Top of the Morning Don was the master on the banjo and Red on that Martin was so smooth love his runs he had. Never missed it. Came on like 6 or 6:30 in the morning on WDBJ in Roanoke
This takes me back to my grade school and high school days when I got up early every morning to watch them on black and white TV on WDBJ channel 7 from Roanoke. I saw them in person at the Towne Theatre in Hillsville, VA, and they put on a great show. They had some great guests on their show.
Arthur Lee (Red) Smiley was my grandfather's 1st cousin, my 3rd cousin..He went home to be with the Lord in 74. He passed from diabetes complications...He was my great aunts son...Hes buried in Bryson City, NC
I've watched this video many times over the years, & can still watch it again & again. Note Red during his guitar break, doesn't so much as glance at his fingerboard, that's how good he was. Also you can hear someone at the ending of "Whispering Hope" saying, "That's mighty good." Indeed it was.
These Kroger show are Bluegrass historical. Thanks for your contribution. I've watched some clips on Ronnies RFD show. It's a benefit to see how they worked their magic.
Great. I wish someone had saved their shows they did in Harrisonburg Va on Channel 3. My uncle played on the local talent portion of that show in Harrisonburg Va. would love to find one with him on it.
Mack's legs were damaged by mortar fire in Korea. Porter Wagoner was quoted as saying when Mack regained use of his legs, "...he was so thrilled and tickled that he would dance".
I just came upon this video and have tears in my eyes as I listen to the gospel selection. I had only heard them on records prior to seeing this video and I am reminded just how fantastic is their harmonizing.
Right on. My dad used to go see them whenever he wasn't playing (dad's Tom Gray, he had a few gigs). I don't know if dad sat in with them after John left, or if he was in the crowd, but I have a personally autographed copy of "24 Great Songs ".
Your dad is the legendary bass player Tom Gray of the Country Gentlemen? Awesome! Yes it is possible that he could have filled in with Reno and Smiley or with Red or Don when they were on their own. They all knew each other. The bluegrass community was like a family back then.
When did Red die? I do not recall getting this album, so it would been pre-67, but after 64, as I was born November 63. I know dad sat in with Ralph at Fincastle (dunno if it was the first year), which is still one of dad's high points (nope. Can't hear George in Tom. You're imagining things - kidding). I know he played with Bill at one point and Jim and Jesse at Shindig in the Barn (remember those?)
SteelguitarLane Red died in 1972. Reno and Smiley broke up in 1964. And Red continued the TV show with his own group The Bluegrass Cut-Ups. Don started a short solo stint and then teamed up with Benny Martin for a short while then eventually partnered up with Bill Harrell. George Shuffler played bass with Reno and Harrell for a while. George was one of the best bass players in bluegrass and doesn't get credit he deserves. The first Fincastle festival was in 1965. Don and Red were solo acts at that point. So it highly possible your dad filled in with Don or Red at any of these times. When Don joined Bill they were around the DC area a lot which was Seldom Scene and Country Gentlemen territory. You should ask him about it sometime.
Does anybody know if Curtis Downey directed this show when he worked at WDBJ? He and I were good friends, and I was one of his camera operators on the Miss Virginia Pageant in Roanoke for several years.
Mack's legs were damaged by mortar fire in Korea. Porter Wagoner was quoted as saying when Mack regained use of his legs, "...he was so thrilled and tickled that he would dance..”
