Photo by Danielle Hill
Dave Bratton is pictured.

•February 20, 2019•

By Speck Rhoads
for the News Progress

Dave Bratton spent the past 56 years playing piano, and on Sunday, Feb. 17 he shared his musical history in a free concert at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
Folks from Sullivan Methodist Church listen to Bratton play before and after the 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday, but few know the extent of his musical background.
Born in Shelby County Bratton was weaned on music. His mother Bertha Bratton was playing fiddle at 13 in her parents band J.L. Milby and the Okaw Valley Ridgerunners.
“They were a popular country band in the 1920s and 30s playing everywhere around,” Bratton said of the Ridgerunners.
His mother first picked up the fiddle, then taught her brothers to play at 15. Grandpa played the guitar, Uncle Walt the drums, G.B. the banjo and baby brother Jim played piano.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.