cccccccc Still Now ^ Playing: Terrence Enyeart There
are many things about Terry Enyeart that make him special. First, he is a killer vocalist with incredible range, power, tone and feeling! He’s also a skilled multi-instrumentalist, successful bandleader, accomplished song writer, music instructor and recording engineer...Whew! If that’s not enough, he and his wife, Deborah, raised three children, Jeremy, Jessica and Justin and ran their own business. He’s been an integral part of the regional bluegrass scene for decades and has played an important role, being at the forefront of the acoustic music scene and at the helm of “Rural Delivery”, one of the Northwest’s premier bluegrass bands, for thirty five years. I think you’re starting to get the idea, but first let me go back and take it from the beginning. Born to Ken and Venetta in The Dalles, OR, “because that’s where the closest hospital was”, Terry lived in Goldendale, WA, but shortly afterward the family settled in Longview, WA where he grew up. Terry’s musical influence came first from his family. Ken played the 4-string banjo semi-professionally, was comfortable speaking and performing before an audience, and had been featured on the radio. He and Venetta, both great singers, were leaders of the Longview square dance club “Ruff and Ruffles” and members of the National Square Dance Federation. Square dance calling (singing out the dance moves) filled the Enyeart home, as they rehearsed for the upcoming dances. Terry, along with his siblings Kathy, Anita and Jim, joined their parents at the dances and gave assistance to dancers. Terry’s dad received the Peabody Award in 1964 for his “calling”.
One of Terry’s early music experiences was not so positive. A natural in the school chorus and church choir, he was crushed at age 11 when his aspiration to play the violin (his sister’s) was short lived. He wanted to join the class orchestra, but without the necessary “previous experience and training”, he was summarily turned down. But this didn’t derail him. During high school Terry became a member of the prestigious all male vocal group, the Blue Notes. He fondly recalls the instructor, Ormal Tack, who was a
larger than life musician and demanded excellence and cooperation. The Blue Notes won contest after contest, an exhilarating experience for Terry. Mr. Tack really knew music and was of immense help teaching Terry to become fluent with the nuances and rules of singing for different situations. Terry took pride in the group, enjoying it completely. He was also chosen as the baritone section leader in the Blue Notes and the tenor section leader in the choir. After graduating from Robert A. Long High School in 1966, Terry served in the US Air Force, along with his brother. During this four year period Terry got his first guitar and learned to accompany his already well formed singing voice. Sadly, Ken died at the very young age of 48, leaving his precious 4-string banjo to Terry. He also passed along a legacy of musical tradition and ease of performing for and communicating with people. So, at 23 years of age Terry decided to become acquainted with his dad’s 4-string and was on top of the world when he learned three chords and started getting together with music friends in the Longview area. They formed a regular jam and played mixtures of country, rock songs of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and John Prine and their own original material. The Longview jammers became a formal band, “Silver Mountain”. Each member sang their favorite songs; there was no specific lead singer. Music took on new meaning for them when they discovered bluegrass. The ‘70’s bluegrass super group, “Old and in the Way” released their landmark album, entitled (oddly), “Old and in the Way” in 1975. Terry says it was a game changer and really stoked the fires already burning in their bellies. Terry switched to playing the upright bass after one of the other members purchased an old Kay bass for $10 from a school surplus store. It was a super bargain as well as an irresistible surface onto which all the members carved their names. The group rehearsed and played regularly, mostly in the Seattle area and in 1976 recorded the album, “Snake River Special”, featuring Kathy Enyeart, Dick Spain, Bill Ehrmentrout, Mike Theault, Greg LaRoy, Mark Hirsh and Terry. At 28, Terry kicked his own performing up a notch by switching back to playing the guitar, where his natural charm, wit and distinctive vocals would be out front. The band “Rural Delivery” out of Bremerton, WA was already 6 months old when Terry joined them. Wayne Franco was on banjo, Butch Haslip was on stand up bass, Roger Ferguson played mandolin and John Carter was the guitar player who also sang lead.
John Carter was leaving the band and it was in serious need of “life support” which Terry amply and eagerly provided. He moved to Bremerton and commuted to rehearsals in Longview with "Silver Mountain", while maintaining his role in "Rural Delivery". This led to his decision to withdraw from “Silver Mountain”. He recalls his first gig with “Rural Delivery” at the Long Branch Tavern when Roger was only 20 years old and was not allowed inside the bar, only onstage or outside in the parking lot. But that gig was only the first in what was to become a history of amazing and fun experiences and lifetime highlights Terry would have with “Rural Delivery”, including becoming a regular act at Washington’s renowned Puyallup Fair. It was through Roger’s affiliation with the Tacoma Actors Guild, that they also became involved with the critically acclaimed theatrical production of the life and times of Jesse James, called “Diamond Studs” at the Tacoma Actors Guild Theater in 1978. This was a particularly wonderful experience for Terry, because in addition to performing the music to all the dancing scenes and “Rural Delivery” also being given their own concert, they were all given bit parts in the play. Terry played 5 separate characters as well as doing all the sound effects throughout the performance. “I got to do all the noises I’ve been doing throughout my childhood.” Terry says. “I got paid good money to make all these crazy noises likes wolves, gunshots and doors creaking and I mean everything you can think of. It was a gas!” To everyone’s delight, after a 7 week run, “Diamond Studs” was held over for another 3 weeks! Then, significant change for “Rural Delivery”. Roger Ferguson won the Winfield National Flatpick Guitar Championship in 1979, after which he joined and went on tour for 2 years with the popular Texas based, country band, “The Shoppe”. Terry couldn’t find a mandolin player to satisfactorily fill Roger’s spot long term. His solution: teach himself to play mandolin. At the Coombs Bluegrass Festival in 1982 or ‘83, Terry met California native, Steve Thomas, who was playing with the “Backroom Boys”. Terry was very impressed with Steve’s capabilities on vocals and guitar and drafted him to work up a set for the Tumwater Festival where “Rural Delivery” was a hit. Things clicked so well that Steve moved from Coombs to Washington and joined “Rural Delivery”, leading to a long-time partnership singing and playing with Terry.
Terry is currently an integral part of Northwest heavyweight traditional group “Brother’s Keeper” aka the “Cascade Mountain Boys”, where he plays guitar and sings. He has a special feeling for this band, saying, “Through ‘Brother’s Keeper’ I’m able to give back in the Lord’s name. I feel like I’ve found my calling and I’m able to do some fulfillment of that calling. I feel blessed…” He also plays that same Kay bass with the fabulous “Downtown Mountain Boys” and more recently with “Me and the Boys” (me being no one member in particular). He was gratified when invited by the late Ken Orrik of “Lost Highway” to be part of that band and go on tour. Terry gave careful consideration, “It was one of those deals that you want to do just to be able to say you did it, but at the same time things were happening with the economy and things were crashing.” He decided the “blessings”, successes and responsibilities he had at home carried more weight and respectfully declined. “It was enough just to be asked” Terry says. “I heard from Roger what it was like to be on a tour bus…’you’re NOT a tourist’. I always felt that I could be a success locally. I didn’t have to go to Nashville and compete on some other level. I don’t like to compete in that area…I just like to do it...I like to sing. And I like to be in charge of my own future, and I know if you go to Nashville and sign up with somebody, you’re pretty much not in charge of your own future anymore. And you probably won’t really get what you want for years and years and years and years. You’ve got to pay your dues there like you’ve got to pay ‘em anywhere, and I’ve been so blessed to be able to play with the best players in the Northwest. I feel I couldn’t have found any better players in Nashville and these people are my friends and family. I didn’t miss success at all...I’ve managed to make it in my home environment and be accepted by the best players in the area.” Terry keeps very busy - here are things he currently has going on:
Soon to be released is his double CD (with two separate titles): “My Life’s Compilated” and “Lessons to Live By”. The songs feature Terry’s incredible set of pipes, performing with his various bands over the years.
Check out Terry on Youtube singing “The First Step to Heaven” when the “Cascade Mountain Boys” performed at Wintergrass.
He’s also set up to give lessons via Skype. And he’s on Facebook – become his friend and keep up with him.
Be sure to catch “Rural Delivery” at this year’s Mt St Helens Festival!
Terry’s studio offers extensive recording services.
Terry describes everything that has happened and the musicians he’s been able to know and perform with as “blessings”. His wife, Deb, has shared him with the music scene since 1973, until she joined “Rural Delivery” a few years ago. “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”, she says and plays the “famous” Enyeart Kay bass purchased decades ago. It’s been refinished, the “Silver Mountain” members’ signatures now a memory. In his retirement, he’s grateful to be at a place in his life where he can concentrate more on his students, who he has been bringing to rest homes to entertain the residents. Refining his recording studio is another pleasure he takes, as well as keeping active in the bands he’s currently part of. “I’ve had some wonderful opportunities”. I love great vocals and I became an instant fan of Terry over 20 years ago. I’ve always found him to be every bit as kind, humble and grateful as he is talented, engaging and funny. After 35 years, Terry is STILL in the business of delivering first class music and entertainment to appreciative audiences and enthusiastic fans throughout our state and beyond.
