KASU-FM 91.9 PAYS

TRIBUTE TO DONNY CATRON

 

FEBRUARY 28, 2016

 

Donny Catron performing with the
Tennessee Gentlemen at Turkey Track
Bluegrass Festival, Waldron, AR
circa 1981

 

     Marty Scarbrough, program director at KASU-FM 91.9 (www.kasu.org) on the campus of Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, honored the life and the memory of Donny Catron on the air on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Donny passed away at age 60 on February 21, 2016, at his residence in Mountain Home, AR. Marty's weekly program called Down Home Harmonies dedicated a total of about forty-five minutes to a program from 2009 at Bluegrass Monday (4th Monday each month) at the Collins Theatre in Paragould, AR, in which the Tennessee Gentlemen were the guest artists. Donny, his brother Doyle Catron, and the Coffey Brothers made up the band during that time.

 

     Marty Scarbrough gave a brief rundown of the influence that Donny and the Tennessee Gentlemen had on the Mid-South bluegrass music scene for more than 30 years. Marty mentioned the many festivals the band played, and awards the band won at awards shows by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA).

 

     Returning home from a weekend of parlor pickin' at Country Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Mountain View, AR, we listened to Down Home Harmonies and the portion dedicated to Donny Catron and his other beloved musical pals in the Tennessee Gentlemen. Here is the selection of songs, many of which became known as "Donny's songs": Beulah Land; I Just Want to Thank You, Lord; Satan's Jeweled Crown; Were You There When They Crucified My Lord; The Lighthouse; Go Rest High on That Mountain; Tall Dark Stranger; Cajun Baby; Corinna, Corinna; Snowbird; and Bluegrass Melodies.

 

Donny will be missed by his family, friends, and the many fans who loved him. He was a dandy!

 

Thanks to KASU-FM 91.9 and Marty Scarbrough for the special programming in memory of Donny.

Link to webcast of the funeral service:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpAzWjZKJsc

 

Pick away!