About
Biography
Chip was born and raised in Courtland, VA. As a witness to the slow decline of my hometown, I am deeply concerned about the future and direction of Courtland.
By casting your vote for me on November, 3rd (early voting is on 09.18.2026), you are casting a vote for a chance at a bright future for our beloved community.
It needs a neighbor who already lives here. Chip Talley grew up in this town, worked in public service, and never stopped calling Courtland home. On November 3—or starting with early voting on September 18—vote for the person who will treat this community like it is his own, because it is.
Background
Chip is a Courtland neighbor and a Federal Law Enforcement veteran.
Courtland needs a local born and raised man who knows this farming community of Courtland, VA; the town, the river, and the people who keep it going. Chip Talley is a hometown son, a federal law-enforcement veteran, and the guitarist the Bluegrass world knows as Big John. “Big John” Talley is an American bluegrass guitarist and vocalist from southern Virginia who has spent over four decades in the music industry.
Education
He earned an Associates degree in Administration of Justice with a specialty in Police Science from PDCCC and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Bluefield University.
He earned his Eagle Scout in Courtland Troop 211 before he turned 18. He picked up the guitar at nine years old. At seventeen he won the Virginia State Championship for male vocalist of the year and the Virginia Folk Music Association state championship, played numerous shows with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, and performed at the Grand Ole Opry on Octotber 19th, 1990. Chip also played with George Winn and his bluegrass partners on a song for the soundtrack of the Paramount Pictures’ film Lassie. On the local level, he played with the band "Big Time". Chip is a Master Mason and past Worshipful Master of Franklin Lodge 151, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Knight Templar. He was named a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky.
Relevant accomplishments
Chip Talley has achieved several notable accomplishments during his career, such as:
Chip is a Kentucky Colonel
Chip, also known as Big John, was named an Honorable Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear on February, 18th 2023 for his efforts in the preservation of bluegrass music having performed with the likes of Wayne Lewis, Bill Monroe, and others. This is one of the Commonwealth’s highest honorary titles. The commission recognizes service and character, not politics. This is simple proof of the same thing his friends and neighbors already know: he has spent a working life in public service, and that record has been honored beyond Southampton County.
31 Years of Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement
He has extensive leadership experience that was earned through his time serving as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer as a Lead Federal Firearms Instructor. Within the role of the Lead Federal Firearms Instructor, his leadership skillset was further enhanced through his responsibilities as a D.O.J. Supervisor. Within this role, he was responsible supervising the annual certification and extensive firearms training for: B.O.P., Virginia State Police, Petersburg PD, Chesterfield PD, Hopewell PD, Prince George PD, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia's Personal Protection Detail, DEA agents, Capital Police, and others.
Images of Chip Talley through the years...
