SG History 101 - Blue Ridge Quartet, SG History 10

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

Jim.... I wish you had left your email address so I could contact you personally. Here are my educated guesses:
Satisfied.. 1951 or 52...
Living in Gloryland... 1952
Hold on Brother... 1951 (first Gotham release)
Glory Special... Decca label recorded 3/21/1950

Commented by On 06/02/2003

Am I correct in my memory that Red Mathis was at one time a member of the Blue Ridge Quartet? I met he and his wife in East Hatford Connecticut and were friends with them for awhile. They moved away and I lost track of them. Again, was he a member and, if so, does anyone know how to contact them?

Commented by On 06/22/2003

You are certainly correct! Sorry, but I don't know how to contact him.

Commented by On 06/24/2003

Unless my memory completely fails me, Red Mathis was employed at the Spartanburg County Courthouse as a security officer, I haven't seen him there for at least the last several months. If he's still with us, he is living in Spartanburg SC and as of a year ago when I saw him there (could be longer) was still quite a character! It's great to read so many nice things about the Blue Ridge and my father, Burl. I'm happy that there still people around that remember what a wonderful person he was.

Commented by On 07/28/2003

Concerning the BRQ singing some country music as well as gospel, my Dad has a reel to reel recording of the BRQ from their TV show (somewhere around 1969-70. We lived in Virginia during that time and could get their program. On my Dad's tape the BRQ were singing "Angels Watching Over Me", "YEs, I know That I've Been Born Again" (a great one that someone should cover), and Merle Haggard's "Mama's Hungry Eyes". I remember hearing Laverne Tripp say on the Gospel Greats radio program that he enjoyed his solo ministry a little more because he felt it was more of a minstry. He implied that the singing of country music made the group's focus more entertainment oriented. He was not putting the quartet down, he was just making an observation. So it does seem that the BRQ were singing some country music; however, they only sang songs with themes that would be considered postive country today.

Commented by On 09/04/2003

i had the pleasure of hearing the blue ridge many times in washington pa. when i was around 14 or so. they were the nicest people i have ever met. i got to talk to them many times. burl had my school picture was the nicest person i ever met. it broke my heart when he passed away. i hope his family is well. i missed hearing their wonderful voices.

Commented by On 09/08/2003

The Blue Ridge Quartet were another classy quartet and one of my all time favorites. Burl Strevel was another classy Bass Singer and a fine Gentleman and I still miss Him not being in our presence today. The Quartet, had a colorful history and had quite a number of "Elite" singers and musicians that were a part of the BRQ. I sincerely hope, that their memory will constantly be in folks minds for many more years to come as they did do the "Sweetest Singing this side of Heaven"!.

Commented by TOMMY D MAYO On 09/09/2003

MIKE,THAT IS A TREASURE THAT YOU HAVE WITH THAT REEL TO REEL RECORDING.I GREW UP WATCHING THE BRQ EVERY SUNDAY MORNING AT 7AM ON OUR LOCAL TV STATION.WONDER IF THERE IS A WAY TO PUT THAT ON CASSETTE OR CD?TRACY,GOOD TO KNOW THAT YOU KEEP UP WITH THE OLD BRQ FANS.I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT IF YOUR DAD WAS ALIVE TODAY HE WOULD HAVE A GROUP AND STILL BE SINGING.I JUST SAW LAVERNE TRIPP THIS PAST WEEKEND AT OUR LOCAL FAIR AND WHAT A NICE CONCERT THAT WAS.WHEN HE SANG "AFTER CALVARY" I STARTED TO TEAR UP.IN CLOSING,GOOD TO KNOW THAT THIS GROUP IS NOT FORGOTTEN.I THINK THAT A SOME OF THESE GUYS DESERVE SOME HALL OF FAME CONSIDERATION.DWAYNE GARWOOD

Commented by On 09/09/2003

The Blue Ridge Quartet's classic Movie "Sing A Song for Heaven's Sake" has it totally been forgotten?. Nothing has been mentioned about it!. It did not win any Academy Awards or such..but none the less, it was a good one!.

Commented by TOMMY D MAYO On 09/09/2003

Please elaborate further, that's the first time I've ever heard of a movie. When was this? I never heard my Daddy speak of it either....very interesting. I got so emotional reading all of the messages about my father....I feel blessed and privileged that he was a part of my life for 19 years. I'm happy that others have fond memories of him also.

Commented by On 09/09/2003

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