Ralph Stanley

Ralph Stanley
Stanley in 2011
Stanley in 2011
Background information
Birth nameRalph Edmund Stanley
Born(1927-02-25)February 25, 1927
McClure, Virginia, U.S.
OriginBig Spraddle Creek, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJune 23, 2016(2016-06-23) (aged 89)
Sandy Ridge, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
OccupationBluegrass musician
InstrumentBanjo
Years active1946–2016
Labels
Spouse
Jimmi
(m. 1968)
Websitedrralphstanleymusic.com

Ralph Edmund Stanley (February 25, 1927 – June 23, 2016) was an American bluegrass artist, known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing. He began playing music in 1946, originally with his older brother Carter Stanley as part of The Stanley Brothers, and most often as the leader of his band, The Clinch Mountain Boys. Ralph was also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley.

He was part of the first generation of bluegrass musicians and was inducted into both the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor and the Grand Ole Opry.