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Name: Ralph Stanley
Date of Birth: February 25, 1927
Origin: Big Spraddle Creek, Virginia
Instrument: Banjo, Vocals
Bio: Ralph Stanley is an American bluegrass legend. Stanley notes he learned how to play the banjo, clawhammer style from his mother. Upon graduating from high school he served a year in the army. Upon his return he immediately began performing whenever he could. After considering a few college courses Stanley decided to form a band with his older brother called Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946.
Originally the band would play “a lot of Bill Monroe music” but after a while their sound got old & they realized they needed to find a new sound. When they were signed by Columbia Records Bill Monroe actually left Columbia Records in protest of signing a band who just sang his songs. When the brothers split & went their own ways Monroe actually hired Stanley’s brother. He worked for Monroe until he passed in 1966.
But before so the brothers signed with King Records, the record label that discovered James Brown. Stanley toured with Ricky Skaggs & Keith Whitley when they were just breaking into the music business, Stanley recalls they were 16 or 17.
Stanley continues to be a success story to this day. But back in 1970 he ran for Clerk of Court & Commissioner of Revenue in Dickenson County. He claims he would’ve quit music if he was elected but instead his money & popularity was used to get someone else elected. He is still very interested in politics. He has even performed at numerous political rallies.
As if Stanley wasn’t a big enough star the movie O Brother, Where art Thou? Featuring George Clooney made him an even bigger star by using his songs. As a result in 2002 he won a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In spite of his age Stanley keeps extremely busy by touring extensively & recently he published an autobiography called Man of Constant Sorrow which he co-wrote.
Home: Back to bluegrass concerts home
Albums: Click here for the complete Ralph Stanley discography
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Albums: 2001 Clinch Mountain Gospel Rebel
2002 Ralph Stanley 3 22 163 5 Columbia/DMZ
2003 Poor Rambler King
2005 Shine On 6 Rebel
2006 A Distant Land to Roam 4 Columbia/DMZ
2007 Mountain Preacher's Child 9 Rebel