Ralph Stanley, bluegrass master, dies at 89 (1 Viewer)

[Swing 51]

A legend. RIP Doctor.

Ralph Stanley, a masterful bluegrass singer and banjoist whose performances on the Grammy Award-winning movie soundtrack album “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” helped inspire a bluegrass resurgence in the 2000s, died June 23. He was 89.

He died at his home in Sandy Ridge, Va., because of difficulties from skin cancer, publicist Kirt Webster told the Associated Press.

Mr. Stanley, widely regarded as an eminence in bluegrass, helped launch the careers of such country and bluegrass stars as Larry Sparks, Ricky Skaggs and the late Keith Whitley.

In recent decades, Mr. Stanley won some of the highest honors in his profession — including a National Medal of Arts — and recorded with such performers as Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Lucinda Williams and Joan Baez. Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead once called him “the most perfect singer alive.”

It was a plaintive, nimble and haunting voice that blended elements of Primitive Baptist church choirs and the Grand Ole Opry, music on which Mr. Stanley was weaned in far southwestern Virginia.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

My dad is a big bluegrass fan, and we occasionally went to The Birchmere in northern VA to catch local favorite the Seldom Scene.  We also caught one of Ralph's shows there in the late 80's.  We're gonna miss him. :(

 

[BowieMercs]

RIP Ralph

Birchmere is legit... unless you cant remain completely silent... then the grade school nuns/nazis/whatever  beat you into submission.

 

[Apple Jack]

He lived a long, full life, but still a huge loss. Dude was the essence the high and lonesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvnzOs7ONx8

 

[BowieMercs]

I'm taking my daughter to the Birchmere Sept 25 to see the Soggy Bottom Boys for her 26th bday. Should be a good time.

https://www.birchmere.com/events/the-soggy-bottom-boys/

 

[Swing 51]

Birchmere is legit... unless you cant remain completely silent... then the grade school nuns/nazis/whatever  beat you into submission.

I think it depends on the band/genre of music. In February I saw Shovels & Rope there and the crowd was pretty lively, and the band didn't seem to mind and engaged with the crowd quite a bit. A great venue, though the service kind of sucks; it helps to double fist if you are one to indulge in spirits.

I'll be listening to Ralph and the Boys at McCabe's Guitar shop tonight; lots of great Ralph shtick during that show.


 

 

[BowieMercs]

I think it depends on the band/genre of music. In February I saw Shovels & Rope there and the crowd was pretty lively, and the band didn't seem to mind and engaged with the crowd quite a bit. A great venue, though the service kind of sucks; it helps to double fist if you are one to indulge in spirits.

I'll be listening to Ralph and the Boys at McCabe's Guitar shop tonight; lots of great Ralph shtick during that show.


 

The bands never seem to mind an engaged crowd. It's some Birch staffers & stuffed shirt patrons that can't have fun.

Yeah service aint great. Another GREAT venue with crappy service is The Hamilton in DC. I always buy beer a pitcher at a time when at the Birchmere or Hamilton.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

An absolute giant in American music.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

I'm taking my daughter to the Birchmere Sept 25 to see the Soggy Bottom Boys for her 26th bday. Should be a good time.

https://www.birchmere.com/events/the-soggy-bottom-boys/

May have to look into going with my son and maybe my dad.  I think I was about the same age my son is now(17) when my dad and I started going there.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

A legend. RIP Doctor.

Well hopefully he will find Vassar Clements and Jerry Garcia up in heaven and they will get together with a few others and make another Old and In the Way album.  I know he was not on the first, but my understanding is that Garcia did want him on it.

 

[saintfool]

he was one of those guys that not only had the voice but also the vocal phrasing. one of my favorite singers like Roy Orbison.