John Palmer
Musician · Virginia
Best known for
Bass
John Palmer was the longtime bass player of the Shenandoah Cut-Ups — the Roanoke, Virginia-based traditional bluegrass band led by fiddler Clarence “Tater” Tate, which backed Mac Wiseman and others through the 1970s and served as a respected independent traditional bluegrass act.
- Born in Virginia.
- Joined the Shenandoah Cut-Ups in the early 1970s on bass. Band lineup included Clarence “Tater” Tate on fiddle, Billy Edwards on banjo, Herschel Sizemore on mandolin, and Udell McPeak on guitar.
- Played on the Cut-Ups' recordings in the 1970s and backed Mac Wiseman on his classic 1971 Renfro Valley appearances, captured on live recordings alongside Harley Gabbard on Dobro and guest fiddlers Chubby Wise and Big Joe Greene.
- The Shenandoah Cut-Ups backed Cliff Waldron briefly when he took a break from his New Shades of Grass, and supported Mac Wiseman across many dates in the 1970s.
- Key figure in the Roanoke-area bluegrass scene throughout his career.
- Remembered as a steady, traditional bluegrass bass player whose work supported the classic Virginia bluegrass tradition across dozens of recordings.
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Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee CutupsPlayed on recordings with Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups
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Red Smiley and the Bluegrass CutupsPlayed on recordings with Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cutups
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Jim EanesPlayed on recordings with Jim Eanes
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Rose MaddoxPlayed on recordings with Rose Maddox
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Bill Clifton and Red RectorPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton and Red Rector
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Red Allen and the KentuckiansPlayed on recording with Red Allen and the Kentuckians