Clinch Mountain Echo

CMB Birthdays this month:

04 May 1922 - Harold 'Red' Stanley. Born 'Harold Oplis Stanley' in Fentress, Tennessee.

18 May 1938 - Henry Dockery. Walnut Marsh, North Carolina.

28 May 1956 - Ralph 'Hank' Smith. Born 'Ralph Dewayne Smith' in Elliott County, Kentucky.


In Memoriam:

02 May 1974 - Roy Lee Centers. Breathitt County, Kentucky.

03 May 2000 - Bill Napier. Johnson City, Tennessee.

09 May 1989 - Keith Whitley. Goodlettsville, Davidson County, Tennessee.

23 May 2022 - James Price. Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia.


For the Official Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys site, visit:

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

Clinch Mountain Boys Reunion
(Stanleytone ST-CD-5000)


CME Recommends...

A Life Of Constant Sorrow
alifeofsorrow.com

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Ralph Stanley Museum
ralphstanleymuseum.com

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Hills Of Home Festival
drralphstanleyfestival.com

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Rebel Records
rebelrecords.com

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Bluegrass Unlimited
Bluegrass Unlimited
Clinch Mountain Echo

Pic. of the Day

Photo from the same 1977 session as used on the cover to Ralph's 'Clinch Mountain Gospel' LP. L-R: Troy 'Renfro' Profitt, Jack Cooke, Ralph Stanley, Keith Whitley, Curly Ray Cline. Photo by Rodger W. Coldiron.


Rollin' On Rubber Wheels

New Ralph II album!


Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys - Rollin' On The Rubber Wheels

Ralph II has a fine new album available on Stanley Family Records.

Featuring a choice selection of songs, the album successfully combines the rich legacy of the "Stanley" sound with Ralph II's own contemporary country-influences.

Click here for a full review.

If you're in the US CD's can be ordered from Ralph II's webstore / ralph2.com. (Outside of the US if you're address shows as invalid, use the contact email on ralph2.com to sort mailing costs/payment)

Digital copies can be found on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon (US), Amazon (UK). There's also a playlist on youtube.


...The Clinch Mountain Time Machine...


On this day...

Ralph Stanley II
19 Mar - 19 May 2005 - Warrenton, VA (21 years ago)

Ralph II had a show (with the CMBs) at Fauquier High School, Warrenton, Virginia. Also on the bill was Cliff Waldron. The event was a fund-raiser for the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company. Tickets cost $15 in advance, or $20 on the door.

10 - 13 May 2006 - Rocky Mount, VA (20 years ago)

Ralph II led the CMBs (at some point) at the 'Festival In The Pines', Tripple Creek Music Campground, Rocky Mount, Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 10-13 May 2006 and other acts included: Gibson Bros., Rhonda Vincent, Larry Stephenson, Wright Kids, Bluegrass Bros., Mark Templeton & New Vision, Lewis Family, Cherryholmes, Blackwater, Little Mountain Boys, and Poplar Hollow.

10 May 2014 - Hiltons, VA (12 years ago)

Ralph II had a show at the Carter Family Fold, Hiltons, Virginia. Tickets cost $10 (children $1).

Ralph Stanley
10 May 1980 - Stuart, VA (46 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (10 May) at the Dominion Boys Bluegrass festival in Wayside Park, Stuart, Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 9-10 May and other acts included: Jimmy Martin, Dominion Bluegrass Boys, Bluegrass cardinals, Lost & Found, Shendoah Cut-Ups, Old Time Square Dancers, Quicksilver, Lost & Found, McPeak Bros., and Bass Mountain Boys.

21 Feb - 21 May 1985 - Nashville, TN (41 years ago)

Ralph played a show at the Station Inn, Nashville, Tennessee.

10 May 1985 - Vancouver, Canada (41 years ago)

Ralph played a show at the Anza Club in Vancouver, Canada. A 1hr 25min recording exists with two sets.

10 May 1987 - Wausau, WI (39 years ago)

Ralph appeared as part of a "Legends of Bluegrass" event at the Grand Theater, Wausau, Wisconsin. The show also included: Bill Monroe, Mac Wiseman, and Jim & Jesse.

10 May 1993 - Big Mo recording session (33 years ago)

At this session at Big Mo studio in Kensington, Md. Ralph cut three tracks for his CD Christmas Time With… (Freeland Recording Co. FRC-CD639) 1993. The liner notes are a little unclear but it's likely that the tracks were Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem, Don't Make Us Cry On Christmas Day and a rework of the Stanley's Christmas Is Near.

09 - 10 May 1996 - Indianapolis, IN (30 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing (at some point between 9-10 May) at 'The Indy Classic', Ramada Hotel Airport, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The indoor festival ran from 8-10 May and other acts included: Cox Family, Blue Night, Warrior River Boys, Charlie Sizemore Band, New Vintage, Hart Bros. Larkin Family, and Tommy Brown & County Line.

10 May 1996 - Charlottesville, VA (30 years ago)

Ralph appeared at a sold out show at the Prism Coffeehouse, Charlottesville, Virginia. The show was part of a WTJU Folk Marathon, which ran from 3-9 May & and included a variety of acts. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $17 on the door.

An hour of Ralph's performance was broadcast live on WTJU 91.1 FM radio.

10 May 1997 - Lewisburg, NC (29 years ago)

Ralph had a show at Lewisburg, North Carolina.

10 May 2001 - KET Jubilee TV (25 years ago)

A performance by Ralph from 4 Aug 2000 (from the Osborne Bros' festival in Hyden, Ky) was broadcast on KET. The broadcast also featured Southern Harvest.

08 - 11 May 2002 - Rocky Mount, VA (24 years ago)

Ralph was listed as appearing (at some point between 8-9 or 11 May) at the 'Festival In The Pines', Tripple Creek Campground, Roicky Mount, Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 8-11 May and other acts included: Lewis Family, Continental Divide, Nothin' Fancy, Country Gentlemen, Larry Stephenson, IIIrd Tyme Out, James King, Mark Newton, Heather Berry, Grass Fire, John Starling, Tom Gray, Ben Elridge, Green Island Pickers, Poplar Hollow, Lost & Found, and Patrick Henry Travellers.

10 May 2002 - Booneville, KY (24 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Friday (10 May) at River Park Bluegrass Festival, River Park Saddle Club, Booneville, Kentucky.

The festival itself ran from 9-11 May and other acts included: Sullivans, Don Stanley & Boys From Middle Creek, Lonesome Whistle Band, John Meins & Southern Harvest, James King, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, Rob Morgan & Co., Lawrence Bishop & Bluegrass Circuit Riders, Warrior River Boys, Gary Brewer, Crossroads, Gerald Evans & Paradise, and Harold Staggs & Friends In Bluegrass.

10 May 2008 - Richmond, VA (18 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Science Museum, Richmond, Virginia.

10 May 2012 - Memphis, TN (14 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Buckman Perfroming Arts Center, Memphis, Tennessee.

10 May 2013 - Memphis, TN (13 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center, at St. Mary's Episcopal School, Memphis, Tennessee. Tickets cost $35.

Goins Brothers
10 May 1970 - Jalyn recording session (56 years ago)

At this recording session The Goins Brothers recorded their second LP: Bluegrass Country (Jalyn JLP-131) 1971.



Our top YouTube video picks!


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Got a favourite Stanley related youtube video? Send us your suggestions!

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CMB Birthdays this month:

04 May 1922 - Harold 'Red' Stanley. Born 'Harold Oplis Stanley' in Fentress, Tennessee.

18 May 1938 - Henry Dockery. Walnut Marsh, North Carolina.

28 May 1956 - Ralph 'Hank' Smith. Born 'Ralph Dewayne Smith' in Elliott County, Kentucky.


In Memoriam:

02 May 1974 - Roy Lee Centers. Breathitt County, Kentucky.

03 May 2000 - Bill Napier. Johnson City, Tennessee.

09 May 1989 - Keith Whitley. Goodlettsville, Davidson County, Tennessee.

23 May 2022 - James Price. Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia.


For the Official Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys site, visit:

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

Live Again! WCYB Bristol Farm & Fun Time
(Rebel REB-854)


CME Recommends...

A Life Of Constant Sorrow
alifeofsorrow.com

CME Recommends...

Ralph Stanley Museum
ralphstanleymuseum.com

CME Recommends...

Hills Of Home Festival
drralphstanleyfestival.com

CME Recommends...

Rebel Records
rebelrecords.com

CME Recommends...

Bluegrass Unlimited
Bluegrass Unlimited