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 The banjo is a stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator. The membrane is typically circular, and in modern forms is usually made of plastic, where early membranes were made of animal skin. ...

, and played in many different bands, including The Carlisles, 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 (United States), independent city in Virginia, United States. It lies in Southwest Virginia, along the Roanoke River, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge range of the greater Appalachian Mountains. Roanok ...

. From a musical family, Amos played

guitar The guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is usually fretted (with Fretless guitar, some exceptions) and typically has six or Twelve-string guitar, twelve strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming ...

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 Earl Eugene Scruggs (January 6, 1924 – March 28, 2012) was an American musician noted for popularizing a three-finger banjo picking style, now called "Scruggs style", which is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. His three-finge ...

Career

The Carlisles

In 1952, Betty Amos joined The Carlisles, 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 A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...

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

, sharing the stage with

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

. 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 ''

'' 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

, Judy Lee on electric lead guitar, and Betty's sister Jean Amos on

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Wood * Bass or basswood, the wood of the tilia americana tree Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in th ...

. 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. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...

and

bluegrass music Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music that developed in the 1940s in the Appalachian region of the United States. The genre derives its name from the band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Bluegrass has roots in African America ...

, with Betty Amos singing lead. Amos would play

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 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 ...

. 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 Shreveport ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the List of municipalities in Louisiana, third-most populous city in Louisiana after New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Baton Rouge. The bulk of Shreveport is in Caddo Parish, Lo ...

. In 1961, Betty, Judy, and Jean survived a

plane crash An aviation accident is an event during aircraft operation that results serious injury, death, or significant destruction. An aviation incident is any operating event that compromises safety but does not escalate into an aviation accident. Pre ...

while traveling to a

show near

Labrador Labrador () is a geographic and cultural region within the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the primarily continental portion of the province and constitutes 71% of the province's area but is home to only 6% of its populatio ...

. 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