The Mark Four

With the exception of 2 years in the late 1960's, the only live back-up to the Blue Ridge Quartet had been Kenny Gates at the piano.  In January 1971, they added drummer Jerry Browning, and bass guitarist Blaine Bucy, followed by steel guitar player Butch Peters in March 1971, and from this point forward, the band was known as The Mark Four.

 In June 1972, Larry Orr, a former studio musician on Blue Ridge recordings replaced Butch Peters on the steel.  Blaine Bucy left the band in 1973, and was replaced by George Colley.  George himself would leave the group for a few years, and Blaine returned.  Jerry Browning retired from the road in 1975, and Steve Boyd took over as the drummer, remaining with the group until they disbanded in 1986. 

The end of 1977 and beginning of 1978 saw a number of changes in the Mark Four band.  Kenny Gates retired, after almost 30 years behind the piano.  Pat Wright took over playing the electric keyboard.  Blaine Bucy again left the road, and George Colley returned. Larry Orr left the road and Allan Miller was added to the group, playing guitar and banjo. Pat Wright left, and Gary McGuaig was added as a steel guitar player. In 1979, George Colley left to join the Billy Crash Craddock show, and Brad Bailey joined the Mark Four. Allan Miller left, and was replaced by Steve Fortenberry. Gary McGuaig left, and was replaced by Bucky Baxter on the steel.  He, Steve Fortenberry, and Brad Bailey did not appear on any studio gospel recordings, the last LP released being "You Needed Me" featuring Rodney Hoots in 1978. Kenny Gates, Blaine Bucy, George Colley, Steve Boyd, and Pat Wright also added their vocal talents to Blue Ridge concerts and recordings.

Others who performed with the Mark Four were Tony Perkins, Mike McKelravey Jack Carchio Jr., and William "Tiger" Fitzhugh.

After the passing of Burl Strevel in November 1981, Bill Crowe took over the management of the group, and they changed the name to "The Blue Ridge Country Road Show", and focused mainly on country music until they disbanded in 1986.

Thank you to Steve Boyd and Jr. Wood for helping me with this post, If I have left any names off  this list, please let me know, accept my apologies, and I will make the correction!