Ward Eller was born in Wilkes County, NC in 1930. In the mid-40s, he began playing guitar and singing with his cousins, the Church boys (Bill, Ralph and Edwin). Together they performed as the Church Brothers & their Blue Ridge Ramblers along with Drake Walsh, Ralph Pennington and Johnny Nelson. They played at schoolhouses, theaters, square dances and venues all throughout the region. They were hired for a weekly show on WILX radio station for around a year; and then moved on to a larger 1000 watt radio station, WKBC, and played a weekly show there until Ward was drafted into the army in 1951. The band was sought out by Jim Stanton’s Rich-R-Tone label, and went to Johnson City, TN to record albums for them. There, Ward recorded his original song, "You're Still the Rose of My Heart" that became one of his most well-known numbers. Drucilla Adams of Wilkes County was the songwriter for the Church Brothers band and provided many of the lyrics for the songs they recorded. Later on, they went on to release 78s on Drucilla Adams’ Blue Ridge label. In 1952, Johnny Nelson of Lenoir, who played banjo with the band was killed in an automobile accident. With many of the other band members getting married and Ward being drafted, the Church Brothers disbanded.
After getting out of the army, Ward Eller began performing again with Drake Walsh and Ralph Church around Wilkes County. The VFW in North Wilkesboro hired the band to play in 1956, and Ward has been playing at the VFW on almost every Saturday night since then. The current VFW band plays a mix of everything from bluegrass to country, to classic rock and roll. With some changes throughout the years, the current members include Jimmy, Ricky, and Tony Church, Tal Holbrook, David Gambill, and Jeff Michael. With a gig for almost 60 years, Ward Eller is believed to be one of the steadiest employed musicians in Wilkes County. In 2008, the IBMA World of Bluegrass interviewed and honored the Church Brothers & their Bluegrass Ramblers at ROMP. Rounder Records also released their older recordings on "Early Days of Bluegrass Volume 8". Ward Eller has inspired a lot of musicians throughout the area with his music, like the well-known musician, Jeff Michael.
Below is an interview and music clips with Ward Eller and Jeff Michael.
Ivy Sheppard, Kilby Spencer and myself are also included in some of the music clips.
If you are interested in attending the VFW Saturday Nite Square Dance, you can find more info on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/VFW-Post-1142-Saturday-Nite-Square-Dance/690008847709987
After getting out of the army, Ward Eller began performing again with Drake Walsh and Ralph Church around Wilkes County. The VFW in North Wilkesboro hired the band to play in 1956, and Ward has been playing at the VFW on almost every Saturday night since then. The current VFW band plays a mix of everything from bluegrass to country, to classic rock and roll. With some changes throughout the years, the current members include Jimmy, Ricky, and Tony Church, Tal Holbrook, David Gambill, and Jeff Michael. With a gig for almost 60 years, Ward Eller is believed to be one of the steadiest employed musicians in Wilkes County. In 2008, the IBMA World of Bluegrass interviewed and honored the Church Brothers & their Bluegrass Ramblers at ROMP. Rounder Records also released their older recordings on "Early Days of Bluegrass Volume 8". Ward Eller has inspired a lot of musicians throughout the area with his music, like the well-known musician, Jeff Michael.
Below is an interview and music clips with Ward Eller and Jeff Michael.
Ivy Sheppard, Kilby Spencer and myself are also included in some of the music clips.
If you are interested in attending the VFW Saturday Nite Square Dance, you can find more info on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/VFW-Post-1142-Saturday-Nite-Square-Dance/690008847709987