Charlie Waller & John Duffey: Bluegrass fathers of The Country Gentlemen and The Seldom Scene

The Country Gentlemen is a bluegrass band that originated from a fateful incident in 1957 when Buzz Busby and Eddie Adcock of the Bayou Boys were injured in a car accident before their scheduled performance. The band's banjo player, Bill Emerson, invited Charlie Waller, John Duffey, and Larry Leahy to fill in and formed a new band that would become The Country Gentlemen. The band had a 15-year run of performing twice a week at the Shamrock Club in Georgetown, where they tried out new songs and sounds. Their music had an exciting tempo and off-the-wall humor that drew an eclectic crowd of fans.
Each member of the classic lineup, including Charlie Waller, John Duffy, Tom Gray, and Eddie Adcock, had unique backgrounds and stories leading them to join the band. This documentary details the band's history and how it became one of the most influential progressive bluegrass bands ever.
After some of the members of the original Country Gentlemen left the band they started a new band, The Seldom Scene, which also had a pervasive influence over bluegrass music.
Dive deep into the roots of Bluegrass history as you uncover the classic country story songs in this engaging Appalachian music documentary. Let the haunting notes of bluegrass fiddle tunes transport you to the heart of Appalachia, and experience the essence of 1960 country music videos that capture the soul of this musical tradition. Join us on a journey through the captivating world of Appalachian fiddle music in this exploration of a timeless musical heritage.
If you enjoy our Bluegrass Videos, I'm sure you'll love reading our new book, "The Legends of Bluegrass Music, The Men and Women Who Created a Genre" available on Amazon: amzn.to/3VUoduL
Special thanks to Ricky Bonovitch for letting me pick his brain for information in the making of this video.

[@johnblack642]

I was very fortunate to have seen both groups many times.

[@terryboswell8133]

First memory of seeing them live was about '74 at the Prince William County Fair. Never forget it. It was a blast.

[@MrWilsonbw]

I remember watching them play at the Berryville Bluegrass Festival in the early 60s. Great times!

[@robertjackson9628]

I was very young to regularly visit the Shamrock in the late 1960's. But there I sat one night with my girlfriend, and later wife, Susan. Wife of 54 years, no thanks to those rascals "the Gentlemen." I went to the right to visit the pisser. On my return, there sat the entire band at our little table. Yes. My wife was beautiful! And those guys didn't miss a trick to ensnare a young beauty in their nefarious plans! But I forgive.

[@jameswright3335]

We would go see them all the time and everytime we left a festival my daddy would be so ticked. Those “gentleman” lol as you say would flock to my mom and her twin sister. I had to reply because you gave me a flashback to my childhood

[@als1023]

Wonderful story and background info. The pictures are not in sequence showing band members at various stages while relating anecdotes of other times. Two of the finest bands to ever grace a bluegrass stage, anywhere, anytime. They are responsible for broadening the reach of the music in very large measure. Thanks for posting !

[@ScenicBliss]

Glad you liked it.

[@johnnyconn4130]

The Greatest Bluegrass singers ever was and always be Don Reno &. Red Smiley ❤💞💞🎼🎶🙏❤️🎶

[@DanielLDavis-df3uy]

So much rich history, still continues. thank you

[@ScenicBliss]

Glad you liked it. Thanks

[@icatfishman]

The negative initial post is bs! This is very accurate. I worked at Arlington Music when John was the first offsite Martin Guitar official repairman.

[@dustbat]

Thanks for this.

[@warrenhuff7349]

A marvelous piece of bluegrass history! Thanks so much for posting it.

[@ScenicBliss]

Glad you liked it.

[@patyoung7802]

Wonderful video. Thanks.

[@ScenicBliss]

Thank you too!

[@dingodingobingo]

Nice piece. A few inaccuracies, but still very nice.

[@gitrpicker]

At the Louisiana Hayride, Elvis actually opened for Buzz.

[@ReadThroughTime]

Highly edumacational.

[@ScenicBliss]

He certainly grew up in the business and was influenced by the best!

[@chriseagle6501]

Charlie passed in Cherryville, NC

[@hdtowman]

Charlie Waller died visiting his garden at home in Gordonsville VA in 2004.

[@nicholassloan5907]

According to Ralph Stanley John Duffy was an asshole he said he loved to pull pranks and sometimes they were down right cruel he was a cocky person and Ralph Stanley got him back and humbled him one time u need to read Ralph Stanley book to kno bout this story just thought it was interesting John Duffy I always admired as mandolin and tenor singer but when I read what he did to jimmy martin bus at a festival while jimmy and his band was on stage my mind has changed of him

[@mayhemhavoc272]

Where did I get that Duffy was a dentist?

[@CentralVirginian1]

John Starling was an ENT MD?

[@chriseagle6501]

So much misinformation and mispronounced names.....jesus....😢

[@CentralVirginian1]

Seems like the creater of these videos doesn't have a depth of background, just does some research and pulls some music and photos together. They are nice short videos with some general info, would be helpful to have them reviewed first o catch any little inaccuracies.