Don Reno
⎯⎯⎯
The Blue Ridge Quartet
Don Reno
1926 - 1984
Don Reno was an immensely influential banjo player and one of the founding figures in the bluegrass movement. Born in Spartanburg, Reno recorded more than 500 songs during his career, many with collaborator Red Smiley, and is perhaps best remembered for his contribution to the Arthur Smith tune "Feudin'Banjos," which was later retitled "Dueling Banjos."
The Blue Ridge Quartet
Founded 1946
The Blue Ridge Quartet was a pioneering gospel group, rising to national prominence through its syndicated television show, "Music for All America," which was filmed at Spartanburg's WSPA.
Founded in 1946 by Elmo Fagg, Ed Sprouse, Kenny Gates and Burl Strevel, and later joined by Bill Crowe, the group would go on to record several hit songs and over 100 albums during the next four decades.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 34° 57.048′ N, 81° 55.76′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. It is on Dunbar Street. Between Liberty Street and N. Converse Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spartanburg SC 29306, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: The Rotary Club of Spartanburg Centennial Clock/Object of Rotary
this page online
Also see . . . The Blue Ridge Quartet - YouTube. (Submitted on July 27, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2011, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,060 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2011, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
