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" ...