Regarding banjo player Rudy Lyle (of Bill Monroe) and that which "drocha" posted on 11/25/2008 (and among others who posted about Rudy):
 
I know quite a bit about Rudy Lyle and his wife Mary Lyle (I discovered some posts and queries about Rudy from 2008 on http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/132315).  My family and I were very good friends (and next-door neighbors) to Rudy's widow Mary Lyle.  She passed away in 2009 and in fact, I was the one that called the ambulance when she had her fatal stroke which took her life three days later.  She was very beloved by our family, in fact, our sons adored her- we all did.  Believe it or not, Mary was a great supporter of our music, and though she walked with a cane her last years, she would make sure her sister and brother-in-law would take her out to our shows in Williamson County.  She told me our music made her remember the great times of her past...  And what an amazing lady with a story all her own!  No wonder Rudy fell head-over-heels for Mary!

We have just released a swing-jazz CD album entitled PEACH with the opening song in tribute to Rudy Lyle and Mary Lyle- a song written, published and released entitled "Sugarboo" by Karen Johns & Company; the album title is PEACH (PtarmiganMusic/Jazz and VitalForce (ASCAP).  This song is not only the opening track on this new swing-jazz CD album, and also in music video-- it is as well a song in a musical stage play score due for release later this year.  In essence, this song "Sugarboo" reveals Rudy and Mary's love story, and by the way, the word or term of endearment "Sugarboo" was Mary's, that which Rudy named his publishing company with BMI.

Here is a link to the "Sugarboo" music video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOKTrvRBtAM&feature=plcp&context=C320f97eUDOEgsToPDskI0wAjW9IcPZ_C95Z1Gd6_N
Incidentally, please be sure to read the credit roll at the end of the video, you will see Mary and Rudy's memorial therein.

If you (or others) would like to know more about Rudy Lyle and his lovely wife Mary, I will be happy to share what I know.  I am also still very good friends with Mary's sister and brother-in-law as they live very nearby. 

The swing song "Sugarboo" is the first track on PEACH by Karen Johns & Company and this swing CD will be heard on jazz radio in the USA and in other countries beginning March 1, 2012.  We are hoping (and praying) it hits the top ten station/jazz charts with as much success as our previous release did!  But most importantly: "Sugarboo" is always and forever near and dear to our hearts!  We love you Mary and Rudy Lyle!!!

Peace, Love, & Joy to you and yours~

Karen Johns
www.KarenJohns.com
 

thanks so much for the post about rudy. he was definatley an unsung hero of the banjo, and an inspiration to many of todays pros!

I believe Rudy Lyle was the banjo player who took the break on "Rawhide", on Bill Monroe's instrumental album. It is a fabulous break, I enjoy today as much as I did back when I started playing in 1980.
I don't think that particular album was over produced on a CD, but I still have it on a vinyl LP.

From 1950 to 1954 Rudy layed down about 40 recordings with Monroe on banjo.  I haven't verified this but he may well be the banjoist to record the most with Monroe.  In addition to his famous Rawhide version with Monroe he also laid the ground work banjo sound for On and On, New John Henry Blues, White House Blues, Sugar Coated Love, Blue Grass Ramble, My Little Georgia Rose, The Old Fiddler, Bluegrass Stomp to name a few.   He was also the banjo picker on Uncle Pen.   Last time I saw Rudy was with Monroe at the Fincastle/Roanoke 1966 Festival.