John Palmer
John Palmer (May 28, 1927–December 26, 1993) was an American bluegrass bassist and vocalist. Born in Union, South Carolina, he performed with banjoist Don Reno in the early 1940s before serving in World War II. In 1955, he joined Reno and Red Smiley’s Tennessee Cut-Ups, appearing on all of their recordings for King Records through 1963. He remained with Smiley following the duo's 1964 split, performing as a member of the Bluegrass Cut-Ups on the daily Top o' the Morning television program on WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Virginia. Following Smiley's retirement, Palmer continued with the group as it evolved into the Shenandoah Cut-Ups, as well as recording for roots music figures such as Mac Wiseman, Jim Eanes, Gloria Belle, and Hylo Brown.
In the newsletter
- No. 6 Winter 1996