Spartanburg in Spartanburg County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Don Reno/The Blue Ridge Quartet

Don RenoMarker image. Click for full size.

By Stanley and Terrie Howard, July 23, 2011

1. Don RenoMarker

Inscription.
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.

Location. 34° 57.048′ N, 81° 55.76′ W. Marker is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in Spartanburg County. Marker is on Dunbar Street. Touch for map. Between Liberty Street and N. Converse Street. Marker is in this post office area: Spartanburg SC 29306, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Walter Hyatt / DesChamps Hood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hank Garland / Johnny Blowers

The Blue Ridge Quartet Marker image. Click for full size.

By Stanley and Terrie Howard, July 23, 2011

2. The Blue Ridge Quartet Marker

(about 500 feet away); Palmetto Building (about 700 feet away); Pink Anderson / The Marshall Tucker Band (approx. 0.2 miles away); Barnet Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Daniel Morgan Monument (approx. ¼ mile away); William Walker / Clara Smith (approx. ¼ mile away); Central Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spartanburg.

Also see . . .
1. Don Reno & Red Smiley - YouTube. (Submitted on July 27, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. The Blue Ridge Quartet - YouTube. (Submitted on July 27, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Categories. • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Persons •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 23, 2011, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 13 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.