In the 1970's, as a Blue Ridge fan and a kid with a cassette recorder, I spent many hours in front of our stereo, compiling tapes of my favorite songs. Technology has changed, but now I'm a Blue Ridge fan and an old man with a computer, spending hours compiling CD's of my favorite songs! Nothing against the period of time when George Younce sang with the Blue Ridge, but from 1947-1956, and 1964-1981, Burl Strevel sang bass, and sang it well! Well enough for me to gather 33 songs showcasing his talents, and put them together on 1 CD. So for those who can never get enough Burl, here is "Burl's Best To You"!
All of your favorites are here - Jubilee, This Ole House, Must I Empty Handed Go, When We Sing Around The Throne Eternal, Old Gospel Ship, Happy Rythym... along with songs I'd forgotten about, going back into the late 1940's Blue Ridge radio shows.
For the first time in one collection, The Blue Ridge Quartet are together, live, singing some of their most memorable songs. "Front Row Live" has songs written and sung by LaVerne Tripp, including his 3 consecutive #1 hits "I Know", "That Day Is Almost Here", and "After Calvary". Other previously unavailable are "I've Ben Born Again", "I've Got A Song", "Blessings That Flow From The Cross", and "Rise And Shine". Tracks from their 1970 release "Live On Stage" and 1975's "Live At Wheeling" are also here, along with live recordings from 1974 and 1980. Don't miss the energy of this ultimate live Blue Ridge Experience!
Edith Tripp, age 77, of Gallatin, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022. Edith was born February 12, 1945, in Easley, SC.
She is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, LaVerne Tripp; son, Terry Tripp (Kim); daughter-in-law, Shanda Tripp; grandchildren, Rose Lewis (Anthony), Madison Moses (Jarod), Lacey Neustaedter (Nic), Hannah Tripp, Lawson Tripp, and Isabella Tripp; great-grandchildren, Marley Lewis, Pierson Lewis, Eden Neustaedter, and Shiloh Neustaedter; three sisters, Earlene Tompkins, Mary Sloan, and Narvis Hart. She is also survived by numerous relatives, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.
She is preceded in death by her son, Pastor Robb Tripp; parents, Clayton Rhodes and Maudia (Hinton) Crane; and sister, Janice McQueen.
Mrs. Tripp served alongside her husband, LaVerne in the ministry for 47 years, reaching countless souls for Christ and encouraging people that no one ever cared for them like Jesus. LaVerne and Edith served as hosts on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for 25 plus years as well as a weekly program where she shared her delight for cooking through her cooking segments. Edith loved people, if she thought you needed it, she would give you her own shirt off of her back. If you were to ask her who her favorite singer was, her response would be LaVerne Tripp (with a whisper of Tom Jones closely following). She cherished her family, but above all, she loved the Lord with all of her heart.
A visitation for Edith will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Three Oaks Church, 502 Douglas Bend Rd., Gallatin, TN 37066, followed by a celebration of life service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Goodlettsville, TN.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Laverne Tripp Ministries – designated for the children in India (www.lavernetripp.com).
A popular request during Jerry Trammell's time with The Blue Ridge Quartet was the song "What Sins Are You Talking About?" Although it was never recorded by the group, I had my cassette recorder along with me on January 20, 1980, for the Blue Ridge show in Gouglersville, PA. Through the magic of YouTube and video editing, I can share with you a bit of the excitement Jerry provided that evening.
Last week, Dave Compton commented on a post in "We Love Our Southern Gospel History", about a song the Blue Ridge recorded in the 1970's called "Ole' Truck". I told him that I sure did, because my grandfather drove a truck for Nabisco for over 30 years. accident-free. He was two years away from retirement when he heard LaVerne sing this song the first time, so it quickly became his favorite! Thinking back on these memories, I decided to put together a video for Ole' Truck, and share it with you.
I can still hear Larry Orr playing Hawaiian music on the steel guitar while Burl announced the trip Kenny Gates describes -
"In 1975, we hosted our first Hawaiian tour with 105 of our favorite fans. A great time was had by all." Oh how I wish my 9 year old self could have gone! Those who went along will always have priceless memories. George Colley (left, back row) reminisced - "Hilton Hawaiian Village invaded by leisure suits. Can you say polyester?"
If you are looking to add any Christmas music to your collection this year, why not bring home an old friend, a timeless friend, Christmas music that will always be timeless, classic, and relevant
Yes, of course I am talking about the
Blue Ridge Quartet Christmas albums,
which are available on a single CD, along with LaVerne Tripp's 1975 Christmas album, for only $10.00, which includes first class shipping, right to your door in time to sing along with all of your Christmas favorites! Order yours today!
Rise Again is an inspirational song about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, and was written by Dallas Holm. His version of the song won the Dove award for Song Of The Year in 1977. The Blue Ridge Quartet released their version, with Bill Crowe singing the lead, on their 1978 album "Here They Come." If they had made music videos for their music back then, I believe it would have looked something like this video I've made...
How many of you owned Blue Ridge music on 8-Track tapes?
Does anyone still own a working 8-track player? Remember how you could buy 3 albums for $6.50 but 3 8-tracks cost $10? Remember how annoying it was when a song would be cut in half, with the continuation on a different track? And remember needing to buy a new tape if it came unraveled when you forgot to demagnetize the player? Oh how we prayed to be able to find a replacement tape of Bill Crowe's "That Little Girl Of Mine" when my Mom ruined her Dad's copy....
I'm so thankful for the technology that allows the Blue Ridge to now be heard on CD's - they travel with me in my car 24/7 and never sounded better!
Don Seabolt was born in Calhoun, Georgia on July 30, 1944. "Donnie" learned to sing at a young age while picking cotton on his daddy's cotton farm with two of his sisters, Ruth and Jean.
In his teen years he joined the FFA quartet at his high school. The young men would travel and compete against other FFA groups from all over the state, and for two years in a row they won the award for being the top FFA quartet in Georgia. In Donnie's senior year he entered the competition in the solo division as well and won the award for the top soloist in the state. After high school, he began traveling with a regional group from north Georgia called the Peacemakers. For about five years he worked a full-time job and sang all over Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama with the group. As the 60's gave way to the 70's, like most young gospel singers, was itching to sing full-time and found out that the Downings were auditioning singers for an opening in their group. After arriving in Nashville and singing for them, they informed him that they loved his singing, but they were looking for someone with a lower voice and he sang too high! However, they mentioned to him that the Prophets Quartet was in need of a lead singer and they thought he would be the perfect fit to sing under their sky high tenor "Big Lew" Garrison. They were correct, and the Prophets hired Donnie shortly thereafter. During his time with the group they recorded three albums and thrilled audiences at some of the largest gospel music gatherings in the country.
It was at one of these events that the Prophets were on the same program as the Blue Ridge Quartet. During sound check prior to the concert, LaVerne Tripp was checking his microphone and singing a country song. Donnie was standing on the side of the stage and recognized what he was singing and stepped up to a mic and began to sing harmony with him. The two sounded so good together that they decided to sing another one! Evidently, Donnie made an impression with the Blue Ridge because it wasn't long before they informed him that Fred Daniel would be coming off the road and they wanted him to be their new tenor singer. Donnie is best known for his time with the Blue Ridge from 1971-1978, and his flying leaps from the stage. He is pictured on the cover of "Energy" doing just that. In addition to singing, Donnie also wrote many of the Blue Ridge Quartet songs, such as There's Just No Way, Happy, I'll See You In Heaven, Safe In The Arms Of God, Things Are Gonna Be Different, When He Opens Up The Book Of Life, I'm Part Of The Family Of God, I'm Depending On Jesus, He's A Good Man, I'm Depending On Jesus, I Found Peace In The Old Rugged Cross, Already Mine, A Kid's Song... the list goes on and on... He also recorded two solo albums while with the Blue Ridge.
Sadly, for Blue Ridge fans, Donnie left in 1978 to start the Donnie Seabolt Band, where he continued to sing and tour until 2002.
In his over 40 years of singing, his songs climbed the charts in both the Singing News and Cashbox Magazine. He also had his songs recorded by other well known Southern and Black gospel artists such as the Cathedral Quartet, The Hoppers, and The Dixie Hummingbirds. In 2009 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and in 2016 he was inducted into the South Carolina Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
He and his wife, Karen, live in Simpsonville, SC, with their son, daughter and son-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Thank you, Donnie, for all of the love shown to us Blue Ridge fans over the years, and we pray you know how much you mean to us! And thank you also, to Scott Jacobs for helping with a lot of the information to make this tribute possible!
The 12 songs on this collection need no introduction or description, after all, night after night, from venue to venue, these are the songs the Blue Ridge couldn't stop singing! Whenever the boys would get tired of performing a particular number, they would leave it off the program that night, but at intermission, they would be hounded by fans wanting to know why a certain song wasn't played. And back on the program it would go!
"Songs We Can't Stop Singing includes "Wings Of A Dove", "No Disappointments In Heaven", "You're Not Home Yet", "Dry Bones", "He's Always There", "It Is No Secret", "Battle Hymn Of The Republic", "This Ole House", "Follow Me", "Jubilee's A Coming", "The Light Of Your Love", and "Wonderful Time Up There." Released in 1967, it is one of 3 albums featuring Otis Forrest at the piano. Kenny Gates had decided to leave the group in 1967, and Otis took his place.
Forrest began playing piano at the age of nine, though his parents told him that he showed interest in music even earlier. "My father and some of his friends knew about five or six chords on a guitar, and they would get together and play," he said. "I would watch, curiously, at an early age." At the age of 13, Forrest was asked to play piano for a Gospel quartet, the Pilgrimaires, formed in his hometown of Easley, South Carolina. They sang and played at churches locally and in North Carolina and Georgia. Not long after he, as piano player, and four singers, Tom Brown (baritone), Joel Duncan (bass), Bobby Edwards (tenor), and Carl Whitman (lead), formed a Gospel quartet called The Trav’lers,
Otis then was asked to join with the Blue Ridge, and worked with them through 1968 when Kenny Gates returned. His name is still known today as a studio musician and record producer.
"He Bought My Soul" is the title song of this Blue Ridge LP released in 1960.
It is one of two records with Jim Hamil as the baritone singer. Heard on every song is the beautiful, melodic piano accompaniment of Kenny Gates.
Elmo Fagg sings He Bought My Soul, a beautiful, slow soft song with feeling and delicacy. "It's Different Now" is a happy melody with beautiful harmony and smooth rhythm. George Younce and Elmo take turns with the chorus and verses, and Ed Sprouse's beautiful tenor voice reaches sky-high. Jim Hamil sings "Love Is Why", backed with more harmony from the group.You'll start singing along energetically with the Blue Ridge as they sing "A child of God you'll be throughout eternity, He'll Make Somebody Out Of You", penned by JD Sumner. "My Wonderful Friend" is a lovely, smooth, melody featuring George's deep bass voice. Side one comes to a close with "He Kept His Promise", another contribution from Elmo in his inimitable style.
Turn the record over and you'll be singing along again with George, even if you don't know the words to JD's "I Want To Tell The World About His Love". Ed Sprouse lovingly sings "Somewhere, Someday", a beautiful slow song, which is followed by "Don't Say No". The lyrics here, also written by JD Sumner, are as powerful as any you'll ever hear: "He said yes to Calvary and saved you from your sins. Don't say no to him today, let the Savior in. Don't say no. He said yes for you! He left his home in glory, came to a world of sin. Made his life a sacrifice, that Heaven you might win" "His Mercy" features all four in the quartet, and "Why Not Start Today" is more of the four part harmony known as "The Sweetest Singing This Side Of Heaven", made even more powerful by a recitation from George. The collection closes out with yet another JD Sumner tune "A Soul Such As I"
As you can tell from yesterday's post, teaching the Gospel to children has been on my mind lately, and as a result I can't get "A Kid's Song" out of my head! I couldn't tell you the number of times Donnie came down off that stage and stuck his microphone up to my face, wanting me to sing. Shy as I was, how could I say no? Children young and old were given the chance to sing as he taught the Gospel in pure simplicity! I walked down the doorstep, I saw my little boy Playing in his sandbox, with a special toy He opened with a question which caught me by surprise And I saw the look of concern in his little eyes When he said... Who made the sunshine? Who made the trees? Who made the flowers that bloom in the spring? Who made the rivers? Who made the sea? Who made the rainbow? And who made you and me?
Donnie Seabolt with Bill Crowe's son Bill
I picked him up from the sandbox And I brushed off his feet. I sat on the steps, and he sat on my knee I said the answer to your question Is as simple as can be For you see, God made it all Just for you and me!
He made the sunshine He made the trees He made the flowers that bloom in the spring He made the rivers He made the sea He made the rainbow And He made you and me
Jesus loves me, this I know And He made you and me! "A Kid's Song" can be found on QCA LP 358 "Blue Ridge Now", and also my CD # 21, which also includes the Blue Ridge LP QCA 330 "Hymns Of The Hour", recorded with Little Jimmy Dickens.
Christ said "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
In that regard, the two pictures above are identical. The children are coming to Christ through the Blue Ridge Quartet! I am so grateful that my grandparents followed that admonition and introduced me to the Blue Ridge. Their TV show was named "Music For All America", and certainly children are the future of America. On the back of their "Peace Like A River" album is a unique testimony, author unknown... "Hey Dad - that big bus we just passed had a sign on it! It said Blue Ridge Quartet!" "Yes son, that's the traveling home of one of the greatest Gospel Quartets in all America. Since it is traveling south, they are on their way home. Of course, I don't know how many concerts they will perform before they get there, but I'm sure they are on their way home. My son, my son, how thoughtless of me - I just realized, we have never taken you to see them in person. I must remember to do that! Even a little tyke like you will enjoy their concert. Your mother and I have enjoyed them through the years and it's time for you to get to know them too. They travel about 100,000 miles a year and surely they will come near by very soon." "I want you to grow up liking the good things of life. You've already found out how good it is to go to Sunday School and Church, and now we want you to go to a concert of gospel singing. It will help to inspire you to grow up to be a good man." Another testament is given on the back of the "Thanks For Loving Me" LP... "Since we met the Blue Ridge Quartet, our lives have changed, including our son Dean. Their songs are such an inspiration, we can't help feeling good when listening to them. As soon as our son Dean hears them, he starts to sing along with them. Whenever we feel sad, we listen to their albums and it makes us feel good and realize that God is always there to help you. Our son, Dean, would rather listen to them than television."
Of course we all know Robbie Huber's love for the Blue Ridge. His story is not unlike many others - he became a fan the moment they hit the stage. He describes his first concert: "Our neighbors, and friends, The McCallister's church was their sponsor here in Zanesville, Ohio. The day of the concert a snow storm hit and there were several inches of snow. I didn't want to go, and I remember telling my Mom, " I don't wanna go hear a bunch of old men sing Church Songs." Shirley McCallister, insisted that we go, so my Grandma, Mom, Myself and others loaded into the back of her station wagon and headed to the High School....when they hit the stage, they hit my heart. Burl, Bill, Fred, LaVerne, and Kenny...from that very moment I knew what I wanted to do. NEVER in a million years did I ever dream I would ride on the bus with them, or for that fact think they would ever even know who I was. Almost a half of a century later, I'm still in awe when, I get an E-Mail, phone call, text or a letter from one of them. They ARE STILL My HERO'S and FRIENDS. I know there are countless others that loved The BLUE RIDGE QUARTET, but I can promise you this, NOBODY has loved them more or longer than I do !!!" It may be 30+ years since the Blue Ridge recorded an album, but the music is timeless. I pray that your children and your children's children are being blessed by the Gospel message offered in song.
Although other Southern Gospel groups (Oak Ridge Boys in particular) recorded "I Know" and had success with it, our Blue Ridge Quartet were the first on both counts. Written and sung by lead singer LaVerne Tripp in 1970, and included on their "Rise And Shine" LP, it was LaVerne's first of three consecutive #1 hits.
He describes "I Know" as "the kind of song, that once you heard it, the words and the tune would ring over and over in your mind. I knew the song had what it took to be a hit. After releasing it to radio stations, even I was shocked when it shot up the charts so quickly and became the number one song in America. "I Know" broke all records in gospel music history, remaining on top of the charts for over a year." LaVerne also recalls how he felt stepping on stage right after another group had just performed his hit song. He couldn't believe the "audacity" shown in trying to upstage him. By the time they finished their first song, he decided how to handle the situation. LaVerne stepped to the edge of the stage and said "I know you just somebody else sing my song. They only think they know how to sing it. Would you like to hear how it should really be sung?"
Some people say that this old time religion Is just a thing of the past. But in this modern age that we're living It's the only thing that will last. Now you may think that I'm a little old fashioned Well, friend, that's all right with me. But I'm so glad that I am a Christian And from sin I have been set free.
I know, I know, there's no doubt about it
He lives in my heart and I'm gonna shout it.
I know, I know, my sins are forgiven
And I'm on my way to a place that's called Heaven.
Not long ago at an old fashioned meeting
I fell on my knees there in prayer.
He lifted my burdens, sins shackles fell from me
And His presence was so real everywhere.
Now that the load I carried is lighter,
He's changed my gray skies to blue.
My steps are now higher and I have this assurance
That His sweet love will carry me through.
Come go with me to that land over yonder
He's prepared for the pure and the true
It's a place where sickness and death cannot enter
44 years after it's release, I'd have to say that this Blue Ridge Quartet album was very appropriately named. After all this time, all 10 songs on this collection are forever hits.
Released at the same time as "Reflections" and "Solid Gold", together they represented 30 of the best songs the Blue Ridge had to offer. Most were re-recordings of tracks on their previous LP's released on Canaan Records. LaVerne Tripp contributes 3 songs he wrote, beginning with the opening track, "That Day Is Almost Here." His huge hit "It's Worth It All" is also here, along with "I've Got A Song." Donnie Seabolt adds his incredible tenor voice to "The Lighthouse" and :The Eastern Gate", and of course you'll never tire of listening to Burl singing "This Ole' House". You'll get your toes tapping and fingers snapping with "he Paid The Debt For Me". Patriotism shines through with "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic". Also here for your listening pleasure - the timeless hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" and Bill Gaither's song "He Touched Me." Solid Gold and Reflections are amazing pieces of vinyl in their own right. Songs such as "I Know", "That's Enough", "A Man Who Is Wise", "Wings Of A Dove", "Oh, Glory Hallelujah", "After Calvary", "How Great Thou Art", "God Bless America", "I've Been Born Again", "Rise And Shine", "Jesus Is Coming Soon"...
So grab a turntable and let the Blue Ridge bring the peace, joy, love, and happiness the Gospel brings into your home! And just in case you weren't aware, all three LP's are available now on 1 CD - see the side of this blog for ordering information.
Heaven's choir has gained another bass singer. James (Big Jim) Everette Stewart passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Born October 28, 1936, in Clifton, SC, he was the son of the late Ed and Katie Emory Stewart.
In an obituary he wrote himself, he said "This is my final time to bid you farewell. I have had a long life and been able to use my God given talent of singing Bass since I was 7 years old. I never could express myself in words but pray I have reached many people through song." At the age of fifteen, Jim sang with the Silvertones Quartet. In 1952, he joined the Melody Masters Quartet. In 1958, Jim sang briefly with Ed Sprouse, Kenny Gates, and Elmo Fagg in the Blue Ridge Quartet, but never was on any recordings.
He also sang briefly in the Calvary Quartet.
Jim Stewart spent most of his career singing bass with the Pine Ridge Boys.
Jim remained with the Pine Ridge Boys for more than 45 years, ultimately turning the management duties over to his son, former Singing Americans bass singer, Larry Stewart. Jim received the Living Legend Award in 2003 at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion.
You can't see it with your eyes, hold it in your hands But like the wind it covers our land Strong enough to rule the heart of any man This thing called love It can lift you up, never let you down Take your world and turn it around Ever since time nothing's ever been found That's stronger than love!
In yesterday's post (A Session With the Blue Ridge Quartet), I mentioned how awesome it was that a gospel song could reach #1 on the pop charts. Today, I will share the story of a gospel song making it into the opening scenes of an X-rated movie... Say what??? Yes, I did just say that. Sometime in 1968, The Blue Ridge Quartet were approached about having their song "Oh Glory, Hallelujah", written by Mabel Crowe, in an upcoming feature film. The story goes that they accepted the offer, deposited the money, and never knew what film the song would be used in, or what the context would be. Much to their horror, the song shows up in the opening scene of "Midnight Cowboy", an X-rated movie released in 1969. Midnight Cowboy stars Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, and has since been changed to a R rating, if you'd like to check out the fist few minutes to hear the song. Basically, (from Wikipedia, I've never watched the movie) the film opens as Joe Buck (Voight), a young Texan working as a dishwasher, dresses in new cowboy clothing, packs a suitcase, and quits his job. He heads to New York City hoping to succeed as a prostitute. In the scene, Voight is on a bus scanning a transistor radio when he stops on the song "Oh Glory, Glory Hallelujah," Luckily for us Blue Ridge devotees, that is not how we remember the song. Many a concert finished off with Bill Crowe singing:
Burdens now are lighter, brighter is my way It is such a joy to walk with Him
