proud owner of copy # 1 of the first CD he recorded after returning to the music business.

Maybelle was a 3rd cousin of all that are descended from William Penix and Jane Montgomery.

Bob Adams Penix Roots Web Coordinator.