Priceless

On Southern Gospel websites, I see a lot of posts asking how much something is worth. For me, there are things you can't put a price on, things I'd never consider selling because of their value to me in memories and feelings of a time gone by that I want to preserve as long as possible. Here are some examples:

Others, I had among my prized possessions, but they were lost when I moved away to college. The drum head from Steve Boyd was obviously one of a kind and irreplaceable. The Blue Ridge pennant, and autographed concert posters.... priceless memories. The fan club button, I had, along with one I've never seen since - a group photo with LaVerne, and it said "Nation's Top"

I'd love to see pictures of your Blue Ridge memorabilia. Photos would be great as well. Please share them with me for future posts and help keep the memories alive!

Ontelaunee Park

If you loved the Blue Ridge, and lived anywhere near Eastern Pennsylvania, then you certainly saw them in concert more than once at Ontelaunee Park. 

A glance at the concert schedules from 1971 and 1973 shows them performing there at least once a month during the summer. If you were there, you saw me there with my Nana and Pop-Pop, on or near the front row, taking pictures, or hanging out at the record stand getting autographs...

With my Nana heading to see the Blue Ridge (too dressed up for Ontelaunee though...)

My Pop-Pop with Fred Daniel at Ontelaunee

Fellow fan Carol Parker shared this: "I loved Ontelaunee. It was there that I saw Blue Ridge for the first time. I think I was about 10 years old. We'd see them as often as we could every summer. Then Blue Ridge in the summer was not enough. It was searching out where their next personal appearance was that I learned to read a map. Yup, those paper things we had to read before GPS became available. lol I remember one winter we drove from PA to NY to hear them sing. Yup, that is snow country. We "needed " to hear some Blue Ridge singing no matter what the weather report said. It was snowing so bad after the concert that we found a motel and spent the night. I will never forget the look on my teacher's face when I returned to school with a note that said "We were out of town and got snowed in". My mom wouldn't lie. That was when one had to bring a note to your teacher if you missed a day of school."

Of course, our memories aren't just limited to the Blue Ridge. It was here that we met and fell in love with Shorty Long & The Sante Fe Rangers,...

It was here that "Crazy Elmer" kissed me...lol. It was here that I met Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Bill Anderson... 

Kenny Gates says "We loved working at Ontelaunee Park, the people up there were wonderful. Long after I had left the group, I went by there on a trip to Pennsylvania and it was closed, a chain across the driveway and it was overgrown with weeds. It was very sad. Last year, I went by there again and now it is a beautiful city park. New Tripoli now has a wonderful place to go."

A brief history of the park is as follows:
The grand opening of Ontelaunee Park was held on Labor Day in 1929. William Miller, former owner of the New Tripoli Hotel, was the food and beverage manager. Everyone in New Tripoli was a part of the opening day -- either by attending or working in the park. Over the years, practically all the children in the New Tripoli area worked at the park. Everyone loved to operate the train, fire engine, and merry-go-round. Ontelaunee Park was an ideal spot for all ages, especially since everyone could afford an afternoon there. All the rides were five cents, as were the sodas and candy bars; and hot dogs and hamburgers were only ten cents. Patrons like to say it was "just a beautiful spot."

On Sunday mornings, people arrived very early in the day in order to reserve their favorite picnic site. There were lots of oak trees throughout the park that provided ample shade. Entertainment was held from 1 PM to 10 PM. Many people enjoyed the "cowboy" (country-western) and municipal brass bands. 

Homer Snyder owned and operated Ontelaunee Park with the help of his family, friends, and neighbors until 1966, when he retired and sold the park to Shorty Long, who ran a country-western bandstand. Sally Starr bought the park and then Big John, and then the era of Ontelaunee Park came to an end.

Other fans shared these memories: "Had so much fun at this park when Shorty and Dolly ran it and who can forget Elmer the Clown singing "Out behind the Barn!" So Funny!"

"We went to Ontelaunee Park in the early 70s after church and always had a picnic. I was in my early teens and usually didn't want to go but I always had a good time when I got there. It was something my dad loved to do and he deserved that simple pleasure as he worked so hard for our family six days a week. Of course, Shorty Long was a delightful, fun loving man and his band The Santa Fe Rangers consisted of straightman Clyde on the steel pedal guitar and Crazy Elmer with his funny stories and antics,Like when a camera flash would go he'd turn in that direction, flex, smile and say "Hello"." 

Through The Years

In 1973, The Blue Ridge released a 2 LP set entitled "Through The Years." 

It features Burl Strevel reciting a history of The Blue Ridge and it's members, interspersed with milestone recordings. Featured songs include the very first Gospel recording on a major label (Decca) by the Blue Ridge in March 1950 - "The Glory Special".  

The quartet at that time was made up of Elmo Fagg, Clarence Turbyfill, Everett Payne, Burl Strevel, and Kenny Gates.  

The inside cover of this recording is full of pictures showing the quartet through the years...

Other songs on the records are "Hold On, Brother", Ed Sprouse's first Blue Ridge recording, "Satisfied", "Crying In The Chapel", "Glory Glory, Clear The Road", "Streets Of Gold", "Hide Thou Me", "Follow Me", "I Got Tired", "The Love Of God", "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder", "I've Been Born Again",  "Danny Boy", and "Prayer Is The Key To Heaven."

The highlight of this project is the last song, "This Ole House", recorded as they pictured the group would sound in 1998.  Burl's daughter Debbie has this to say about the picture below: "Gosh what a fun day getting ready for the pictures in this album. I did all the guys hair and make up, to make them look old.. They had the best time laughing at each other!"

Sadly, Burl passed away in November 1981 and the group disbanded in 1985. 

 This LP (as well as all other Blue Ridge LP's) is available now on CD - see the right side of this blog for details!

Jay Simmons

Born on September 6, 1934, Jay Simmons was a veteran of many Southern Gospel groups. He sang bass with The Simmons Brothers (also known as The Friendly Four), The Harvesters, The Prophets, The Plainsmen, The Marksmen, The Sego Brothers and Naomi, and The Expressions. 

True Blue Ridge fans will remember him touring with the boys in 1978, and him singing "Love Grew Where The Blood Fell". 

I never knew how it was that he came to sing with The Blue Ridge, and so I turned to our "expert", Robbie Huber, who explained Jay was going through a rough time, and the BRQ took him on the road to help him out. Knowing their kindness and friendly nature, this fact was confirmed by George Colley who said "This was a good example of their kindness. Jay had been through some tough times .... and the guys told him to get on the bus ..... bring some records to sell ... and he traveled with us for about six months. He was well received and a pretty good bass singer. He was always " Jobie " to us." Timothy Beitzel said "I remember jay giving his testimony of how God had delivered him from alcoholism. The BRQ gave him a window in their programs to talk about it." 

Another fan stated "I have always felt that Jay was one of the greatest bass singers to ever step on stage. I thought he had that "edge" to his voice that you hear in bass singers today. In my opinion, he was way ahead of his time. A truly great singer."

Jay Simmons joined Heaven's Choir on December 9, 2016.

Hide Me, Rock Of Ages

"Hide Me, Rock Of Ages" is the second full length album recorded by The Blue Ridge Quartet. 

It was recorded in late 1959/early 1960, before "He Bought My Soul", but wasn't released until after that LP. It is by far my favorite of the George Younce era. His deep voice is featured prominently on the title song, as well as "Do You Know My Jesus", "On That Judgement Day", and "Just Another Mile." Elmo Fagg sings lead on the soft and reverent songs "Tenderly", "God Bless You, Go With God", and "Where No One Stands Alone.", as well as the upbeat "I've Been Changed", which also features Ed Sprouse hitting some tenor notes I can only dream of!  "The Greatest Of  All" , "I'll Follow Jesus", and "When I Inherit My Mansion" are all amazing songs. The album closes out with "Oh My Brother, Where You Headin'", Gospel Quartet singing at it's best - "The Sweetest Singing This Side Of Heaven!"

Burl Strevel

Burl Strevel was born in Knox County, Tennessee on June 14, 1928, to George W. and Mary Francis Cummings Strevel, the second youngest of nine children.   

His love for singing began at an early age according to his daughter Tracy. She says his older brothers had a quartet, and they would sing at home. Burl was just a small child, but would drag a milk crate over to stand on and he would sing with them, until they would laugh and shoo him away so they could practice. She says he lived a country life in Knoxville, Tennessee, and hunted squirrels and rabbits for supper. He lost both of his parents before the age of 20.

In June of 1947, Burl joined the Blue Ridge Quartet as their bass singer, a position he held until 1956 when he left to join the Sunshine Boys. After 8 years there, he came home to The Blue Ridge when George Younce joined the Cathedrals. From then on, Burl sang bass with the Blue Ridge from coast to coast until he was called to Heaven's Choir on November 12, 1981. 

Burl loved singing, loved his family, loved his Savior, loved those he worked with, and loved his fans. Kenny Gates said "When any of us in our group were having any kind of personal problem, Burl always had a shoulder for us to cry on. He was the most kind and passionate men that I have ever known. I am blessed that he was a part of my life." George Colley states "There were so many good things about Burl, but one standout .... Burl had a way when you were talking to him .. He would make you feel as if you were the most important thing he could talk about. He always encouraged ... and after he accepted Christ ... he was a daily ambassador of the Kingdom. I loved him dearly."  One of his many adoring fans said "I love Burl's character. It amazes me that with as many people as he knew that he took the time to make so many feel special. I never got the feeling that he was in a rush to get away to talk to someone else."  His daughter Tracy sums up why we all loved him so much: "My daddy was so tender hearted and compassionate. He never laid a hand on me or raised his voice to me in anger. For me, he was the perfect example of a man living his life, treating all people as I imagine Jesus would have. He just wanted everyone to be ok and happy and tried his best to make sure we all were. And more than once I've heard Robbie Huber state "Burl Strevel was The Greatest Man I Ever Knew" ...

Sings The Old Time Gospel

The Blue Ridge Quartet "Sings The Old Time Gospel", is a collection of 18 songs released in the mid 1960's. It contains "Who Is That", "Life's Railway To Heaven", "No Not One", "Angel Band", "Near The Cross", "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", "There'll Be Shouting", "There's Power In The Blood", "The Life Boat", "Over The Silent Sea", "Oh How Beautiful Heaven Must Be", "Jesus Whispers Peace", "I'm In Love With Jesus", "Just A Little While", "Cleanse Me", "Shall We Gather At The River", "Lord, Lead Me On", and "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms".

The album was released with at least 5 different covers that I've seen.

Finding that to be very interesting, I reached out to Kenny Gates, who offered some valuable information on this recording -

"Back in the 60's Wayne Raney a well know country music and harmonica player had commercials on several 50,000 watt radio stations across the country with various items for sale. He paid us a flat rate to come to his private studio and record this album and it was never released for sale in stores. It was only sold on his radio station commercials except for a few that our Blue Ridge Quartet sold on our personal appearances. The album cover up in the upper left hand corner of this picture was the original release. I have seen pictures of the copy in the upper right, but never seen any of the others. After Wayne took if off of his radio commercials, it was his property and have no idea if he sold it, or what ever he might have done with it."

An interesting side note, is that on the second cover, LaVerne Tripp is pictured, although this album was recorded with Elmo Fagg. 

George Younce

George Younce was born on Febuary 22, 1930, in Patterson, North Carolina. He sang bass for the Homeland Harmony Quartet, The Weatherfords, and The Florida Boys. And, for 8 years, beginning December 31st, 1956, he sang bass for The Blue Ridge Quartet.

He can be heard on 10 Blue Ridge LP's - The Blue Ridge Quartet (Bibletone 3503, Canaan 4605), He's Life (Sing 452), He Bought My Soul (Skylite 5975), Hide Me Rock Of Ages (Skylite 5981), On The Wings Of A Dove (Sing 453), Our Best To You (Sing 454), A Session With The Blue Ridge (Sing 455), By His Hand (Sing 456), Passing Thru (Sing 457), and Rose Covered Lane (Sing 458).

In 1964, Burl Strevel returned from his stint with the Sunshine Boys, and George left to become a member of the Cathedrals.

He is best remembered for his 35 years with them, and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1998, and The Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999. George Younce passed away on April 11, 2005.

Country Road

Released in late 1971/early 1972, "Country Road" is one of the Blue Ridge albums I will never tire of listening to!

It begins with Donnie Seabolt singing lead on "The Keys To The Kingdom", followed by the upbeat "The Unclouded Day". Bill Crowe's smooth baritone is featured next in "One By One." Donnie, LaVerne Tripp, and Burl Strevel all take part in "He'll Go With You", and side one finishes out with "When We Sing Around The Throne Eternal." I'll never forget seeing them perform this song live the first time, starting out slow and dramatic, then speeding up with each following stanza. The crowd cheering them on as they sang faster and faster was electrifying!

Side two starts out with the title song, "Country Road", a song co-written and made famous by John Denver. No doubt it was recorded by the Blue Ridge because of it's reference to the "Blue Ridge Mountains" for which the quartet was named. Next up is "Oh Come, Angel Band", and then LaVerne sings lead on "The Old Account Was Settled" while Burl drives me crazy with some mighty fine bass lines. This timeless LP concludes with "The Unseen Hand", and then Donnie and LaVerne taking turns with verses of "No Not One."  Not a bad song or sour note throughout the entire listening experience, but of course, that's why the Blue Ridge earned the title the "Sweetest Singing This Side Of Heaven"!

Happy Rhythm

Mosie Lister wrote this song in 1953, and it was recorded by many of the Southern Gospel Quartets. I may be biased in saying this, but I truly believe Burl Strevel and the Blue Ridge did it best!