The Country Gentlemen Take Four Awards at the 21st Annual Wammy Awards
Feb 18, 2007 - The State Theatre - Falls Church, VA

Bluegrass Category

Mark Delaney - Intrumentalist of the Year
Bluegrass Recording of the Year - "Keeper of the Flame"
Duo/Group - Randy Waller & the Country Gentlemen

Hall of Fame

The Country Gentlemen

* * * * * * *

Visit the WAMU Website for more Details

Read article in the Washington Post

 

2007 Marks 50 years of The Country Gentlemen

Press Release - 07.02.06

They were born on July 4th. 1957 and have toured continuously ever since, becoming one of the great Bluegrass bands of all time, legendary, members in the Bluegrass Hall of Honor and SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats.

Members read like a who’s who of Bluegrass music, Charlie Waller, Eddie Adcock, John Duffey, Tom Gray, Bill Emerson, Doyle Lawson, Bill Yates, Pete Kuykendall, Jimmy Gaudreau, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas and a host of the finest players and singers to be found.

Since Charlie Waller passed away in 2004 Randy Waller has replaced his dad and along with Mark Delaney, David Kirk, and Gary Creed they continue the sound and the tradition of this American Heritage Group.

As Bluegrass Now magazine says “come hear them again, for the first time”.

We hope to play your show in our anniversary year.

Len Holsclaw 540 347 2496 - Email LendelA@aol.com

 

 

California Bluegrass Music Association Reviews

Reviewed by: B Hough
7/5/2006 12:00:00 AM

Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen: Keeper of the Flame
Lendel Records
9188 James Madison Hwy
Warrenton, VA 20186
©2006
www.lendelrecords.com

Song list: Shotgun Rider, Old Railroad Track, Hearts & Flowers, He Was A Friend of Mine, Cowboys and Indians, Golden Wedding Bands, Home in Dixieland, Letter to Tom, Oh Mexico, One More Voice Singing in Heaven Tonight, Mrs. Robinson, Rambling Boy, Working for a Living, Blue Ridge (Vassar Mowes the Lawn)

Bill Monroe was the Father of Bluegrass, Jimmy Martin was the King of Bluegrass and Charlie Waller was the Voice. Sad to say, none of these musicians are still with us, but happily the legacy of the Voice lives on in the person of Randy Waller, son of Charlie Waller, and a worthy successor to keep the flame burning in the hearts of Country Gentlemen fans everywhere. Like the Prodigal Son who wandered from home, Randy wandered away from his bluegrass roots and spent many years honing his musician craft in country music. His return to bluegrass can be greeted with great joy - the depth and soul of Charlie Waller's voice is clearly part of Randy's musical gifts. "Shotgun Rider"s" opening guitar notes are quickly joined by fiddle, mandolin and banjo for that unmistakable bluegrass sound.

Randy's guitar playing not only provides strong rhythm, but his lead playing is filled with inventive riffs and his "Blue Ridge" instrumental shows not only his skill but the marvelous tone of Charlie's classic Martin guitar. Mark Delaney is the banjo player in the band, and his crisp banjo playing in Bill Emerson's "Cowboys and Indians," is equal to the work of the many stellar banjo players who have been part of the Country Gentlemen band over the years. David Kirk plays mandolin, and Gary Creed is the bass player in the band and their steady beat and punchy fills add greatly to the overall sound. All four join voices in the stirring "One More Voice Singing in Heaven Tonight," and their gospel blend is perfect. It's a pity that there weren't more gospel or three part harmony songs on the album; these guys can put it together! But back to the Voice. Randy wrote 5 of the songs, and his "Hearts and Flowers" and "Golden Wedding Bands" are perfect songs of love - the love that is la "hurricane that lives in my heart," and the clutched wedding band as a reminder of a love passed on.

Put this one on your "gotta get" list - singing that soars to the clouds and rumbles to the earth and instrumentals that weave and melt around the voices - it doesn't get better than this.

Visit the website of the California Bluegrass Assocation

RANDY WALLER AND THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN
"Keeper of the Flame" - Lendel Records
Friday, June 9, 2006

The line of succession appears awfully smooth on "Keeper of the Flame," which finds Randy Waller, son of the late bluegrass legend Charlie Waller, fronting the Country Gentlemen for the first time on CD.

True, Randy Waller's voice isn't quite as distinctive or as mellifluous as his father's -- whose is? But the seasoned singer-songwriter and guitarist sounds comfortable and convincing in this setting, surrounded by the latest edition of the Gents and notable guests, including resophonic guitarist Mike Auldridge and fiddler Rickie Simpkins.

A veteran of the band himself, Waller leads the ensemble through a collection of tunes that his father would have had no problem endorsing. Among the highlights, however, is "One More Voice Singing in Heaven Tonight," which has been transformed into a beautifully harmonized bluegrass gospel tribute in his honor. In keeping with the Gents' diverse repertoire, there are some left turns here, too. None proves more engaging than a vibrantly woven instrumental arrangement of "Mrs. Robinson," a terrific showcase for mandolinist David Kirk and banjoist Mark Delaney.

With his warm and soulful baritone, Waller is a gifted balladeer who occasionally brings both his father and Merle Haggard to mind. The traditional folk song "He Was a Friend of Mine," Tom Paxton's "Rambling Boy" and the self-penned "Golden Wedding Bands" all serve him well. But when the spirit moves him -- and it clearly does on "Working for a Living," "Blue Ridge (Vassar Mows the Lawn)" and other tracks -- his stellar guitar work shines as brightly as anything here.

-- Mike Joyce --

Randy Waller
Keeper Of The Flame
Lendel Records
BY ROBERT STEELMAN

When Charlie Waller passed away a lot of folks assumed that The Country Gentlemen would suffer a similar fate. Charlie helped to shape the bluegrass landscape with his unique singing voice and strong guitar playing. His contributions were many, but the most important one may just be the gift of his son. Randy Waller has stepped into the role as the "Keeper of the Flame" keeping both The Country Gentlemen and his father's memory alive. Keeper Of The Flame is Randy's first release with The Gents. You can hear a voice that has been shaped with 40-plus years of training through exposure to his father's music. Although Randy has a style of his own, there's definitely a familiar quality to his singing and delivery. The music on the project is extraordinary. It's bluegrass of course, but there's a little touch of country and even a Mexican-flavored song. Purists shouldn't let that scare them though, it's good! Particularly effective are Rambling Boy and He Was A Friend Of Mine. Joining Randy are Mark Delaney on banjo, Gary Creed on bass, and Dave Kirk on mandolin. Guests include Rickie Simpkins on fiddle and Mike Auldridge on resphonic guitar. Other songs - Shotgun Rider, Old Railroad Track, Hearts and Flowers, Cowboys and Indians, Golden Wedding Bands, Home In Dixieland, Letter To Tom, Oh Mexico, One More Voice Singing In Heaven Tonight, Mrs. Robinson, Working For A Living, Blue Ridge (Vassar Mows the Lawn). BMP

July-August 2006 Issue
Used with permission
www.bluegrassmusicprofiles.com

 

May 27, 2006

RANDY WALLER & THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN
Album Title: Keeper of the Flame
Producer(s): Randy Waller, Wesley Easter
Genre: BLUEGRASS
Label/Catalog Number: Lendel Records
Source: Billboard Magazine
Originally Reviewed: May 27, 2006

Since the mid-'50s, the Country Gentlemen have been justly renowned stalwarts of bluegrass. With the death of the foursome's last remaining founding member, Charlie Waller in 2003, son Randy Waller, who already played a featured role in the band, assembled new musicians fully worthy of carrying on the group's venerated name. Each is absolutely stunning instrumentally, knowing when to burn ("Working for a Living," "Mrs. Robinson") and when to lay back ("Rambling Boy," Waller's heart-tugging "Golden Wedding Bands"). And they knock out four-part harmonies like second nature. Waller also proves himself a gifted writer on five of 14 cuts, and one of the finest voices singing bluegrass or country today. —Gordon Ely

 

"Bluegrass-Buehne" # 152, April/May 2006 (Germany)

English Version:

Randy Waller & Country Gentlemen
Bluegrass has always been built on a solid foundation of old and new, but scarcely in such a lucky combination as with Randy Waller. Being the son of Country Gentlemen-legend Charlie Waller he brings a great name and a family heritage into his music. On the other side he belongs to the newer generation and went his own way in the music business before he returned to the pristine Bluegrass. He works with the same innovation, which once brought his dad to the top of the Bluegrass world. He was born in 1959 in Washington, D.C. and grew up with the music of the Country Gentlemen, and people like Eddie Adcock, Jimmy Gaudreau, Jerry Douglas, Doyle Lawson and many others were a part of the family. In the summer he went on tour with his dad and learned Bluegrass from the scratch. After the school he made a little career in Country music, but finally he returned to his Bluegrass family and joined the Gents in 2003. Randy has always been the greatest fan of his dad and is an appropriate replacement as lead singer and guitar player. He is on tour with Mark Delaney, David Kirk, and Gary Creed (the 'new' Country Gentlemen). Mark Delaney began as an eleven year old and learned to play the banjo from his grandfather with great success. He is heavily influenced by Earl Scruggs, his playing has brought him a lot of fame. Highlights in his career are the work with Charlie Waller and Buzz Busby as well as recording with Mike Auldridge and Frank Wakefield. David Kirk comes from a typical musical family, learned at an early age to play the mandolin and later on to sing tenor. He's been working with Southfork, the Hazel River Band and Virginia Blue. He hails from Virginia, where he still lives with his family. Gary Creed, too, learned not only to play the banjo and guitar from his grandfather, but the building of those instruments as well. He took over this business in the third generation. During his time with the navy he played in the Navy Bluegrass band "Dixie Almanac" all over Europe, and he has work and recordings with Jerry Butler, Ben Isaacs and Sonny Smith to his credits.

Eberhard Finke, "Bluegrass-Buehne" # 152, April/May 2006 (Germany) - Used with permision.

 

 

RANDY WALLER & THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN
Lendel 5501 USA 2005 (43:24 min)
Charlie Waller has left, but the Country Gentlemen live on, Randy took over the role of his dad. He had playing along with the band before and grew into this job. The other Gents are Mark Delaney (bjo), David Kirk (mand) and Gary Read (bs); also we have guests like Mike Auldridge and Ricky Simpkins. This first CD was released by the manager, let's see if Rebel will be back with the band. There is one question in such a case: Should we reproduce the usual sound as well as we can or try something new? Seems they tried both, and it is probably Randy who comes close to the voice of Charlie. This is obvious in songs like "He was a friend of mine" or ""Letter to Tom", which both has been already played by the old Gents. You could think you hear Charlie in an earlier line up. But that must not be the only aim of a band, they try to find something of their own, and Randy has written a few songs himself. This way they compromised between old and new, and the actual band could go on its own even without the bonus of the original band.

Eberhard Finke, "Bluegrass-Buehne" # 152, April/May 2006 (Germany) - Used with permision.

 

 

March 16, 2006

Randy Waller & The Country Gentlemen
Keeper of the Flame
Lendel Records | Playing time: 43:25

by Bob Mitchell (Staff Writer for Louisville Music News and Bluegrass Now Magazine)

This is the first release from Waller and the Gents since he replaced his legendary father following Charlie’s untimely death. The younger Waller, imbued with forty-seven years of musical tradition, reformed the band. The result is a wonderful mix of old and new songs with a sound reminiscent of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Waller’s previous self titled release was reviewed in January 2005. In part, it said, "Waller’s song writing skills are evident but none more moving and powerful than, "Daddy’s Old Guitar," (Randy’s memories and his pledge to be ‘keeper of the sacred flame.’)... Waller knows how sing a song whether it’s his or someone else’s... and his bluegrass roots are evident." Later that year Randy earned a Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music In America nomination as male vocalist and entertainer of the year and song of the year for "Daddy’s Old Guitar."

This release is even stronger than his debut album and is also destined for industry recognition. Waller’s deep, rich voice captures the emotion of lyrics and melody. His guitar work is the driving force behind each track and nothing short of phenomenal especially on original songs, "Blue Ridge"(an instrumental),"Shotgun Rider" (a straight ahead bluegrass number that confirms his intention to keep his father’s sound alive), and "Hearts and Flowers" (a beautiful love song). His arrangements are spirited and fresh. Daddy would be proud!

Other highlights include the lonesome sounding "Old Railroad Track," the tender "Golden Wedding Bands," another powerful tribute to his father "One More Voice Singing In Heaven Tonight," a whimsical instrumental cover for Paul Simon’s "Mrs. Robinson," a pedal to the metal.

The "Gents" are comprised of Mark Delaney on banjo and harmony vocals, Gary Creed on bass and bass vocals, the incomparable Rickie Simpkins on fiddle, David Kirk on mandolin and harmony vocals, and the amazing Mike Auldridge on resophonic guitar.

Waller has a bright future and I look forward to his next release.

On a five point scale of excellence, this release is a five
For more information, check out www.lendelrecords.com or www.randywaller.com

~ Bob Mitchell ~

Louisville Music News, is a monthly paper with an estimated readership of 18,000 and on line readership of 22,000.

Randy Waller's "Keeper of the Flame" Review used with permission from Bob Mitchell.

 

Charlie Waller - The Legend

Since their formation in July of 1957, The Country Gentlemen have been at the forefront of innovation and popularity in bluegrass music. The trend setters from the word go, their snappy arrangements were the first to break from the established mold of the 40s and 50s. Their music was the first to be marketed to a non-rural audience. They found much work in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area, college campuses, and urban coffee houses during the 1960's.

Through the years, The Gentlemen have been one of the most imitated and emulatied groups and been a source of inspiration for many new bands. The contemporary bluegrass music scene began with The Country Gentlemen. Immediate offshoots in the 60s and 70s include Cliff Waldron and Bill Emerson and The New Shades of Grass as well as The Seldom Scene. Former Country Gentlemen are hightly visible in today's music world. The late John Duffey was a founder and leader of The Seldom Scene along with Tom Gray. Bill Emerson went on to lead the U.S. Navy Band, Country Current, until his retirement. Doyle Lawson is one of the top performers of today. Jerry Douglas and Jimmy Gaudreau have great careers as super pickers. Ricky Scaggs went on to a super star status in both country and bluegrass music. Eddie Adcock along with his wife Martha are a prominent duo. Both are songwriters and excellent singers. Eddie is a legendary banjo and guitar player as well as a talented record producer. Bill Yates, long time member of the Gents, is now called an Ambassador of Bluegrass Music who travels the country in his retirement visiting festivals and doin guest spots with his many friends.

Charlie Waller, the founding lead singer and guitar player of The Country Gentlemen, is the one memeber who remained constant in the band. Many changes occurred, but the Waller sound did not. His guitar rythym and beautiful, rich voiced helped create and maintain a legend for over 47 years. So many great songs came from Charlie and his associates: Legend of the Rebel Soldier, Bringing Mary Home, Fox On The Run, Calling My Children Home, Waltz of the Angels, The Fields Have Turned Brown, Matterhorn, and many others. The impact of the Gents has been and will continue to be great for generations to come.

Charlie Waller, Eddie Adcock, John Duffey, and Tom Gray, now called the Classic Country Gentlemen were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

One of Charlie's hopes and dreams was that his son Randy Waller would someday take over and continue the band. In keeping with that idea he had asked Randy to join him on the road. For the past year and halfRandy had been working with his dad. Randy also worked on Charlies latest CD, playing guitar and singing. Charlie recorded one of Randy's song The Vision, on that project.

Charlie may also have had a vision of things to come because on August 18, 2004, Charlie Waller passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack while picking vegetables in his garden. He will be sorely missed and mourned by his many friends and fans.

A great voice has been stilled, but a new voice has been introduced, as Randy Waller has taken over just as Charlie wanted. The Country Gentlemen will continue ...

Randy Waller - The Legacy

Born in Washington D.C. in 1959 Randy grew up surrounded by the music of The Country Gentlemen. "Those musicians were like family to me," he says, of the giants like Eddy Adcock, Jimmy Gaudreau, Bill Yates, Ricky Scaggs, Jerry Douglas, and Doyle Lawson. Spending the school year on a farm in Tennessee with his dad's sister, he traveled the roads with Charlie in the summers, soaking up ground breaking music and learning of life in a traveling bluegrass band.

When he finisehed his schooling, he chose to make his living playing music developing a solo career that found him opening for major country acts, fronting regional country and country-rock bands, and teaching guitar in Richmond, Virginia. This wide and varied musical exposure has given Randy a deep knowledge and understanding of all kinds of music which has allowed him to draw from many genre.

Randy has always been his dad's biggest fan. To be able to replace him as the lead singer and guitar player with The Country Gentlemen is a dream come true.

When Randy was about four years old, Charlie promised him he would give him his Martin D28 Herringbone guitar if he learned to play it well. In 2002, Charlie kept his promise and gave Randy the instrument of his dreams. Randy wrote a song about the guitar and his dad which is the featured song on Randy's first CD. "Daddy's Ol' Guitar" brings a tear to many eyes as it did to Charlie's when he first heard it performed at the 2003 SPBGMA Music Awards Show in Nashville.