Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Band · Active 1949–present · Dickenson County, Virginia
Traditional Bluegrass
Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys was the band Ralph Stanley led for nearly 50 years after his brother Carter's death in 1966 — a continuously touring and recording outfit that preserved traditional mountain bluegrass through eras when the style fell in and out of fashion. The band became a training ground for generations of young singers and pickers, and Ralph's high, lonesome tenor and frailing banjo remained at its center until shortly before his death in 2016.
- Ralph Stanley (b. 1927, Stratton, Virginia) revived the Clinch Mountain Boys name in 1967 following the death of his brother Carter, rather than leave music — a decision pushed by King Records' Syd Nathan and his fan base.
- Early lineups included Larry Sparks and Roy Lee Centers on lead vocals (both filling the near-impossible role of replacing Carter), Curly Ray Cline on fiddle, and Jack Cooke on bass.
- Hired a 16-year-old Ricky Skaggs and 15-year-old Keith Whitley as teenagers in 1970 after hearing them open for his own show — both became bluegrass and country stars.
- Later sidemen included Charlie Sizemore, Junior Blankenship, James Alan Shelton, James Price, Steve Sparkman, Dewey Brown, and Ralph's son Ralph Stanley II and grandson Nathan Stanley.
- Started a Memorial Day bluegrass festival at the old Stanley home place in 1971, which ran for over 40 years and became a pilgrimage destination for traditional bluegrass fans.
- Toured Japan, Europe, and extensively across the U.S., recording prolifically for Rebel, King, Freeland, and later Rebel and DMZ.
- Awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Lincoln Memorial University in 1976, earning the title "Dr. Ralph Stanley."
- Contributed to the Grammy-winning soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou? in 2000, including an a cappella rendition of "O Death" that won Ralph a solo Grammy and introduced his music to a massive new audience.
- Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2000, the first new inductee of the third millennium; received the National Medal of Arts in 2006.
- Ralph led the band until shortly before his death in June 2016; son Ralph Stanley II continues to tour with a reformed Clinch Mountain Boys.
-
A Robin Built a Nest on Daddy's GraveWhile the Ages Roll On (2000)
-
Amazing GraceClinch Mountain Gospel (1977)
-
Are You Afraid to DieClinch Mountain Gospel (1977)
-
Beautiful Star of BethlehemClinch Mountain Gospel (1977)
-
Bound to RideBound to Ride: Vintage Mountain Bluegrass (1991)
-
Brand New Tennessee WaltzSomething Old Something New and Some of Katy's Mountain Dew (1971)
-
Cry From the CrossCry from the Cross (1971)
-
Down Where the River BendsDown Where the River Bends (1978)
-
Dream of a Miner's ChildDown Where the River Bends (1978)
-
East Virginia BluesOld Time Music (1968)
-
I Am the Man ThomasCry from the Cross (1971)
-
I Only ExistHills of Home (1969)
-
I'll Remember You Love In My PrayersPlay Requests (1972)
-
Katy DaleySomething Old Something New and Some of Katy's Mountain Dew (1971)
-
My Main Trial is Yet to ComeGospel Echoes of The Stanley Brothers (1973)
-
Oh DeathClinch Mountain Gospel (1977)
-
Old Ship of ZionAlmost Home (1992)
-
Poison LoveStanley Sound Around the World (1973)
-
Pretty PollyBound to Ride: Vintage Mountain Bluegrass (1991)
-
Rocky IslandA Man and His Music (1974)
-
Sharecropper's SonBrand New Country Songs (1968)
-
Shouting on the Hills of GloryGospel Echoes of The Stanley Brothers (1973)
-
Somebody Loves You DarlingLonesome and Blue (1986)
-
The Darkest Hour is Just Before DawnGospel Echoes of The Stanley Brothers (1973)
-
The Fields Have Turned BrownI Want to Preach the Gospel (1973)
-
The Little Girl and the Dreadful SnakeDown Where the River Bends (1978)
-
Traveling the Highway HomeClinch Mountain Gospel (1977)
-
Two CoatsCry from the Cross (1971)
-
Distant Land to RoamRalph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys · A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family (2006)
-
I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue EyesRalph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys · A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family (2006)
-
Waves on the SeaRalph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys · A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family (2006)
-
Ralph StanleyPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Jack CookePlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Roy Lee CentersPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Ray "Curly Ray" ClinePlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Keith WhitleyPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Junior BlankenshipPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Charlie SizemorePlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Ricky SkaggsPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Danny MarshallPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Ricky LeePlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
James Allen SheltonPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Larry SparksPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Ralph Stanley IIPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
John RigsbyPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Steve SparkmanPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Melvin GoinsPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Ernie ThackerPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Jack LynchPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Renfro ProffittPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
James PricePlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
William "Curley" LambertPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Ed FerrisPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Dennis CrouchPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Jim McCallPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Mike SeegerPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Todd MeadePlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
George ShufflerPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
James KingPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Jimmy MartinPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Nathan StanleyPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Sammy AdkinsPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Art StamperPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Dwight YoakamPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Earl TaylorPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Eddie StubbsPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Frank WakefieldPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
-
Hank SmithPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys