Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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RECTOR, Red

(b William Eugene Rector, 15 Dec. '29, Marshall NC; d 30 May '90, Nashville) One of country music's top mandolin players, in demand for sessions and on bluegrass circuit. School in Asheville NC; worked as dental lab technician, door-to-door saleman; appeared on WWNC Radio in Asheville '45-6, then WPTF in Raleigh, where he met Chet Atkins and Johnny & Jack: sessions for RCA followed; he joined Johnny & Jack full-time, worked on WNOX Knoxville and MCYB Bristol (VA). Played with such bluegrass outfits as Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Pardners, Bill Clifton, Flat & Scruggs; played on hundreds of recording sessions '50s-60s. By the early '70s he took centre stage at many a bluegrass or folk festival. Albums incl. Are You From Dixie '77 on Bear Family (with Clifton).