The Christian Troubadours

The Christian Troubadours were originally organized in Lakewood, California, by guitar player and bass singer Wayne Walters, a native of Belleville, Arkansas. After the Troubadours formed, Walters also became manager and songwriter for the group. In 1962, upright bass player and tenor singer Bill Carter traveled to California from Eagleton, Arkansas, to join the Troubadours. At this time, the group had relocated in Modesto, California. A year later, Phil Price joined the band to play banjo as well as sing baritone and as a musical arranger. In time, Leroy Blankenship became lead singer in addition to preaching at the revival meetings and services held in conjunction with concerts given by the group. Following the addition of Blankenship to the Troubadours, the group relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. Frank Petty of Weed, California, played the violin and one of the earliest members played mandolin; his name was Harvey Yeoman. Larry King also played bass and sang with the group for a short time.