Jump to content

Don Parmley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Don Parmley
Born(1933-10-19)October 19, 1933
DiedJune 30, 2016(2016-06-30) (aged 82)
GenresBluegrass

Don Parmley (19 October 1933 – 30 June 2016) was a bluegrass musician known best for his work with the Bluegrass Cardinals, a group he formed in 1974.[1] Prior to Bluegrass Cardinals, Parmley was a member of The Hillmen.

Early life and education

[edit]

Parmley was born in Wayne County, Kentucky in 1933, moving to Southern California a few years later.[2]

Career

[edit]

Parmley began his career as a member of The Hillmen, playing alongside members Vern Gosdin and Chris Hillman.[3] Parmley was working as a musician for the television show The Beverly Hillbillies and is credited with all banjo work on the show with the exception of the intro theme song.[2] Chris Hillman had moved on from The Hillmen, finding success with the group The Byrds.[4] Parmley then moved on to form the Bluegrass Cardinals along with Randy Graham and Parmley's 15-year-old son David Parmley.[5]

Parmley retired from the Bluegrass Cardinals in 1997 with his son David moving on to form the band Continental Divide. Parmley occasionally sang in concerts with the Continental Divide. He died on July 30, 2016, at age 83.[2]

Discography

[edit]

For discography as part of a group, see The Hillmen and Bluegrass Cardinals.

Albums

[edit]
Title Details
5 String Banjo with 12 String Guitar
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: GNP/Crescendo
  • Format: Album

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Don Parmley remembered". Bluegrass Today. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  2. ^ a b c Montell, William Lynwood (2006). Grassroots Music in the Upper Cumberland. University of Tennessee Press. ISBN 9781572335455. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  3. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003). All Music Guide to Country: The Definitive Guide to Country Music. Backbeat Books. ISBN 9780879307608.
  4. ^ Sharp, Ken (5 September 2014). "Full Flight: A Chat with Chris Hillman of the Byrds". Rock Cellar Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  5. ^ Old Time Music. Indiana University. 1980.