Bill Crowe

Bill Crowe was born October 9, 1935 into a musical family. He grew up in Alcoa, Tennessee. His mother, Mabel, played the piano,and taught Bill and his siblings how to sing, and even wrote many of the hit songs performed by the Blue Ridge Quartet. 

Many of his fans know that he developed polio at the age of 2, resulting in a small left arm and one leg 3/4 inch shorter than the other. This made school difficult for him, but he persevered and made music his life. 

After high school, he and his friend David Young organized a quartet called the Victors, along with his brother Ed and Fred Rose. 

Things didn't work out financially for the group and they disbanded. David Young then joined the Foggy River Boys and invited Bill to join him there. 

In October of 1960, his uncle, Elmo Fagg, lead singer and manager of the Blue Ridge Quartet offered him  job as their baritone singer. It was a job he always wanted - "To sing with the Blue Ridge Quartet was a dream come true!"

Bill continued to sing Baritone right up to the end. He became the sole owner of the Blue Ridge when Burl Strevel passed away in November 1981. Bill recalls this as "the saddest day of my life. He was as close as a brother. I was devastated, but I cannot explain it. He's in Heaven - Now that is wonderful!" 

Bill didn't say much while on stage, it was at the record rack where you could really get to know him.

Enjoy this video of Bill singing one of his signature songs - "A Man Who Is Wise"

In 1996, the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion presented him the prestigious Living Legend Award, and in 2008 Bill became the first South Carolinian to be inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.