BILL YATES

• From Washington, DC.
• Played bass with the Country Gentlemen from 1969 to 1989.
• 2005, formed a new band “Bill Yates and Friends” to perform the songs of the Country Gentlemen. The group features the lead vocals of Mike Phipps, who sounds remarkably like the late Charlie Waller. Other band members: Darren Beachley (guitar), Kevin Church (banjo), Dave Propst (mandolin), Mark Clifton (Dobro™), Terry Pearson (bass). Eventually the band came to be known as the The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.
• 2006, recorded “Country Gentlemen Tribute” album.
• 2009, recorded “Country Gentlemen Tribute, Volume II” album.
• 2015, died at the age of 78.