In early May of 1964, RIC sent the Cumberland Trio to New York City to be professionally photographed, meet booking agencies and record at Gotham Studios, home of the big name eastern folk groups.

The week-long Gotham session proved to be just the opposite of the RCA Nashville experience. While Chet Atkins was friendly and easy-going, RIC producer Larry Finnegan was strictly business, intent on modifying the Trio’s sound to be more pop-oriented. Although the session was grueling, the finished product was still of very high quality. Returning to Tennessee, the Trio had big plans for the Summer of ‘64.

Standing Room Only in the Mountains

The venerable Greystone Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN was one of the Great Smoky Mountains’ favorite resort hotels. Adjacent to it was a 300-seat Playhouse that the Trio rented for the Summer of ‘64, decorating and wiring it for sound and stage lighting, so that they could perform in a professional music setting.

    


Promotional Photo, New York City, May 1964
L-R: Jim Shuptrine, Tom Kilpatrick,
Jerre Haskew and Andy Garverick
[Click on Photo for Enlargement]

Performing at the Greystone Hotel, Gatlinburg, TN, Summer 1964
L-R: Jim Shuptrine, Tom Kilpatrick,
Jerre Haskew and Andy Garverick
[Click on Photo for Enlargement]

Playing to packed houses, the Trio honed its act in preparation for the impending release of the RIC LP and for an extensive concert schedule the coming Fall. Jim became a first class comedian, doing his snappy patter between songs, while Tom became an accomplished soloist, performing a wide variety of blues and ballads. Jerre was heavily into songwriting, and he and Andy perfected their instrumental skills, often doing banjo duet breakdowns. It was a great summer for the boys, as their act was seen and heard by thousands of people from all over the nation. 

Backstage at the Greystone Hotel,
Gatlinburg, TN, Summer 1964
L-R: Andy Garverick, Jerre Haskew,
and Tom Kilpatrick
[Click on Photo for Enlargement]