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Oct

2002

SG History 101 - Blue Ridge Quartet

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The Blue Ridge Qt. was formed in Dallas, Texas in 1946 as a part of the Stamps organization. Shortly thereafter, the group moved to Raleigh, NC and then Burlington, NC before moving to Spartanburg, SC. The BRQ remained in Spartanburg for the rest of their career. They were noted as having the "sweetest singing this side of Heaven".

In the early years, the personnel changed a great deal until the team of Elmo Fagg (lead & manager), Ed Sprouse (tenor), and Kenny Gates (baritone and pianist) got together in the early 1950's. Burl Strevil was the bass singer for a while, and was later replaced by George Younce. This core group remained together for many years. The group hired Jim Hamill as baritone and later hired Bill Crowe. Crowe remained with the group until they disbanded.

When George Younce joined forces with the Cathedral Trio, Burl Strevil returned to the BRQ. Burl remained with the group until his death. Shortly after Strevil rejoined the group, Fred Daniel replaced Ed Sprouse as the tenor. Interestingly enough, Strevil and Daniel spent many years together in the Sunshine Boys. They brought several of the Sunshine Boys' hits to the BRQ.

When Elmo Fagg retired in 1969, Laverne Tripp joined the group as lead singer. His songwriting skills and intense delivery brought a new appeal to the group. They experienced some of their finest moments with the personnel of Fred Daniel, Laverne Tripp, Bill Crowe, Burl Strevil, and Kenny Gates as the group adapted a more "country" sound.

A number of personnel changes occurred in the 1970's. The quartet added a band, and began to sing country music in addition to their gospel songs. Burl Strevil had a massive heart attack and died in the late 1970's. The group disbanded shortly thereafter.

They were the first gospel group to record for Decca records. They recorded for several major labels, and were the first white group on Gotham Records. The were also the first professional gospel group to perform in a Catholic church. They recorded for Sing and Skylite in the 1960's, and were a major artist for Canaan in the 1970's. The BRQ released over 100 albums. They were instrumental in forming the Gospel Singing Caravan with the Lefevres, Prophets, and Johnson Sisters. Other former members include Otis Forrest, Don Seabolt, Norman Allman, Gary Timbs, David Reece, and "Tiny" Jack Taylor.

Kenny Gates, Bill Crowe, Fred Daniel have been a fixture at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. They have been joined in the past by Ed Sprouse, George Younce, Norman Allman, and Donnie Seabolt.

Reader Comments

I remember seeing the BRQ at Indianapolis at the Cadle Tabernacle at an all night sing in the 60s. With them was the Blackwoods, Statemen,and the Oak Ridge Quartet. It was a great night and I got to see what was to become some of the Giants of Southern Gospel Music.

Commented by On 10/27/2002

I had the privilege of meeting the BRQT in late 1954 booking them for my high school class.We hit it off and shortly I
had 4 brothers and an open travel invitation.For an only child from a small town that looked for things different to do,this was heaven sent! It led to many wonderful memories and friendships in gospel music. OVER THE NEXT 25 years,I was associated with the group at various times in almost phase of their operation but singing.I have never seen a group to date that worked and sun harder on stage to please an audience, appreciated its fans more,took time with everybody,showed their appreciation in actions to their friends and those who helped along the way. Working with The Klaudt Family helped inspired me to enter the ministry. The BRQT and Lavernne Tripp's financial assistance was our biggest source of support in carrying the gospel to small churches across the U.S. George Younce and Elmo Fagg became my kids Godfathers.
I know you can't go home again or back to the past but I wish I could bring The Blue Ridge of those days to Gospel
Music today and for many who have come along in the last 30yrs to see and hear the difference in stage work,fan tratment,and general attitudes that make many of us long for those days again. A teenager of today couldn't comprehend the spirit and fellowship of
being able to travel with groups like
the Rbels,Plainsmen,Harvesters,Rangers
Trio,Blackwood Brothers,Prophets,Fla Boys,Sunshine Boys an others on a regular basis. Going from cramped cars and dangerous two lane roads to busses an interstates,everybody acted like kids with new toys.

ALL I CAN SAY-IS 'THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES"!!!!! It is a thrill to see some of the veteran grous and a few newer groups today with that spirit and little or no use of soundtracks who put everything they have into a spontaneous and energetic performance.

Commented by On 10/27/2002

Thank ya for a great story

Hello my name is Derek Parker from Spartanburg, SC and i wanted to thank you for a great article about the Blue Ridge. I have become good friends with Bill Crowe over the last few months and you couldn't ask for a better guy. I am only 19 years old but I grew up listening to the BRQ. I recently met and keep intouch with Kenny Gates. These are two of the nicest guys i have ever met. If you have never heard the Blue Ridge quartet. You need to email me at and i will try to get you a sample of some there stuff. They are Incredible!! Thanks again.

Commented by On 10/27/2002

Corrections to BRQ information

Elmo Fagg retired from the BRQ in the early 70's.

Burl Strevel died on November 12, 1981.

Bill Crowe (my husband) owned and managed the group until January, 1985.

Other than those few minor date corrections, nice article.

Commented by On 10/27/2002

Re: Corrections to BRQ information

Thanks, Carol for the corrections. I had gotten the Elmo information from the "Through the Years with the Blue Ridge" album. I couldn't remember exactly when Burl passed away. Who did Bill have singing with him those final before retiring the group?

Please give Bill my best. I always enjoy visiting with him at GOGR!

Commented by On 10/27/2002

What was the date of Burl Strevel's death?

I believe it wasn't until 1980 or 81. Also, Don Seabolt was with the Blue Ridge for 8 years during the 1970's (71-78) and contributed a lot more to their sound during that era, than did Fred Daniel. First, singing tenor above Laverne Tripp and then Lead for several years after Laverne left.

Commented by On 10/27/2002

Thanks for a great article. Sometimes it is difficult to agree on the exact dates for Gospel group changes. I dug up a late 1973 or early 1974 article from Good News, a publication of the Gospel Music Association. The article says Strevel was business manager of the group and one of the partners (with Tripp, Gates, Crowe and Fred Daniel who had retired to manage the group's office affairs). It said Strevel joined the group on June 27, 1947. In 1956, he left for 8 years but retained his partnership. The article says Crowe had been with the group 12 years which means he joined in 1961 or 62. Tripp joined the group on Jan. 11--four years ago, which would have been the beginning of 1969 or 1970. Gates joined the group in 1949 and remained with them except for a period of 18 months.

Commented by On 10/31/2002

THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD ARTICLE.THE BRQ WAS THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL GROUP I EVER SAW.I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THEY DID NOT SING COUNTRY MUSIC UNTIL THE LATE 1970'S.ALSO ELMO RETIRED FROM THE ROAD IN 1969 AND THAT IS WHEN LAVERNE CAME ALONG.FRED DANIEL LEFT THE ROAD IN 1972 TO MANAGE THEIR OFFICES AND WAS REPLACED BY DONNIE SEABOLT AT THAT TIME.FRED WENT BACK ON THE ROAD WHEN LAVERNE LEFT AT THE END OF 1974.I AM FRIENDS WITH A FORMER MANAGER OF A LOCAL GOSPEL GROUP THAT DID ALOT OF DATES WITH THE BRQ AND HE TOLD ME ONCE THAT THEY DID NOT COME ANY NICER THAN BURL STREVEL.I HAVE ALSO BEEN CHATTING FROM TIME TO TIME WITH KENNY GATES WHICH HAS BEEN ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF NOT ONLY THIS PAST YEAR BUT MY LIFE.THANKS AGAIN .DWAYNE GARWOOD

Commented by On 11/23/2002

Thanks for all the BRQ info! I "discovered" the BRQ in the mid-70's and they have become one of my all-time favorite groups. I like a lot of the country-style gospel they did at that time, but my first choice is the smooth sound they had in the years when Elmo was with the group. And what a voice he had! Quite possibly the best lead singer ever! I've had to really scrounge around to find their earlier stuff. I wish it was more widely available so that more of today's gospel fans could hear Southern Gospel at its best!

Commented by Ray Dunakin On 05/25/2003

I am trying to find recording dates for several of their Gotham releases. Anyone know about "Satisfied", "Living in Gloryland", "Hold On Brother", or "The Glory Special"

Commented by On 05/31/2003

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