Biography
This popular bluegrass ensemble began as the Blue Grass Cut-Ups associated with Reno And Smiley. A management shift at WDBJ-TV Roanoke terminated the station’s Top Of The Morning Show in early 1969, prompting the group to adopt its later identity after the program on which it had performed for years came to an end. Health problems forced Smiley to step aside, leaving three members to regroup under the fresh moniker: fiddler Tater Tate (b. 4 February 1931, Gate City, Virginia, USA), Billy Edwards (b. William Gene Edwards, 26 September 1936, Tazewell County, Virginia, USA; banjo, bass, vocals) and John Palmer (b. 28 May 1927, Union, South Carolina, USA, d. 26 December 1993; bass, guitar). Mandolinist Herschel Sizemore (b. 6 August 1935, Sheffield, Alabama, USA) completed the lineup. They first collaborated with singer Jim Eanes, issuing their debut sides as the Shenandoah Valley Quartet, yet Edwards, who handled lead vocals on the majority of tracks, assumed the frontman role once Eanes returned to his solo work. Throughout the early 1970s the musicians, occasionally augmented by guitarist Wesley Golding, appeared at countless venues and cut material for Revonah.
Edwards departed around 1973 and Tom McKinney took his place; the refreshed roster embraced a more contemporary approach and recorded for Rebel. Dissatisfaction with that direction soon prompted Tate and Palmer to part ways with Golding, McKinney and Sizemore, who went on to establish County Grass. Edwards then rejoined the original pair, and the ensemble welcomed Gene Burrows (b. 12 September 1928, Bedford County, Virginia, USA, d. 14 September 1992; mandolin, guitar, vocals) together with Udell McPeak (b. 12 June 1935, Wytheville, Virginia, USA; guitar). Both newcomers had previously worked with Red Smiley. Operating as the Cut-Ups, the quintet remained stable until 1977, releasing further Revonah sides, performing at numerous festivals and touring alongside Mac Wiseman. That year Edwards stepped down—Larry Hall filled the vacancy—while Tate, long the group’s guiding figure, moved to Lester Flatt’s organization. Bobby Hicks assumed the fiddle chair, Palmer took over leadership duties and Sizemore made occasional appearances. By 1980 the Cut-Ups confined themselves largely to regional engagements yet continued to document their music on Grassound, the imprint Palmer operated himself. Activity wound down around 1988 as participants retired or pursued other paths. Burrows passed away in Roanoke in 1992; Palmer succumbed to cancer the next year.
Edwards departed around 1973 and Tom McKinney took his place; the refreshed roster embraced a more contemporary approach and recorded for Rebel. Dissatisfaction with that direction soon prompted Tate and Palmer to part ways with Golding, McKinney and Sizemore, who went on to establish County Grass. Edwards then rejoined the original pair, and the ensemble welcomed Gene Burrows (b. 12 September 1928, Bedford County, Virginia, USA, d. 14 September 1992; mandolin, guitar, vocals) together with Udell McPeak (b. 12 June 1935, Wytheville, Virginia, USA; guitar). Both newcomers had previously worked with Red Smiley. Operating as the Cut-Ups, the quintet remained stable until 1977, releasing further Revonah sides, performing at numerous festivals and touring alongside Mac Wiseman. That year Edwards stepped down—Larry Hall filled the vacancy—while Tate, long the group’s guiding figure, moved to Lester Flatt’s organization. Bobby Hicks assumed the fiddle chair, Palmer took over leadership duties and Sizemore made occasional appearances. By 1980 the Cut-Ups confined themselves largely to regional engagements yet continued to document their music on Grassound, the imprint Palmer operated himself. Activity wound down around 1988 as participants retired or pursued other paths. Burrows passed away in Roanoke in 1992; Palmer succumbed to cancer the next year.
Albums