Chris ‘Twitch’ Bradford – image courtesy of Rudy Fest
Chris Bradford of Ashland, KY, died on December 20 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland after an extended illness. He had long been known as ‘Twitch’ to his friends and family.
Never a professional musician, Twitch was more what you would call a super fan. He was a regular volunteer at Rudy Fest, and a dedicated member of the Orange Army, a Kentucky charitable organization that helps raise funds to support cancer patients in eastern Kentucky. They also host the Orange Army Bluegrass Festival in furtherance of that cause.
Twitch will be remembered for his zealous love of bluegrass, the people who make it, and everyone else who shared his passion. It’s always been true of our music that people of every sort can bond over it, despite any differences of faith, politics, or ethnic background. For a weekend ,they can all be great friends, jamming together, enjoying good bluegrass, and just generally enjoying themselves at a festival. That was the epitome of his personality; if you loved bluegrass, he was your friend.
Bradford endeared himself to artists at Rudy Fest as a golf cart driver, bringing them to the stage and back again during the festival. They all looked forward to seeing him each year, with some becoming true friends. Twitch also helped direct the moving of RVs in and out of the park, and met many other folks that way as well.
David Carroll, who leads the band Hammertowne, shared some thoughts about his dear friend.
“You don’t have to be a picker or singer to be a star in the world of bluegrass music. Chris ‘Twitch’ Bradford was evidence of that. Everyone in the business knew him, originally because of his affiliation with Rudy Fest, but that was just a spring board that helped him build relationships across the country and throughout the bluegrass world.
His personality was so indelible…. He was almost like a walking, talking caricature. He had catchphrases like, “Why wouldn’t you?” that have become a part of the Rudy Fest slogan through the years. They even use it in radio ads and flyers. His laugh has been and will be mimicked for years and years to come, in the most endearing way possible.
There was never a more giving person. He personified everything good and special about bluegrass music and the people that love it so much. Like so many in his circle in the hills of eastern Kentucky and beyond, bluegrass music was central in his life, and his personal impact on that demographic cannot be overstated.
Twitch battled multiple serious physical illnesses through his life, defeating cancer and fighting onward, never making anything about himself in the process. He lived the fullest of lives and created the fondest of memories for so many people.
But know this…… his legend will live on, his life will continue to be heard just as loud as ever, if only in the minds of those that knew him.
Chris ‘Twitch’ Bradford was, to put it plainly, Simply The Best!”
Outside of bluegrass, Twitch worked as a Boilermaker, and was an active member of his local union, who will be performing Boilermaker rites prior to this afternoon’s funeral.
His friend, Vic Adams of Rudy Fest, shared that the nickname just fit him perfectly.
“He was always real nervous, and when he was younger he would twitch all the time when he got excited. The name took on its own identity!”
A celebration of life will be held today at 1:00 p.m. at Malone Funeral Home in Grayson, KY, with burial to follow in the Bradford Family Cemetery on Crane Creek. You can better believe that bluegrass music from his many friends in the community will be evident.
In lieu of flowers, the Bradford family suggests a donation to Orange Army Bluegrass.
R.I.P., Twitch.
