Sunday, August 29, 2004
One of My Favorite Singers Passed Away
Charlie Waller, whom I once heard sing through the smoke-filled darkness of a Laurel, Maryland night club, passed away last week. This lyric is from www.charliewaller.net:
I think I'd like to come back as a song
If I had a saying going when I'm gone
A simple melody or a lovely sing-a- long
I think I'd like to come back as a song.
Just think of all the far off places I could be
Folks from every walk of life would take to me;
I'd dry a tear of sorrow when hard times come along
If I could only come back as a song.
Associated Press--August 24, 2004
Charlie Waller, Founder of a Popular Bluegrass Band, Dies at 69By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ORDONSVILLE, Va., Aug. 23 - Charlie Waller, a self-taught guitarist and vocalist with Louisiana roots who founded the popular bluegrass band the Country Gentlemen, died on Wednesday at his home here. He was 69.
He died after being in poor health for the last five years or so, family members said.
The 47-year-old band expanded the definition of bluegrass music, making a name for itself by drawing a wide audience, from traditional country and bluegrass fans to folk and soft rock listeners.
Mr. Waller started playing guitar and singing when he was about 12. Born in Joinerville, Tex., he moved with his family to Lake Charles, La., when he was 2. In 1945, at age 10, he followed his mother to Washington, where she ran a boardinghouse.
In 1955 he returned to Louisiana as a guitarist with Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys, a bluegrass band that performed on the "Louisiana Hayride'' radio show. As other "Hayride" performers like George Jones, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley found fame, Mr. Waller and Busby grew discouraged and decided to try their luck in Washington. The Country Gentlemen formed there in 1957, and Mr. Waller was still playing with the band along with his son Randy up until his death.
The Country Gentlemen is scheduled to release the album "Songs of the American Spirit" next month.
I think I'd like to come back as a song
If I had a saying going when I'm gone
A simple melody or a lovely sing-a- long
I think I'd like to come back as a song.
Just think of all the far off places I could be
Folks from every walk of life would take to me;
I'd dry a tear of sorrow when hard times come along
If I could only come back as a song.
Associated Press--August 24, 2004
Charlie Waller, Founder of a Popular Bluegrass Band, Dies at 69By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ORDONSVILLE, Va., Aug. 23 - Charlie Waller, a self-taught guitarist and vocalist with Louisiana roots who founded the popular bluegrass band the Country Gentlemen, died on Wednesday at his home here. He was 69.
He died after being in poor health for the last five years or so, family members said.
The 47-year-old band expanded the definition of bluegrass music, making a name for itself by drawing a wide audience, from traditional country and bluegrass fans to folk and soft rock listeners.
Mr. Waller started playing guitar and singing when he was about 12. Born in Joinerville, Tex., he moved with his family to Lake Charles, La., when he was 2. In 1945, at age 10, he followed his mother to Washington, where she ran a boardinghouse.
In 1955 he returned to Louisiana as a guitarist with Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys, a bluegrass band that performed on the "Louisiana Hayride'' radio show. As other "Hayride" performers like George Jones, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley found fame, Mr. Waller and Busby grew discouraged and decided to try their luck in Washington. The Country Gentlemen formed there in 1957, and Mr. Waller was still playing with the band along with his son Randy up until his death.
The Country Gentlemen is scheduled to release the album "Songs of the American Spirit" next month.
