Ralph Stanley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ralph Stanley
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Ralph Stanley in 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ralph Edmund Stanley |
| Born | February 25, 1927 McClure, Virginia, U.S. |
| Origin | Big Spraddle Creek, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | June 23, 2016 (aged 89) Coeburn, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Occupation(s) | Bluegrass musician |
| Instruments | Banjo |
| Years active | 1946–2016 |
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Ralph Edmund Stanley (born February 25, 1927 – died June 23, 2016) was an American bluegrass musician. He was famous for his special singing voice and his amazing banjo playing. Ralph Stanley started playing music in 1946. He first played with his older brother, Carter Stanley, in a group called The Stanley Brothers. Later, he became the leader of his own band, The Clinch Mountain Boys. Many people knew him as Dr. Ralph Stanley.
He was one of the first bluegrass musicians. He was honored in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor and became a member of the famous Grand Ole Opry.
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Biography
Ralph Stanley was born and grew up in a country area of Southwest Virginia. He lived in a small town called McClure, Virginia. His parents were Lee and Lucy Stanley. Ralph didn't have much music in his home when he was little. He said his dad didn't play instruments but sometimes sang church songs. He heard songs like "Man of Constant Sorrow" and "Pretty Polly" from his father.
Clinch Mountain Boys
After high school, Ralph decided to join his older brother, Carter Stanley, who played the guitar. In 1946, they formed a band called The Clinch Mountain Boys. They used musical styles from their area, like the unique singing from the Primitive Baptist church and the sweet family harmonies of the Carter Family.
The brothers started playing on local radio stations. They first played in Norton, Virginia, then moved to Bristol, Virginia, to start a show called Farm and Fun Time. They stayed there for about 12 years.
At first, they played many songs by Bill Monroe, who helped create bluegrass music. But they soon realized they needed their own songs. So, they started writing their own music around 1947. Ralph wrote some banjo tunes, but Carter was better at writing songs.
When Columbia Records signed them as The Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe was not happy. He left his record company and joined another one. Ralph Stanley said that Bill Monroe liked their music and singing.
The Stanley Brothers later joined King Records in the late 1950s. This record company had many different types of artists, even James Brown. Ralph said that James Brown and his band were in the studio when the Stanley Brothers recorded "Finger Poppin' Time". At King Records, their music became more like the "Stanley style" that many people know today.
Ralph and Carter played together as The Stanley Brothers with The Clinch Mountain Boys from 1946 to 1966. After Carter passed away, Ralph continued to lead the band on his own from 1967 until his death in 2016.
Solo Career
After Carter died in 1966, Ralph wasn't sure if he could keep performing alone. But he received many letters and phone calls from fans encouraging him. His record company also told him to keep going.
So, he decided to continue and brought back The Clinch Mountain Boys. Many talented musicians played with him over the years. Some famous ones included Larry Sparks, Roy Lee Centers, and Charlie Sizemore. He also hired young musicians like Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley, who sounded just like The Stanley Brothers. Later, his son, Ralph Stanley II, became the lead singer and guitar player for the band. His grandson, Nathan Stanley, was the last lead singer and band leader.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Ralph Stanley's music was featured in the popular 2000 movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. In the film, he sang a powerful Appalachian song called "O Death". The music for the movie was produced by T-Bone Burnett.
With that song, Ralph Stanley won a Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. He said this award was like "the icing on the cake" for him and put him in a special group of musicians.
Later Life and Achievements
Ralph Stanley was known as "Dr. Ralph Stanley" because he received an honorary doctorate degree in music from Lincoln Memorial University in 1976. He was honored in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992. In 2000, he became the first person to join the Grand Ole Opry in the new millennium.
He performed "Christmas Time's A Comin'" with the cast of the TV show In the Heat of the Night for their Christmas album. He was also featured in Josh Turner's hit song "Me and God" in 2006.
In 2006, he received the National Medal of Arts. This is the highest honor for artists in the United States.
Ralph Stanley kept a busy touring schedule even in his later years. He performed at many music festivals. In 2009, he released his autobiography, Man of Constant Sorrow. He also appeared on the soundtrack for the 2012 film Lawless.
On June 23, 2016, Ralph Stanley passed away at 89 years old from skin cancer.
Musical Style
Ralph Stanley created his own special way of playing the banjo, which is sometimes called "Stanley style". It developed from an older two-finger banjo technique. Later, it was influenced by the three-finger "Scruggs style".
"Stanley style" is known for its very fast "forward rolls". These rolls are led by the index finger instead of the thumb. He often played in higher musical notes using a capo. In "Stanley style", the banjo rolls are smooth and continuous. He picked the strings close to the bridge of the banjo, which gave the instrument a very clear and sharp sound.
Selected Music
Ralph Stanley released many albums throughout his long career. Some of his albums include Cry From the Cross, Clinch Mountain Gospel, and Clinch Mountain Country. His album Ralph Stanley reached number 3 on the US Bluegrass charts in 2002. He also released albums like Shine On and A Distant Land to Roam. His final album, Ralph Stanley & Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow, reached number 1 on the US Bluegrass charts in 2015.
Honors and Awards
- Ralph Stanley was known as "Dr. Ralph Stanley" after receiving an honorary Doctor of Music degree in 1976.
- He received a National Heritage Fellowship in 1984. This is the highest honor for folk and traditional arts in the U.S. government.
- He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992 and 2000.
- He was nominated for 15 Grammy Awards between 1993 and 2015.
- He was the first person to join the Grand Ole Opry in the new millennium (after the year 2000).
- His song "O Death" from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? won him a Grammy Award in 2002.
- His 2002 album with Jim Lauderdale, Lost in the Lonesome Pines, won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
- The Virginia Press Association named him their Distinguished Virginian of the Year in 2004.
- The Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center opened in Clintwood, Virginia in 2004.
- He received the National Medal of Arts in 2006, which is the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.
- The Virginia government named him the Outstanding Virginian of 2008.
- He was given the Key to the City of Garner, North Carolina in 2008.
- He was named a Library of Congress Living Legend in 2000.
- He was inducted into the Virginia Musical Museum & Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
- He received a second honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale University in 2014.
- He became an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2014.
- From January 2, 2015, until his death, Ralph Stanley was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry.
