Grammy Nomination for Ralph Stanley

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Here’s some Ralph Stanley news from Rebel Records: Rebel recording artist Dr. Ralph Stanley has received a Grammy nomination in the Best Bluegrass Album category for his recent gospel release A Mother’s Prayer, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced last night.  The nomination is Stanley’s fourth. This album is me—it’s what I’m [...]

Steve Sparkman Leaves Clinch Mountain Boys

Veteran banjo player, Steve Sparkman, has announced his departure from Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys after more than 16 years in the saddle. As a Clinch Mountain Boy, Steve has received several IBMA Awards, as well as a Grammy Award for his work on the Lost in the Lonesome Pines project. Word is that he [...]

Bluegrass Special – November

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The November issue of The Bluegrass Special now in Cyberspace. This month Rosanne Cash, Patty Loveless and Maria Muldaur talk at length about their new albums. Reviews this month include a Gospel Set pairing of the Issac’s – Naturally, and the Gaither Vocal Band’s – Reunited. Other articles in this month’s issue include a main [...]

Ralph Stanley Autobiography Release

Ralph Stanley’s behind-the-scenes autobiography, Man Of Constant Sorrow: My Life & Times, made its debut in US bookstores yesterday. It is was highlighted by stories in the New York Times, USA Today as well as by the 82-year-old mountain singer’s recent appearance at Carnegie Hall. The book was co-written with music journalist Eddie Dean, the [...]

Ralph Stanley’s Life Story – Man of Constant Sorrow

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Morris Public Relations has advised us that the Ralph Stanley story his fascinating memoir named after his signature hit, Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times – will go on sale on the 15th October this year. The book was written with music journalist Eddie Dean and published by Gotham Books. Stanley has been [...]

Ralph Stanley Turns 82

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To celebrate Stanley’s 82nd birthday, the Ralph Stanley Museum & Traditional Mountain Music Center in Virginia will host an 82nd Birthday Dinner and Fundraiser. The event will be held at the Meadowview Convention Centre in Kingsport, Tennessee on 28th March 2009. The celebration will include music performances from the ETSU Bluegrass Band, Tim White & [...]

Ralph Stanley – The King of Bluegrass?

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Here’s an interesting perspective from Brian Baker posted on Citybeat.com in Cincinnati. Musical nicknames are an interesting way to rank contenders atop any hierarchy. King of Rock and Roll. King of Pop. Godfather of Soul.Bill Monroe is widely recognized as the Father of Bluegrass, and so, in that context, perhaps we can consider Ralph Stanley [...]

Governor’s Award for Ralph Stanley

Ralph Stanley is to be presented with the Governor’s Award for the Arts on 17th Sept this year. The award will be presented at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. The 81-year-old singer, banjo player and songwriter is the only musician among the 10 winners announced on the 5th Aug. by Virginia Governor [...]