The Country Gentlemen helped reshape bluegrass with bold songs and sharp picking. Formed in D.C. in 1957, their classic lineup—Waller, Duffey, Adcock, and Gray—pushed the genre forward. “Matterhorn,” written by Fred B. Keller, told a grim tale of four climbers, with only one returning. Waller’s somber vocal and the group’s tight harmonies made it a standout. A powerful version came at Carlton Haney’s 1972 festival in Camp Springs, just after Doyle Lawson joined. “Matterhorn” showed bluegrass cou

1980 The Country Gentlemen Live