Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Buck Trent/David Ball
| | Spartanburg Music Trail | |
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 2025
1. Buck Trent Marker
Buck Trent
1938-2023
Born in the mill village of Arcadia west of town, Buck Trent was a pioneer of the electric banjo, recording and performing on television with Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Roy Clark, Marty Stuart and others. Twice named Country Music Association Instrumentalist of the year, Trent appeared often on Hee Haw and at the Grand Ole Opry. His country music morning show was performed in Branson, Mo.
David Ball
1953 -
David Ball, a country music hit-maker released his million-selling album Thinkin' Problem in 1994 and has had more than a dozen singles on the Billboard charts, including "Riding with Private Malone. In his 20s he was a member of the Americana trio Uncle Walt's Band, then went on to record in Nashville with RCA and Warner Bros.
Erected by Spartanburg Philharmonic.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
Location. 34° 56.972′ N, 81° 55.882′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and South Church Street (U.S. 221), on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 101 East Main Street (here, next to this marker); Palmetto Building (a few steps from this marker); Woolworth's Sit In (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Rosa H. Gantt (within shouting distance of this marker); Pink Anderson/The Marshall Tucker Band (within shouting distance of this marker); Hank Garland/Johnny Blowers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); To Honor the Memory of These Men (about 400 feet away); 135 West Main Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.
Also see . . .
1. Buck Trent. Biography from the Spartanburg Music Trail site
Multi-instrumentalist Buck Trent is a musical innovator who starred for decades on stage and screen and who contributed to recordings from numerous country music legends...(Submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
His distinctive banjo style drew the attention of Porter Wagoner, a Grand Ole Opry regular who starred in a syndicated television show. Trent joined Wagoners band in 1962, performing on The Porter Wagoner Show with an electrified banjo, that he invented that allowed him to access tones normally heard via a steel guitar or electric guitar. He played multiple instruments with Wagoner through1973, and also performed on many of Dolly Partons recordings.Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 20252. David Ball Marker
2. David Ball. Biography from the Spartanburg Music Trail site
A country music hit-maker and a founding member of the influential acoustic trio Uncle Walts Band, David Balls powerhouse voice and instrumental virtuosity made him one of the most compelling musical talents to spring from Spartanburg.(Submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
3. Roy Clark Buck Trent Dueling Banjos. YouTube Recording (Submitted on February 22, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
4. David Ball Riding with Private Malone. YouTube Recording on David Ball's channel (Submitted on February 22, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 21, 2025
3. Buck Trent / David Ball Marker looking west on East Main near Church Street
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on February 22, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
