song Reno wrote "Country Boy Rock and Roll" considered to be the first bluegrass song to feature lead guitar as the main instrument. Reno would occasionally even play electric guitar during some performances in the 1950s. Reno continued playing guitar on and off during his time with Bill Harrell and recorded many guitar instrumentals during this time. Doc Watson was influenced by Reno's guitar playing, even saying during an interview the first time he heard someone play fiddle tunes on a guitar was Don Reno. Other accomplished guitarists including Clarence White and Joe Maphis were influenced by Reno's guitar style. In 1948, Reno became a member of the Blue Grass Boys. Two years later, with Red Smiley, he formed Reno and Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups, a partnership that lasted fourteen years. Among their hits were "I'm Using My Bible For A Road Map", "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" and "Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die". Included in this line-up was his son, Ronnie Reno, who played mandolin. Videos from those days are shown regularly on Ronnie's show on RFD-TV. In 1964, after the retirement of Red Smiley, Reno and guitarist Bill Harrell formed Reno & Harrell. Red Smiley joined Reno and Harrell in 1969, remaining with them until his death in 1972. From 1964 until 1971, he also performed with Benny Martin. In the 1970s, he played with The Good Ol' Boys, composed of Frank Wakefield on mandolin, David Nelson on guitar, Chubby Wise on fiddle, and Pat Campbell on bass. Reno began performing with his sons Don Wayne and Dale in later years. Death Don Reno died in 1984 aged 58, in Charlottesville, Virginia, of a "circulatory ailment." He is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1992, he was posthumously inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. Discography Mr. 5-String (1965) A Song for Everyone (1966) Bluegrass Gospel Favorites (1967) — with Benny Martin; reissued on CD as Gospel Songs from Cabin Creek Don Reno & His Tennessee Cut-Ups (1966) Rural Rhythm Presents Don Reno & Bill Harrell with the Tennessee Cut-Ups (1967) A Variety of New Sacred Gospel Songs (1968) The Sensational Twin Banjos of Eddie Adcock and Don Reno (1968) All the Way to Reno (1969) — with Bill Harrell Fastest Five Strings Alive (1969) I'm Using My Bible Like a Roadmap (1969) — with Bill Harrell Bluegrass Favorites (1969)