Spartanburg Music Trail

They say a picture is worth 1000 words.  So I'd like to tell the story behind this picture, at least the way I see it happening in my mind...

It is a beautiful Autumn day, and my friend Kenny is walking through the streets of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. He says "Hi" to people he passes, even stops to shake a hand of an old friend as he goes.  As he passes along North Dunbar Street, he sees a plaque mounted, and does a double take!

He stops, looks at the plaque, and sure enough, in a flashback from the early 1960's, he sees a familiar face smiling back at him.  A smile he sees in the mirror every morning. Yes, he is looking at a picture of himself, along with his friends Burl Strevel, Ed Sprouse, Elmo Fagg, and Bill Crowe! You see, my friend is Kenny Gates, who was the pianist for the Blue Ridge Quartet, a gospel singing group formed in 1946, which moved to Spartanburg in 1948, and which he joined a year later. He even sang baritone with the quartet for 6 years. They sang the "Sweetest Singing This Side Of Heaven" for almost 40 years, and in 2011, this plaque was erected on what is called the "Spartanburg Music Trail". It honors 13 singers and musicians who called Spartanburg home.

The plaque says "The Blue Ridge Quartet was a pioneering gospel group, rising to national prominence through it's syndicated television show 'Music For All America,'  which was filmed at Spartanburg's WSPA.  Founded in 1946 by Elmo Fagg, Ed Sprouse, Kenny Gates, and Burl Strevel, and later joined by Bill Crowe, the group would go on to record several hit songs and over 100 albums during the next four decades."
Kenny states "What an honor it was for us to be a part of that group along with the Marshall Tucker Band, The Sparkletones, Don Reno, Buck Trent and others."

Jim Wood

Jim Wood was born in Florida on October 23, 1952. He began his gospel music career with The Telestials.  He wrote and sang 2 songs which were nominated  for Dove Awards in 1976 and 1977 - "Here They Come" and "One Way Flight."

Jim left the Telestials in 1978, and sang briefly with the Southmen Quartet before joining the Blue Ridge Quartet as their lead singer, where he stayed until 1984. An EP was released shortly after he joined, with 4 songs - It's Worth It All, Leaning On The Everlasting Arms, Love Lifted Me, and How Great Thou Art.   He appeared on 4 gospel LP's with the Blue Ridge -  "Thank You, Mister DJ", "Here They Come", "The Battle For My Daddy's Soul", and "Those Cotton Pickin' Blue Ridge". He also appears as a backup singer on the Blue Ridge's Rodney Hoots solo LP "You Needed Me".  Rodney had high praise for Jim - "Jim was one of the best lead singers I myself have ever sang with and one of the best all around "Entertainers" in the business, Give him a guitar and he could entertain a crowd for hours by himself!!!!" 

Members of the Mark IV also spoke highly of him...  George Colley says "Jim was a jewel in every sense.", and Steve Boyd said Jim was "(The) Best lead singer I ever got the chance to work with, and call my friend. It was an honor to have him in our group." Jim passed away on March 11, 2006 at the age of 53. 

Blue Ridge Country Road Show

In the late 1970's, The Blue Ridge began adding more country songs to their Gospel repertoire.  After the passing of Burl Strevel in Nov. 1981, they shifted their focus entirely to country music, and became known as the Blue Ridge Country Road Show.

5 music videos of the Blue Ridge singing Country are now available on a DVD, along with a Blue Ridge Country Road Show TV appearance, complete with music and interviews.  Anyone who is interested may order a copy, along with any other Blue Ridge CD's or DVD's as shown on the right side of this blog.

LaVerne Tripp

LaVerne Tripp was born on April 11, 1944, in Chocowinity, North Carolina. It was at a camp meeting there that he first sang publicly, as a 2 1/2 year old.  For all of us, thankfully, his love of singing, and desire to sing has never faded! During his time as a student at Holmes College of the Bible, he sang as part of a trio at local churches. He also sang with the Rangers Quartet, Jubilee Quartet, Palmetto State Quartet, and Sierras before joining the Blue Ridge Quartet as their lead singer in 1969.

His youth and energy revitalized the quartet, as did his song writing.  He wrote and recorded 3 straight number one gospel songs - "I Know", "That Day Is Almost Here", and "After Calvary". Concerts were sold out weeks in advance, and record sales were through the roof. LaVerne was nominated 8 times for the Dove Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the Christina Music industry. In 1971, he was voted male vocalist of the year, and "I Know" was song of the year.

At the end of 1974, with the Blue Ridge's popularity at it's highest, LaVerne made the decision to leave the quartet, giving his life to God and became an evangelist. He has traveled for the last 40 years with his wife Edith, and his family, to churches all across America and around the world, singing and sharing the Gospel. LaVerne is still ministering today, and you can follow him at LaVerne Tripp Ministries

Ed Sprouse

Ed Sprouse was born on September 20, 1923, in Fernbank, Alabama.  His music career started in 1941 when he won first place in the Stamps-Baxter School of Music contest. Ed's first professional singing job was with the Smile Awhile Quartet of Macon, Georgia. He also sang with the Old Timers Quartet, but is best known for his work with the Blue Ridge Quartet.  Joining in November 1950, he sang tenor with the Blue Ridge until 1965. His unmistakable tenor voice can be heard on "No Disappointments In Heaven", and many other beautiful songs.

Ed went into the furniture business after leaving the Blue Ridge, but remained active in singing, and was music director at Central United Methodist Church in Columbus, Mississippi. In the 1980's, he sang with the Senators Quartet, and performed with Fred Daniel, Bill Crowe, Kenny Gates, and George Younce at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Shows.  Ed passed away September 21, 2014, just one day after his 91st birthday.