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1976 Mt Airy North Carolina Easter Brothers And Their Green Valley Quartet Christian Southern Gospel Bluegrass Vinyl LP Record VG+
Vinyl / Jacket Grade per Goldmine Standard: VG+ / VG+; Jacket still in shrink
SIDE 1 I WANT MY LIGHT TO SHINE THE SUNNY BANKS OF SWEET DELIVERANCE I'VE BEEN TOUCHED IT'S ALL RIGHT NOW THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT WON'T SOMEBODY SHOW ME THE WAY SIDE 2 I HEARD THE STRING BAND FLAY LOVE WITHOUT FEAR I FEEL BETTER EVERY DAY A TIME OF SORROW MOTHER I THANK YOU FOR THE BIBLE YOU GAVE GLORY BOUND TRAIN Although many of the older customs and traditions of rural America are quickly vanishing in the face of today's modern- ized society, there remains a very strong and rich tradition of country gospel music in the rural South today. Each Sunday, all over the Southeastern states, thousands of people take an active part musically in church services, revivals, radio ser- vices, and various other “singings”. The performers may be husband and wife duets, male or mixed quartets, family groups, soloists, large groups, etc; while some of them sing unaccompanied, most use a guitar, piano, organ, or various stringed instruments for backing. Though some of these groups merely attempt to imitate the modern, slick sounds of the commercially successful and well-known quartets, a great many others still sing and play in a much more natural, earthy style which, at its best, exhibits a great deal more warmth, feeling, individuality and creativity than the over-commer- cialized “modern” gospel sound. Among the best of these traditional, or “home-style” groups is the Easter Brothers band from Mt. Airy, N. C., otherwise known as the Green Valley Quartet. Featuring a full Bluegrass sound and powerful singing, they have become real favorites of many—if not most—of the people who have had the good fortune to see them play & sing in person. Russell, James, and Edd Easter were born and raised in Mt. Airy, growing up during the exciting early years of Bluegrass music right after World War II. It is doubtful that any town in the South was more saturated with Bluegrass and country music than Mt. Airy during the late 19‘10’s and early 1950’s. WPAQ, one of the nation’s great radio stations for authen- tic country music, continually featured good Bluegrass groups on its live “Morning Merry-Go-Round" shows, and one or another of the great bands of the time—Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Charlie Monroe, Carl Story, The Louvin Brothers, etc.-appeared almost weekly somewhere in the im- mediate area. The three Easter Brothers all took up Bluegrass instruments and in 1947, Russell, the oldest, formed a band with fiddler Wayburn Johnson. Later James and Edd joined Russell and eventually the Green Valley Quartet was organized in 1955—since which time the group has played gospel music exclusively. Russell, who at one time did the 5-string banjo work, now plays guitar, as does James, with Edd on the mandolin. Rus- sell’s two boys also are regular members of the band: Russell, Jr., who took, up the dobro at the age 10, had his own distinctive style by the time he was 13, and now, at 17, is a veteran and a fine musician. Roger Easter, only 13, already has several years experience traveling with the band, selling records, and occasionally playing the bass fiddle. Ronald Thomas, who sings bass in the quartet and plays the bass fiddle, has been with the group since 1957. Ronald, a Mohawk Indian born near the U.S.-Canadian border, became interested in Bluegrass & gospel music after “marrying into” the group (he and Russell married sisters). Johnny Taylor, featured on banj'o in this album, has been playing with the Easter Brothers for over a year now. Johnny, who lives at McGrady, N. C., in Wilkes County, at one time played with Mac Wiseman, among others. He gets around on the neck of the banjo with exceptional speed, is constantly improvising, and is a joy to watch.'7/ The fiddling on this album is provided by Wayburn John- son, wno, though not a regular member of the group, has known the Easter Brothers since childhood and has played with tnem many times. Wayburn in the past played regularly with such Bluegrass greats as Charlie Monroe, Larry Richard- son, and Rudy Lyle. Through their popular personal appearances the Easter Brothers have become very much in demand over a wide region (unlike most other non-commercialized groups, whose performances are limited to a small local area). They have traveled to Georgia, South Carolina and the Eastern shore of Virginia, and they are especially popular in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Southern Pennsylvania. In addition to their full Bluegrass sound, and their friendliness and warm personality, it has been their spirited, powerful singing and their fine ta- lent for song-writing that have set them apart from the majority of similar groups. In this album, as on their shows, they demonstrate their capabilities in a variety of arrangements, including quartets, trios, a fine duet by Edd and James (MOTHER I THANK YOU), solos, and a recitation by Edd (A TIME OF SORROW). Russell, with a fine country voice, does the bulk of the lead singing; Edd is featured on THAT’S ALL THERE IS TO IT, and James gives an especially moving and powerful solo on I’VE BEEN TOUCHED. The three brothers are joined by Ronald Thomas’ bass voice in a fine, rich quartet on several numbers. The songs on this album represent just a small part of the Easter Brothers’ rich and varied repertoire, much of which consists of original compositions. Working within relatively simple, traditional patterns, they have produced a significant number of excellent country gospel songs, each with a good theme and a good melody. The Easter Brothers approach their music with a confidence, conviction and enthusiasm that makes each song a thing of beauty. Some of their great recorded performances of the past, such as THE DARKEST HOUR, DOWN IN THE GREEN VALLEY, and others, and perhaps some of the songs on this album, may well be looked upon years from now as classics of their type. Their music is completely positive in nature, ex- pressing a remarkable joy of life, living, and salvation, and exhibiting a fervent desire to communicate these things to others. As they put it in the first song on this album: “Glory Hallelujah, want my light to shine, I want the whole wide world to know that victory is mine, Glory Hallelujah, my light is shining out I want the whole wide world to know just what it’s all about.” Russell & James Easter - Guitars Edd Easter - Mandolin Johnny Taylor - Banjo Wayburn Johnson - Fiddle Russell Easter, Jr. - Dobro Ronald Thomas - Bass Recorded in Mt. Airy, N.C. in August, 1968, by CHARLES FAUROT Cover photo by RICHARD NEVINS Produced by DAVID FREEMAN COUNTY RECORDS 307 EAST 37th STREET NEW YORK, N. Y. 10016





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