McCormick Brothers, The

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THE MCCORMICK BROTHERS

  • From Westmoreland, Tennessee.
  • A family band that began performing together in 1945 (they ranged in age from 7 to 19 at that time.)
  • Featured brothers Lloyd (guitar), Haskell (banjo), Kelly (mandolin) and William Harold (bass.)
  • Recorded for Fred Rose’s Hickory record label. They were heard by Ernest Tubb who was flying over Gallatin in a small plane and heard them on the radio. Tubb urged Rose to sign them and he did.
  • 1955, recorded the original version of “The Bugle Call Rag.” Their signature song was the lighthearted “Red Hen Boogie.”
  • 1970, recorded an album for Metromedia Records called “Brass Meets Grass” featuring horns with bluegrass instrumentation.
  • Haskell also worked with country singer Marty Robbins and played banjo with Lester Flatt’s Nashville Grass (1971-1973). While with Lester, he recorded two originals: “McCormick String Picnic” and “The Haskel Stomp.”
  • 2001, some members of this band formed a group called Bluegrass Invasion.
  • 2001, released The Very Best of The McCormick Brothers album (Varese Sarabande)
  • 2005, Kelly died.
  • 2007, released Bluegrass Invasion album (Stonewall).
  • 2009, released Somewhere in Time album (no label).
  • 2013, William died.