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Charlie Waller, who led the
Country Gentlemen, for many decades, died August 18, 2004,
apparently of a massive heart attack at his home.
Waller died about two hours
after completing an interview for Country Standard Time
magazine and web site.
“I’d actually spoken to Charlie
both Tuesday and Wednesday,” said Rick Bell, a free-lance
country music writer who lives in San Diego. “He was fine
Tuesday, but he seemed a little disoriented on Wednesday. He
had a hard time remembering song titles from the new album and
was a little bothered because he had to learn 12 new songs to
play live.”
A new album by Waller, “Songs
of the American Spirit,” was released later at the end of the
month on Pinecastle Records.
The Country Gentlemen, which
Waller started in 1957, included such artists as Ricky Skaggs,
Eddie Adcock, John Duffey and Doyle Lawson. Waller recorded
many bluegrass hits and has earned a place in the Bluegrass
Hall of Honor.
Beginning his professional
career in Washington, DC in local bars at the age of 13,
Waller quickly progressed into larger venues during his
teenage years. From there, he left for Baltimore to perform
with Earl Taylor. He then met Buzz Busby who was looking for a
guitar player and singer. Waller landed that job and was with
Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys for two years before a twist of
fate occurred.
After a life-threatening
automobile accident involving most of the Bayou Boys, Waller
was asked to join a band to fill in for the dates the Bayou
Boys would miss while recovering.
Waller was then united with the
original or “classic” Country Gentlemen: Larry Lahey (bass),
John Duffey (mandolin), Bill Emerson (banjo), while he was on
guitar and sang lead vocals. They immediately realized they
had something special and knew they had to keep it going,
according to Pinecastle. On July 4, 1957, The Country
Gentlemen were formed.
The Country Gentlemen were
inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s
(IBMA) Hall of Honor in 1996. Throughout the years this group
of personnel has recorded nearly 40 albums and provided us
with many classic songs.
Waller was proud of the Country
Gentlemens current lineup, which included his son, Randy.
“I’ve had this band for 47
years. We’ve had some great players, but I’m partial to the
group we have now; they’re finer than any we’ve ever had,”
Waller said. Adding that he was planning to leave the evening
of his death for a weekend of shows starting in Cherokee, N.C.
“I’m singing better than I ever have, and we’re tighter than
we’ve ever been.”
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