Bill Harrell

Recording Artist · Active 1967–2009 · Marion · Also a musician
Classic Bluegrass

Bill Harrell was a Virginia-born guitarist and lead singer who led Bill Harrell & the Virginians through six decades of straight-ahead bluegrass and was Don Reno's frontline partner during the celebrated Reno–Harrell run of 1968–1977.

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  • Born George William Harrell in Marion, Virginia; got into bluegrass while in college in Maryland, starting on mandolin.
  • Formed Bill Harrell & the Virginians in 1960 with Smitty Irvin, Buck Ryan, and Stoney Edwards; appeared regularly on the nationally televised Jimmy Dean Show.
  • Released "The Wonderful World of Bluegrass Music" on United Artists in 1963.
  • Joined Don Reno & the Tennessee Cut-Ups in December 1966; the Reno–Harrell partnership ran until early 1977 with releases on King, Starday, Monument, Jalyn, King Bluegrass, and CMH.
  • Reformed the Virginians in 1977; released "Bluegrass and Ballads" (1978) and "I Can Hear Virginia Calling Me" (1980).
  • Rebel Records run including "Walking in the Early Morning Dew" (1983), "Blue Virginia, Blue" (1986), and "After the Sunrise" (1990).
  • Performed at the White House for Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and George H. W. Bush.
  • Received the IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2008; died at his home in Davidsonville, Maryland on June 24, 2009 following a stroke.

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