DaytonDailyNews.com

SPRINGBORO — Paul "Moon" Mullins, a bluegrass musician and pioneering radio personality in southwest Ohio, died Sunday, Aug. 3, at Hillspring Nursing facility. He was 71.

His death was announced Monday by a spokesperson for Classic Country Radio, the network of area stations owned by his only son, Joe Mullins. According to the station's notice, Mr. Mullins was diagnosed in 2007 with progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurological disease. He was cared for at his home in Franklin Twp. until six weeks ago.

A native of Menifee County, Ky., Mr. Mullins learned to play fiddle while serving in the U.S. Army from 1955-58. After his discharge, he took his first professional job in the music business as a fiddler with the Stanley Brothers' band, the Clinch Mountain Boys.

He began his broadcasting career in eastern Kentucky in 1960, moving to Ohio in 1964 to join the staff of WPFB in Middletown. In recent years, he was the popular mid-day host for his son's Classic Country Radio stations in Xenia, Wilmington and Eaton, retiring in 2005.

Mr. Mullins is credited with introducing quality bluegrass to new audiences as well as preserving the genre's musical traditions through his advocacy and stewardship. He also remained active as a performer, playing and recording with various groups, including The Traditional Grass in the 1980s and early '90s.

His many honors include the International Bluegrass Music Association's Distinguished Achievement Award (2000) and Broadcaster of the Year award (2000). Last year, he received an Ohio Heritage Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council for his contributions not only to the bluegrass music industry, but also to the Appalachian community.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Prudence; his son and daughter-in-law, William Joseph "Joe" and Tammy Mullins of Cedarville; a daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Matt Jones of Middletown; a brother; three sisters; three grandchildren; and number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Anderson Funeral Home, 40 N. Main St., Springboro, with burial to follow in Miami Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Masonic services at 7 p.m.

The family requests that instead of flowers, memorials be made to the Neuroscience Institute Department at the University of Cincinnati.

Contact the reporter at (937) 225-7309 or csimmons@DaytonDailyNews.com.