Community mourns cornerstone of Floyd’s music scene; Tribute events are planned

Mainstay local musician Lester Weddle passed away on Monday, Oct. 5, at the age of 69. Influential and well-loved in the local music scene, Weddle performed solo and with friends regularly at Outer Space, the Buffalo Mountain Brewery, Dogtown’s Sunday Night Open Mic, and beyond. Tributes among friends and on social media began pouring in within hours of his passing.

“I am sad to say my Floyd Musical Father, Lester Weddle left us today to make music with all the other great musicians who came and passed before him,” his friend Mary Lu Hudgins posted on Facebook. Barbara Gillespie, owner of OuterSpace, commented, “Music is the plane we all connect on. Lester Weddle, we’ll meet you there.”

Keith Waldo, OuterSpace event programmer and host of WHEO’s Evening Eclectic (92.7 FM) radio show, dedicated his Wednesday night radio show to Weddle, playing 15 songs that Weddle loved to play. “If you knew Lester, you met a friend. A good soul.” Waldo noted that Weddle was left-handed and in a world of right-handed guitars, Weddle played those guitars upside down.

“He was everywhere and knew everyone,” said his friend and fellow musician Paul Richard Wingren, best known as Big Papa Squat. Wingren said Weddle would be remembered as “kind-hearted.”

“He gave away so many guitars to young musicians,” Wingren said. “Every time he met a promising young musician without an instrument, he gave them one. He worked hard to encourage people.”

Wingren said that he and Weddle were best friends for the past five years, especially after Weddle moved his camper onto Wingren’s driveway after he had to sell the last 80 acres of his family farm off to pay for care for his mother, who passed away in 2024.

Weddle was born and raised in Floyd County. His family has been in the county since the 1700s. He spent 23 years in the army and 17 years as a Floyd deputy, Wingren recalled. He had two daughters, Corey Jo Sparr and Jes Saylor, and was a grandfather. He was trained as a sharpshooter in the Army and was also a storyteller. “He never let the truth get in the way of a good story,” Wingren said.

“They told me it was a massive heart attack,” he added. “I called 911 and did CPR till the ambulance got there.”

Weddle played bluegrass, old-time, and music from the 70s-90s, as well as gospel music in churches. He ran the Dogtown Sunday Open Mic during COVID, Wingren remembered, using his own equipment and setting up in Lineberry Park. He was also a well-known participant of the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention for decades.

Weddle’s last stage performance was at Outer Space five days before he passed. He was scheduled to play Saturday, October 10 at Outer Space’s Cosmic Americana, a daylong event in the tradition of the Americana Fest that is not happening this year. There will be a tribute to Weddle at some point in the program. The venue is also dedicating their Friday show, Oct. 9 to Weddle. “He brought energy and light to our entire music community. His spirit of love and friendship reached far beyond the stage. He will be deeply missed,” its Facebook page announced.

There is a memorial service for Weddle on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Moose Lodge (444 Floyd Highway S.), a nonprofit organization with a goal of “celebrating life together, serving those within our local communities, supporting children in need who deserve a second chance, and standing by our senior members as they enter their twilight years.”

In June of 2023 Dogtown Pizza spotlighted Weddle for his contributions to their Sunday Open Mic, saying, “Without Lester, our Open Mic nights would not be what they are. Whether he's behind the microphone hosting the show, assisting in setting up and tearing down, or captivating us with his musical talents, Lester brings a magic to our evenings that is truly special. We are immensely grateful for his unwavering support and tireless contributions. His energy and passion have helped shape the vibrant and supportive community that gathers each week for Open Mic Night.”

On Oct. 6 Dogtown posted on Facebook about this Sunday’s Open Mic (Oct. 11), which starts at 5 p.m. “We will be holding a special tribute to Lester this coming Sunday. Stay tuned this week for more details on what we have planned. We hope to see you all here to celebrate a wonderful life.”

Buffalo Mountain Brewery announced that they are opening their doors next Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5-9 p.m. “to honor the life and legacy of our dear friend and cherished part of the Buffalo Mountain Brewery family. Lester was kind, caring and had a way of making everyone feel instantly welcomed. To say he will be missed is an understatement. We will have a mic set up for anyone who would like to play a song or share a memory,” the post read.