The Green River Boys

The Green River Boys from western North Carolina started as a group by getting together on Tuesday nights at the home of Charles Jones.

Jones who was the original banjo player of the group along with Fred Lyons, bass-man Ireland Brown and CA Morgan played their instruments, while Bruce Cole and later James coot McDowell sang those old time gospel songs in late 1999 towards the end of the year.

In December 1999 the green river boys were invited to perform at the Saluda family restaurant (now shaffers grill) in Saluda, NC. This is a gig that we have continued every other weekend since, to the delight of local residents and travelers and truckers passing through or visiting the Carolinas.

In January 2000 Bruce Cole invited local gospel DJ James Metcalf to join with the group on a few songs ,and eventually, James became a regular vocalist with the group.

In the spring of 2000 both CA Morgan and Charles Jones decided to leave the group and James Metcalf asked his pastor at the time at Fork Creek Baptist church in Saluda, rev. Walter Gordon to fill in until they could find another, feeling that Walter would probably not be interested in being a permanent member.

James was wrong and Walter has been with the group since throughout the years of the G.R.B. The group has recorded four CD's "Ready to Go" (2000) from fresh tracks productions, "Live at the Inman Gospel Theater" (2003)with living legends promotions from Nashville Tennessee and '' The GRB Live in T.R.".(2005) recorded with Crosstrax productions. "One Drop of Water" (2007)recorded by Bob Dennis at award artist studios. These recordings have sold greatly and have received airplay on at least a half dozen radio stations in the two Carolina’s and Tennessee, Missouri Virginia and Georgia.

The Green River Boys have shared the stage with many nationally know gospel and bluegrass groups including The Primitive qt, The Jody Brown Indian family, Standing Tall, Mike Upright, Naomi and the Sego's, The Singing Echoes, The Hoskins family, The Hayes family, The Redeemed, The MelodyAires, The Jimmy Justice family, and Furman Boyce and Harmony Express ,the Jason Camp family,WatkinsFamily AND THE PRINCIPLES.

The group has been featured on some of the areas biggest events including Farm City day and Music on Main street in Hendersonville, the Green Creek Heritage festival, Coon Dog Day in Saluda, the Columbus fire dept. BBQsing, , classic events in Travelers Rest SC., Saluda’s 150^th anniversary social, numerous churches, community events, and nursing homes. and revivals Original member CA Morgan has since passed away in 2006.the grb continues its saga almost nine years later

THE GRB AT TRYON PENTECOSTAL FEB 2 2008

** SPECIAL NOTES OF TRIVIA***

James Metcalf and Coot McDowell both traveled with the group the Southern Mountaineers at different times.

Bruce’s daughter Erin returned from Iraq after a tour of duty with the marine corp she is now out of the service

THE great great grandfathers of both Walter (Samuel Gordon) and James (Davis met.) are buried in the Metcalf graveyard near James' home

Walter Gordon pastored five out of the nine Baptist churches in Saluda NC , his RECENT church New Hope Baptist in Candler NC. is the only church he has pastored outside of Saluda in 30+ years of ministry. HE is now back at fork creek!

Ireland brown IS an amateur pilot / he also built experimental planes and helicopters in his home garage.

Fred Lyons nephew of old time fiddler Tommy Jarell along with Fred’s brothers perform annually at the Tommy Jarrell festival held in Mount Airy NC. every February. It is a major event in Mt.Airy Andy Griffith’s hometown in which Mayberry is based on.

COOT CONTINUES TO DO MASONRY WORK WITH HIS SONS AND GRANDSONS EVEN IN HIS 70'S

GRB on the Web

Special!
Ireland and Fred on CBS , read more here!

Check out our photo gallery