Bill Harrell
Best known for
Guitar
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.
- 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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Gotta Travel OnDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Rural Rhythm presents Don Reno and Bill Harrell with the Tennessee Cut-ups (1967)
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Hot Corn Cold CornDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups (1967)
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Keep on the Sunny SideDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Rural Rhythm presents Don Reno and Bill Harrell with the Tennessee Cut-ups (1967)
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Little PalDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups (1967)
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Molly and TenbrooksDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Rural Rhythm presents Don Reno and Bill Harrell with the Tennessee Cut-ups (1967)
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The Great Speckled BirdDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups (1967)
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Worried Man BluesDon Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups · Rural Rhythm presents Don Reno and Bill Harrell with the Tennessee Cut-ups (1967)
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Don RenoPlayed on recordings with Don Reno
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Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-UpsPlayed on recordings with Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups
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Bill Harrell and the VirginiansPlayed on recordings with Bill Harrell and the Virginians
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Don Reno, Red Smiley, Bill Harrell and The Tennessee Cut-UpsPlayed on recordings with Don Reno, Red Smiley, Bill Harrell and The Tennessee Cut-Ups
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Bill EmersonPlayed on recording with Bill Emerson
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Bill HarrellPlayed on recording with Bill Harrell
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Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee CutupsPlayed on recording with Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups