Blue Ridge Quartet

The Blue Ridge Quartet was primarily a Southern Gospel quartet, organized by Frank Stamps's Stamps Quartet Music Company of Dallas, TX in February, 1946. The original members of the group were Leonard "Red" Mathis, tenor; James Smith, lead; Wayne Roseberry, baritone; Shaw Eiland, bass; and William Cunningham, pianist. Eiland and Roseberry were former members of the Stamps-Baxter Lone Star Quartet. In June of 1946, they moved to radio station WRAL in Raleigh, NC. At that time Elmo Fagg (lead)and Jack Taylor (pianist), both from the Lone Star Quartet, replaced Smith and Cunningham. In December 1946, the Blue Ridge Quartet moved to WBBB in Burlington, NC. At that time Wayne Roseberry left and Everett Payne became the baritone singer.

Burl Strevel joined the quartet in June, 1947 to sing bass. In June, 1948 they moved to WSPA radio Spartanburg, SC and dropped the "Stamps" name. George Houston was the pianist until September 1948. Kenny Gates became the Blue Ridge Quartet's pianist, with the exception of time away in 1967-1968, it was a position he held until retiring in October 1977. Former Lone Star Quartet lead and baritone Clarence Turbyfill joined to sing tenor, replacing Mathis.

In March, 1950 the Blue Ridge Quartet signed a recording contract with Decca Records, and were the first gospel artist to record on this label. When Turbyfill left in December,1950, Ed Sprouse became the group's tenor. In early 1951, The Blue Ridge signed a recording contract with Gotham Records, and were the first white artist on that label. When Payne left in 1953, Gates picked up the additional duty of singing the baritone part. This lineup of Sprouse, Fagg, Gates, and Strevel remained together until 1956 when Burl Strevel left to join the Sunshine Boys. Norman Almound was hired to join the quartet, but had 3 months to serve in the Army. Cecil Gholston joined the quartet for those 3 months, and Almound left at the end of the year. On December 31, 1956, George Younce joined the Blue Ridge Quartet as the bass singer, and was featured on their first LP recording. The LP was recorded at Lee Roy Abernathy's house, and featured Lee Roy on piano and Bob McCollum on the organ. Younce left for a brief time to sing with the Florida Boys - June until September 1958. Jim Stewart was the bass during this time.

In December 1959, Jim Hamill was hired for the baritone slot with Gates remaining at piano. In October 1960, Elmo Fagg's nephew, Bill Crowe replaced Hamill, and remained with the Blue Ridge Quartet until they disbanded in 1985.

When George Younce left the group to join the Cathedral Quartet in 1964, Burl Strevel returned to sing bass. Shortly after, former Sunshine Boys member Fred Daniel replaced Ed Sprouse at the tenor position. The group also made their first appearance on WWVA, Wheeling, WV. During Kenny Gates' absence (1967-1968), Otis Forrest took over the piano duties.

In January 1969, Elmo Fagg retired and he was replaced by Laverne Tripp. Beginning in the 1970s there were several years of unprecedented chart success and group popularity. The Blue Ridge Quartet's "I Know" written by Tripp, was the number one song on the Singing News chart from February through November 1971. Tripp wrote 2 additional number one songs - “That Day Is Almost Here” (December 1971-February 1972) and “After Calvary” (October–November 1972). Jerry Browning, drummer, and Blaine Bucy, guitar, were added to the group in January 1971, followed by Butch Peters, steel guitar. They, along with Gates, were known thereafter as The Mark IV. In June 1971, Fred Daniel retired from singing to manage the group, and was replaced by Don Seabolt. Steel guitarist Larry Orr replaced Peters in June 1972. The Mark IV experienced several personnel changes throughout the 1970's. George Colley replaced Bucy, then was replaced by Bucy when he left, returning again himself from 1977-1979. Steve Boyd took over the drumming in 1975, and stayed with the group until 1984. Pat Wright, Allan Miller, Gary McGuaig, Bucky Baxter, and Brad Bailey were all MarK IV members as well.

LaVerne Tripp left the group at the end of 1974 to start his own personal ministry. Fred Daniel returned and sang tenor until October of 1977, during which time Don Seabolt sang lead. Jim Wood, formerly of the Telestials filled the lead slot from 1978-1983. Seabolt left in June 1978 for his own ministry, and was replaced by Rodney Hoots (1978-1979), Tim Shelby (1979), Jerry Trammell (1979-1980), and Bo Travis (1981-1985).

By the late 1970's, it was becoming harder to book gospel concert dates, and the Blue Ridge started adding country/western songs to their repertoire. They began performing in nightclubs and lounges, and eventually became known as The Blue Ridge Country Road Show. Burl Strevel died of a heart attack on November 12, 1981. After that point, Bill Crowe owned and managed the group until they disbanded in January 1985.