Steve Sparkman
Best known for
Banjo
Steve Sparkman is widely considered the finest Stanley-style banjo picker ever outside of Ralph Stanley himself. He holds the unique distinction of being only the second banjo player to ever serve as a regular, full-time member of the Clinch Mountain Boys — Ralph Stanley being the first. Sparkman joined the band in 1994 when Stanley broke his femur and could no longer hold the banjo on stage, and when Ralph recovered, he kept Steve on. Sparkman remained with the Clinch Mountain Boys for 16 years until leaving in 2010 to pursue a law-enforcement career.
- Born circa 1972 in Harlan County, Kentucky — the heart of Eastern Kentucky coal country. His great-grandfather in Harlan County supplied the country saying that Sparkman later turned into the tune “Booger Mule” on his 1995 solo album.
- Soaked up the Stanley sound and Ralph’s idiosyncratic two- and three-finger banjo style from early in life, eventually becoming so close to Ralph’s approach that on recordings with both men playing, it was often hard to tell them apart.
- In May 1994, at age 22, Sparkman was called in to fill the banjo chair for Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys after Stanley broke his femur in an accident and could no longer hold the banjo on stage. When Ralph’s hip healed, he kept Sparkman as a permanent member of the band, doing most of the banjo playing thereafter.
- Recorded his debut solo album, a Stanley-style instrumental collection, on October 5, 1995 at Maggard Studios in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, about 15 months after joining the Clinch Mountain Boys. Featured original compositions alongside Stanley tunes and traditional standards, with Ralph himself guesting on a couple of cuts. Backed by John Rigsby (mandolin), James Price (fiddle), and James Alan Shelton (guitar).
- A featured member of the Clinch Mountain Boys through their major early-2000s recordings — including the Grammy-winning Clinch Mountain Country (1998) and the O Brother, Where Art Thou?-era lineup that performed on the 2002 Down from the Mountain Tour.
- In 2008 produced and anchored the instructional DVD Stanley Style Banjo, one of the few dedicated instructional resources for the elusive Stanley banjo style. Anchored by James Alan Shelton on guitar with additional features on Frank Neat’s Stanleytone banjo workshop.
- Left the Clinch Mountain Boys in 2010 to accept a position as a police officer with the Versailles, Kentucky police department — a move he made to secure long-term benefits and stability for his family. Replaced in the band by left-handed banjo player Jarrod Church.
- In 2013 appeared on Don Rigsby’s The Doctor is In, a tribute album to Dr. Ralph Stanley.
- Continues to live in the greater Lexington, Kentucky area, gives banjo lessons, and has mentored a number of young Stanley-style players. Johnny Mizzone is among his notable students.
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Distant Land to RoamRalph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys · A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family (2006)
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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)
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Waves on the SeaRalph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys · A Distant Land to Roam: Songs of the Carter Family (2006)
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Ralph Stanley and FriendsPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and Friends
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Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain BoysPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
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Jack CookePlayed on recordings with Jack Cooke
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Ralph StanleyPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley
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Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain BoysPlayed on recordings with Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
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Ralph Stanley and Ralph Stanley IIPlayed on recordings with Ralph Stanley and Ralph Stanley II
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Don RigsbyPlayed on recording with Don Rigsby
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Ralph Stanley IIPlayed on recording with Ralph Stanley II