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Charles Edward "Rusty" York hails from
Harlan County, Kentucky, where he was born in 1935. His sister bought him a used guitar
with the moniker "Rusty" on it and the nickname stuck. In the 1950s, he paired with
guitarist Willard Hale and they went on to perform at local clubs. When
rock and roll was born, they
begrudgingly took requests for Elvis songs and eventually caved, although they
always tried to play fifteen minutes of bluegrass per show. It wasn't until 1959 that York and
Hale were able to release three bluegrass cuts for Starday's
Banjo in the Hills album,
including "Banjo Breakdown".
Billy Thomas pitched in on fiddle and Herman Kress on bass. His 1959 Fraternity single
"Cajun Blues" inspired the creation and name of a rock and roll
trio, The Cajuns, who toured with Dick Clark and subsequently enjoyed the
honor of being the
first rock act to play The
Hollywood Bowl. In 1964, Rusty
found himself on the road with rising country artist Bobby Bare, with whom
he would continue to work for the balance of the decade. He also started the Jewel record
label, at first literally operating out of his garage. Such luminaries as bluegrass legend
Ralph Stanley and The Grateful Dead have haunted his studios. His last foray into recording as a
performer was on the timely 1973 release Dueling Banjos.
Aside from a couple of tours, Rusty has continued to devote himself
to his true musical legacy, Jewel Records.
Rusty York
and Willard Hale recordings
Banjo Breakdown
Sources:
- http://www.rockabillyhall.com/RustyYork1.html
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