Tennessee Gentlemen, The

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THE TENNESSEE GENTLEMEN

  • From Memphis, Tennessee.
  • Formed in 1967 by mandolinist Troy Castleberry, a Memphis fireman.
  • For 10 years, the group practiced and performed every Friday night at The Bluegrass Shack in Memphis. It was a 100-year-old two-room schoolhouse which burned down on July 4, 1989.
  • 1977, released “The Tennessee Gentlemen” album (Southern Tracks).
  • 1980, won eleven awards out of eleven categories at the SPBGMA awards show in Lake Ozark, MO, including Best Band, Best Album, Best Mandolin Player, and Best Contemporary Male Vocalist.
  • 1979, released “Just Us” album (no label).
  • 1980, released “Sunday Morning” album (no label). Group at that time included Donny Catron (guitar), Richard Bailey (banj0) and Steve Gregory (bass).
  • 1981, released “Hey Mr. Train” album (Ridge Runner).
  • 1987, released “Heading West” album (Bluegrass Shack). The group at that time included Wayne Southards (guitar) and Stuart Brownlee (bass), along with Castleberry (mandolin) and Bailey (banjo).
  • 2000, founder Castleberry died at the age of 71.
  • 2003, a new version of the band was organized by former member Donny Catron.
  • 2016, Catron died at the age of 60.