Wayne Yates
Musician · Manassas, Virginia
Best known for
Mandolin
Wayne Yates was a Virginia-born mandolinist and singer whose Yates Brothers / Clinch Mountain Ramblers around 1960 evolved into Red Allen and the Kentuckians, the mid-1960s band whose Melodeon and County records became reference recordings of the Mid-Atlantic bluegrass tradition.
- Born April 9, 1933 in Manassas, Virginia; parents originally from the Buchanan County, Virginia coal-mining region.
- Got his first mandolin (a Sears-Roebuck) around 1942; learned initially from his father in church-trio settings.
- With brother Bill Yates and Bill Emerson, formed the Yates Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Ramblers around 1960; the group later evolved into Red Allen and the Kentuckians after Red Allen joined.
- As mandolinist for the Kentuckians, recorded two landmark mid-1960s albums: "The Solid Bluegrass Sound by The Kentuckians" (Melodeon, 1965, with Chubby Wise on fiddle) and "Bluegrass Country" (County 704).
- In 1966 played mandolin in a band with Bill Emerson (banjo), Buzz Busby (guitar), and Earl Brown (bass).
- After leaving the Kentuckians, mostly stayed close to home rather than tour; brother Bill went on to play with Jimmy Martin and the Country Gentlemen.
- Led later bands Yates, Arnold and Company (1979) and Wayne Yates and Company (1980 onward); known as a strong vocalist who could sing lead, baritone, and tenor.
- Died December 11, 2008 at age 75.
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Del McCouryPlayed on recordings with Del McCoury
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Red Allen and the KentuckiansPlayed on recordings with Red Allen and the Kentuckians