Terry
McKinney
A Name You Can
Trust To Bring You
Traditional
Country Music
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Terry
McKinney
A Name You Can
Trust To Bring You
Traditional
Country Music
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Terry McKinney welcomes country music legends
Red Wilson and O.D. Calhoun to the stage at a benefit program
for the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce.
TERRY H. McKINNEY (828) 652-3003
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Terry Hughes McKinney was born in Spruce Pine, NC, in 1948. He is
the great-great grandson of the legendary Charlie McKinney who, in 1796,
along with his four wives and 48 children, settled in what is now known
as McKinney Gap, on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Altapass, NC.
Terry lived in Altapass during his early years and, almost since his birth, had a great interest in music. He was influenced by his McKinney ancestors who were well known for their front porch jam sessions, which included gospel and mountain (hillbilly) music. Terry was also influenced by his family's habit of listening to the Grand Olde Opry on a battery radio, because they had no electricity on their farm when he was young. Terry started his career as a musician playing for house parties, which was common in the mountains of western North Carolina in his teen years. He also played on the local radio station WTOE. When Terry was 19, he was invited on stage to play with the legendary Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman, the local duo who became regulars on the Opry. Terry recalls their kindness and encouraging interest in his music. In 1968 Terry was drafted into the United States Army and served in the 351st Aviation Company. While in the armed services he stayed active in his music, performing for service men in Germany and England. When his service duty was over, Terry returned to Spruce Pine and continued his musical interest. He has devoted his musical talents to keeping the heritage of mountain and traditional country, gospel and bluegrass music flourishing. This is evident through his work.
In 2005 Terry co-authored the book
"Altapass" published by Arcadia Press. The book is a collection of
historic photos and stories shared with him by mountain friends and musicians
(some who now live in far away places) who seek Terry out at The Historic
Orchard at Altapass where he hosts frequent "mountain oprys". Terry has inspired
the community to be actively involved in preserving their memories through
storytelling and traditional music, so the "Altapass" project is on-going.
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In 2006 Terry McKinney produced and hosted "Legend on the Blue Ridge" featuring icons of traditional music. Among his special guests was Don Helms (on left), the only remaining member of Hank Williams Sr.'s Drifting Cowboys Band. Helms played steel guitar for Hank, and is heard on many classic recordings such as Patsy Cline's, "Walking After Midnight," Hank Williams "Your Cheatin' Heart," and Ray Price's "Release Me." |
| Eddie Graham was featured in the "Legends on the Blue Ridge" show. Eddie and his wife Lana visit the NC mountains every year to play with Terry McKinney. Eddie was the percussionist for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas and played for Earl 'Fatha' Hines Classic Jazz Band in the '70s. In the fall of 2007, Eddie brought a first jazz band to Altapass, featuring top jazz musicians from around the country. The show was a roaring success, and Ed is organizing a second jazz show for 2008. Eddie's favorite mountain "gig" is inviting his local musical friends to a cabin that has become his Appalachian home where Eddie and Terry lead an old fashioned jam session. |
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Judy Alexander was also one of the "Legends on the Blue Ridge" who is a a vocal dynamo who entertains throughout the country belting out everything from Broadway Blues to Blue Ridge ballads. She invited Terry to come to Florida to cut a country CD along with local favorites Tom Sparks and Johnny Ellis. This coming season she will be in the mountains singing with Terry every chance she gets to promote the recording. Proceeds will be donated to The Historic Orchard at Altapass preservation projects. |
| Terry, an historian as well as a music performer, co-authored "Altapass," an Images of America book published by Arcadia Publishing. With 200 photos and storytelling captions, the book traces the story of his home town, Altapass, NC, from the time of his great, great grandfather Charlie McKinney to the present day. He also worked closely with the NC Humanities Council to help produce a traveling museum display titled, "Orchard of Change." |
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Terry hosts many shows at The Orchard and other venues He is well-known as a very generous musician for sharing his stage. His favorite "guests" are local musicians who have made significant contributions to preserving true country music. Here he plays with Lawrence Wiseman, an 80+ year-old member of the famous musical Wiseman family. Lawrence was the first musician to record "The Orange Blossom Special" for a major recording studio. |
| Terry enjoys inviting a variety of music pals to provide back up for his programs. Jerry and Mattie Ramsey are just some of those friends, along with Eual Owens, Ray Cole, and Dr. Sergio Cassenego |
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Terry McKinney uses his talents to keep the traditions of country music alive and well. Here he offers his very convincing impersonation of Willie Nelson. |
 At the end of each of his programs, Terry invites audience members to join him on the stage to sing the closing gospel number. Here Joan Forbes and Betty and Delbert Tangeman join in singing "I Saw the Light." |
HOW GREAT THOU
ART - Traditional Gospel (Tape & CD)
APPALACHIAN ROOTS
- Original Songs by Terry McKinney (Tape & CD)
COUNTRY LEGENDS
(Tape);
COUNTRY LIKE IT USED TO BE (CD) - Classic Country Selections
ALTAPASS ALL-STARS IN FULL BLOOM (CD) - A compilation of Appalachian Country, Blues, Gospel and Jazz
with Terry McKinney, Judy Alexander, Eddie Graham, Tom Sparks, Johnny Ellis and Chet Cutshall (recorded 2007)
SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES - 2009
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