User:Hollywood Vampire/Blue Ridge Quartet

Blue Ridge Quartet (1946 – 1985) History

The Blue Ridge Quartet was founded in 1946. Originally part of the Stamps organization, they eventually split with that group and relocated to North Carolina, later settling in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The group endured many personnel changes during the early years until Elmo Fagg?, Ed Sprouse?, and Kenny Gates? joined the group in the 1950s. Burl Strevil? was the bass singer for a while, and was later replaced by George Younce. Jim Hamill pulled a stint at baritone. Hamill was eventually replaced by Bill Crowe.

When George Younce left the group to join the Cathedral Quartet in 1964, Burl Strevil returned to sing bass. Shortly after Strevil rejoined the group, Fred Daniel? replaced Ed Sprouse at the tenor position. Strevil and Daniel had previously worked together with the Sunshine Boys?.

When Elmo Fagg retired, Laverne Tripp joined the group at the lead position. This was the beginning of many personnel changes that occurred during the 1970s. The biggest blow to the group occurred when Burl Strevil died of a heart attack on November 12, 1981. After that point, Bill Crowe owned and managed the group until he disbanded them in January, 1985. The group had a television show that was syndicated in several markets. The programs were taped and shown early in the morning at the studios of WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, SC

During their final years, Crowe changed the group name to Blue Ridge Country Road Show, shifting the emphasis of their music from Gospel to Country. The group made a few major appearances including a show for 25,000 with Charlie Pride, Janie Fricke, and Ronnie McDowell in Burtonsville, Maryland, but tensions with and among group members ultimately led to Crowe's decision not to continue Blue Ridge Country Road Show.

In later years, former members of the Blue Ridge Quartet made limited appearances at reunion events and at events in Spartanburg, SC billed as the Blue Ridge Quartet. At some of these events, only three members were present despite being introduced as a "quartet." Discography

(Incomplete)

1965 The Blue Ridge Quartet (Canaan Records CA-4605/CAS-9605): The Streets Of Gold; Precious Memories; Lord I'm Coming Home; I Dreamed I Searched Heaven For You; Not My Will; Stop And Pray; Lead Me Guide Me; Mansion Can't Be Bought; Suppertime; The Haven Of Rest; How Great Thou Art; Take My Hand.

1966 The Love Of God (Canaan Records CA-4616; CAS-9616): Move Up A Little Closer; When You Travel All Alone; Michael Row The Boat Ashore; How Long Has It Been; Somebody Touched Me; Jesus Prayed Alone; The Love Of God; Gonna Build A Mountain; Room At The Cross; Yesterday Today And Tomorrow; I Wanta Go There; No More Alone.

1966 Who Am I (Canaan Records CA-4622; CAS-9622) His Eye Is On The Sparrow; Just A Closer Walk With Thee; A Soldier's Prayer; I Met God On A Mountain; Here's My Buryin' Ground; Oh Glory Hallelujah; Who Am I; Ten Thousand Angels; Win The Lost At Any Cost; Palms Of Victory; Grace Greater Than All Our Sins; Every Day Will Be Sunday.

1967 Blue Ridge Quartet Sings America's 12 Favorite Hymns (Canaan Records CA-4637; CAS-9637): Beyond The Sunset; Abide With Me; Whispering Hope; God Will Take Care Of You; Ivory Palaces; Jesus Savior Pilot Me; How Great Thou Art; The Old Rugged Cross; What A Friend We Have In Jesus; Amazing Grace; In The Garden; Rock Of Ages.

1968 Sing Out The Good News (Canaan Records CAS-9651). 1968 Songs We Can't Stop Singing (Canaan Records CA-4645/CAS-9645).

1969 And That's Enough (Canaan Records CAS9667LP): I've Been Born Again; On My Way To Glory; He Touched Me; I Want To Stroll Over Heaven; I'll Follow In Thy Steps; Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho; Daddy Sang Bass; America; To See My Savior's Face; Jesus Is Coming Soon; I Know A Man Who Can; That's Enough (Daniel, Tripp, Strevil, Crowe, Gates).

1969 Green Green Grass Of Home (Canaan Records CAS-9658).

1970 Ride That Glory Train With The Blue Ridge Quartet (Canaan Records CAS-9675): I'd Have No Hope; I've Been Set Free; I've Got A Song In My Heart; I'm The Least In The Kingdom; I Just Can't Make It By Myself; When I Lift Up My Head; That Glory Train; Mama's Hungry Eyes; Let Me Tell You What My Lord Can Do; He Paid The Debt For Me; Child Of The King; For God So Loved.

1971 There's A Great Day Coming (Canaan Records/CAS9698): That Day Is Almost Here; I Just Came To Talk With You, Lord; Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man; A Man Who Is Wise; It Won't Be Long Til Jesus Comes; The Eastern Gate; Old Folks Home; In The Shelter Of His Arms; If I Could Have The World; The Christian Way; Jesus Took Care Of It All; I Took God's Hand (Fred Daniel, LaVerne Tripp, Bill Crowe, Burl Strevil, Kenny Gates, Blain Bucy, Jerry Browning).

1972 On The Move (Canaan Records CAS-9713). 1973 The Blue Ridge Quartet Puts It Together (Canaan Records CAS-9729).

1977 Blue Ridge Now (QCA Records QCA358): Pearly Gates Swing On Open; That's Why I'll Praise Him; I'll Be Going Home; The Triumph Song; Already Mine; I'm Gonna Magnify His Name; A Kid's Song; Praise God I'm Rich; He Is Really Alive; The Me I Want To Be.

???? Together (with The Sheltons) (QCA Records 106317B): He'll Pilot Me; Power In The Blood; I Want To Be Ready To Meet Him; Love Lifted Me; Standing On The Promises; I Feel Like Traveling On; Nothing But The Blood; No Not One; I Am Bound For The Promised Land; Showers Of Blessing; It's Different Now; Keep Walking.

???? Somethin' Within: Everybody Will Be Happy; I'll Meet You In The Morning; Somethin' Within; My Last Move; Do Lord; Until Then; Right Now I'm So Happy; The Old Gospel Ship; Home Sweet Home; I Must Tell Jesus; Empty Mansions; It's Different Now.

???? A Thing Called Love: A Thing Called Love; The Smile On His Face Never Fades; I'll Have A New Life; Teach Your Children; Get Together; The Games People Play; One More Valley; Time Has Made A Change In Me; That City On The Hill; Medley Of Laverne Tripp's Songs.