Betty Amos (July 27, 1934 – September 30, 2021) was an American guitarist, banjoist, and bluegrass/country musician. She was one of the earliest women to play Scruggs-style banjo, and played in many different bands, including

The Carlisles William Toliver Carlisle (December 19, 1908 – March 17, 2003), better known as Bill Carlisle and Jumpin' Bill Carlisle, was an American country music singer, songwriter, comedian, and guitarist popular in the late 1940s and 1950s but who inf ...

, Lump Boys, and Rhythm Queens (Betty Amos with Judy and Jean).

Early years

Betty Amos was born on July 27, 1934, near

Roanoke, Virginia Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...

. From a musical family, Amos played

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...

in her family band, the "Buck Mountain Ramblers". Amos was taught Scruggs-style banjo by her brother Ed, and sought to develop her own style in order to not copy anybody, including Earl Scruggs.

Career

The Carlisles

In 1952, Betty Amos joined

, replacing Martha Carson. Due to her age and relationship status, she became known as "Betty Carlisle," Bill Carlisle's niece. Amos appeared on several of the Carlisles' '' Billboard'' hits, including "No Help Wanted" and "Is Zat You Myrtle." Amos left the band in 1954, beginning a solo career.

Solo career

After leaving The Carlisles in 1954, Amos retook her birthname, and signed with the Mercury label. Leading a band called the "Lump Boys," Amos frequented the

Louisiana Hayride ''Louisiana Hayride'' was a radio and later television country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the ...

, sharing the stage with

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

. Amos recorded many singles with Mercury, including "Hello to the Blues," "Jole John," and "Yesterday's Sweetheart" Amos found success as a songwriter as well, writing the 1964 '' Billboard'' hit "Second Fiddle to an Old Guitar," which rose to number five under Jean Shepherd.

Betty Amos with Judy and Jean

After meeting Judy Alice Schreiber (Judy Lee) at the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, Amos formed the band "Rhythm Queens" in 1960, consisting of Amos on electric rhythm guitar and banjo, Judy Lee on electric lead guitar, and Betty's sister Jean Amos on bass. Credited as "Betty Amos with Judy and Jean" after signing to

Starday Records Starday Records was an American record label producing traditional country music during the 1950s and 1960s. History The label began in 1952 in Beaumont, Texas, when local businessmen Jack Starnes (Lefty Frizzell's manager) and Houston record di ...

in 1963, the group played

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...

and bluegrass music, with Betty Amos singing lead. Amos would play banjo for bluegrass sets, and electric rhythm guitar for

sets. The group often played

USO The United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) is an American nonprofit-charitable corporation that provides live entertainment, such as comedians, actors and musicians, social facilities, and other programs to members of the United States Armed F ...

shows and military bases, and on occasion would travel overseas. The group frequented the WWVA Jamboree, and released nine singles on Starday. The group went on to record the bluegrass hits "Eighteen Wheels A-Rolling" and "Franklin County Moonshine." The group stayed together until 1977, reuniting in 2003 for the

Reunion Show in Shreveport. In 1961, Betty, Judy, and Jean survived a

plane crash An aviation accident is defined by the Convention on International Civil Aviation Annex 13 as an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft, which takes place from the time any person boards the aircraft with the ''intention of fl ...

while traveling to a

show near

Labrador , nickname = "The Big Land" , etymology = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Canada , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 ...

. Despite this experience, the group played using borrowed instruments from the troops, giving the men an excellent performance.

Death

Betty Amos died at the age of 87 on September 30, 2021.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amos, Betty 1934 births 2021 deaths Bluegrass musicians from Virginia