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!

Silent Night

Christmas is never complete without my listening to the Blue Ridge Christmas albums at least a few times. Of course, this is much easier now that I've made them available on CD :-)  From one of those vinyl gems, enjoy this video I made for "Silent Night".  May you and yours have a most blessed Christmas! 

Norman Almand

Norman Almand, age 86, passed away Friday, November 18, 2016.

Since his graduation from Hillsborough High School, Norman made a name for himself in the Southern Gospel music industry as a bass singer for several quartets, The Rebels in the early 1950s as well as The Blue Ridge Quartet during that same decade

Norman, with Elmo Fagg, Kenny Gates, and Ed Sprouse -1956

PFC Almand served his country in the U.S. Army from October 1954 – July 1956. For the past 13 years he sang with the Gulf Ridge Quartet. He is survived by his wife Sue and four children: sons Barry, Kenneth, Landis, and daughter, Lauri. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Kenny Gates provided this picture and said :

"Our first engagement with our new bass singer, Norman Almand. It was at the annual "Singing On The Mountain" at Grand Father Mountain, North Carolina. We had two bass singers that day, Cecil Gohlston, who was filling in with us until Norman was discharged from service. So sorry to hear of Norman's passing. Truly a great singer and wonderful friend.

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

I know Memorial Day is technically for those who died in the service of our country, but I can't help having my memories drift to those who died in the service of our Lord and Savior. Certainly included in that list is Burl Strevel, and so here he sings "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", for all those we are remembering today