“Guitar Boogie Shuffle” #5 4/27/1959

Here’s a Top 5 instrumental by the Virtues from April 1959 based on a late 40’s tune from country picker Arthur Smith. The Philly-based Virtues never had another hit. Smith built a studio in his home town of Charlotte and recorded many acts from the Carolinas, ranging from Ronnie Milsap to gospel star George Beverly Shea to James Brown. “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” was recorded there. Arthur had one of the first syndicated country music TV shows. His “Feuding Banjos” with legendary bluegrass picker Don Reno was ripped off as “Dueling Banjos” (from the movie “Deliverance”) and Smith won a landmark copyright infringement suit.