Don Reno was one of the first super pickers, if it had strings Reno could play it. Once I saw him with Bill Harrell, it was great. Toward the end of the show Reno picked up his guitar, Tony Rice, Doc any of them had nothing on Reno! He was a monster! The crowd went nuts, me among them!
Thats awesome! Don was a fantastic flatpicker. Doc credits Reno as a major influence on his guitar style. In the late forties Don gave lessons and worked with a young Hank Garkand on the big station out of Spartanburg
A friend and I saw Reno and Smiley in the late sixties at a show headlined by George Jones and I can attest to the accuracy of this posting . Don and Red played on and on while George Jones refused to come out of the green room and became physically violent ( i.e. chair throwing while drunk ... I was told ) but in any case another act carried on while Don and Red took a break .Best of all they were very gracious and picked a little with us backstage , and just chatted . If you have any doubt about Dons virtuosity , he and my friend spent time working out a little ditty called "Nola" a theme from the Little Rascals movies . To say the least I was gobsmacked by Dons virtuosity and their friendliness to a couple of kids and for me the best of all ,I got to see, admire , and actually touch Red's D-45 . Does anyone know what happened to it ? Anyway they were the best and I'll never forget them ...just great people as well as musicians
Reno & Smiley's stage formula of having an always entertaining mix of: danceable country, bluegrass, gospel & comedy was an inspiration for the stage work of 'Hot Rize'. As for country music stars supposedly refusing to follow the live shows of Reno & Smiley: while this may have been true for a few country acts, this is a bit of an old, urban myth, IMO.
So ultimately, the country stars had refused to follow "Reno & Smiley" all because of Carlton Haney unexpectedly cutting off Bill Anderson during the closing part of that one show & having Reno & Smiley do the closing instead? Did I understand that correctly? 🤔
Really enjoy these stories, thanks for posting!
Thanks so much for watching!
Don Reno was the real deal. Like many others, he always took the time for you. Good job Butch!
These words are golden. Entertainers take note, it's not about you, give the people what they want and they will support you.
Very well said. Thanks for watching!
That’s the difference between an “entertainer” and a true artist such as Bob Dylan
Don Reno was my next door neighbor in Lynchburg Virginia
Awesome! Did you get to know Don well?
@@bradapplemusic yes I also went to school with both of the younger boys.
Great insight. Thank you sir.
Thanks for watching!
Don Reno was one of the first super pickers, if it had strings Reno could play it. Once I saw him with Bill Harrell, it was great. Toward the end of the show Reno picked up his guitar, Tony Rice, Doc any of them had nothing on Reno! He was a monster! The crowd went nuts, me among them!
Thanks so much for sharing! I would have loved to have seen that! Don Reno was incredible!
@@bradapplemusic band was Reno, Harrell, Buck Ryan (fiddle) and Ed Ferris (bass). 1975.
Thats awesome! Don was a fantastic flatpicker. Doc credits Reno as a major influence on his guitar style. In the late forties Don gave lessons and worked with a young Hank Garkand on the big station out of Spartanburg
A friend and I saw Reno and Smiley in the late sixties at a show headlined by George Jones and I can attest to the accuracy of this posting . Don and Red played on and on while George Jones refused to come out of the green room and became physically violent ( i.e. chair throwing while drunk ... I was told ) but in any case another act carried on while Don and Red took a break .Best of all they were very gracious and picked a little with us backstage , and just chatted . If you have any doubt about Dons virtuosity , he and my friend spent time working out a little ditty called "Nola" a theme from the Little Rascals movies . To say the least I was gobsmacked by Dons virtuosity and their friendliness to a couple of kids and for me the best of all ,I got to see, admire , and actually touch Red's D-45 . Does anyone know what happened to it ? Anyway they were the best and I'll never forget them ...just great people as well as musicians
WOW! Thank you so much for sharing this great story. Don and Red sounded like fine gentlemen.
Reno & Smiley's stage formula of having an always entertaining mix of: danceable country, bluegrass, gospel & comedy was an inspiration for the stage work of 'Hot Rize'. As for country music stars supposedly refusing to follow the live shows of Reno & Smiley: while this may have been true for a few country acts, this is a bit of an old, urban myth, IMO.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Because he was a cut above than 99 percent of the musicians back in that time.. except for Scruggs..
So ultimately, the country stars had refused to follow "Reno & Smiley" all because of Carlton Haney unexpectedly cutting off Bill Anderson during the closing part of that one show & having Reno & Smiley do the closing instead? Did I understand that correctly? 🤔
That kid who came in late -- was that Gary Busey?