Clinch Mountain Echo

CMB Birthdays this month:

01 Apr 1939 - Cullen Galyean. Born Willie Cullen Galyean in Surry County, NC.

05 Apr 1930 - Bill Lowe. Born 'William Harold Lowe' Rural Retreat, Wythe, Virginia.

11 Apr 1925 - George Shuffler. Born 'George Saunders Shuffler' in Burke, North Carolina.


In Memoriam:

07 Apr 2014 - George Shuffler. Valdese, Burke, North Carolina.

10 Apr 2018 - Ernie Thacker. Pikeville, Pike, Kentucky.


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

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

Radio Series Vol. Two
(Wango CD-110)


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A Life Of Constant Sorrow
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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
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Bluegrass Unlimited
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Clinch Mountain Echo

Pic. of the Day

Photo: On tour in Japan 1971. L-R: Curly Ray Cline, Ralph Stanley, Roy Lee Centers, Jack Cooke. Photo by Dick Freeland.


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.

29 Apr 2006 - Ladysmith, VA (20 years ago)

Ralph played (presumably with the CMBs) at 'Mr B's Bluegrass Festival' , Mr B's Bluegrass Park, Ladysmith, Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 27-29 April and other acts included: Honi Deaton & Dream, Lewis Family, Timmons Family, IIIrd Tyme Out, Alecia Nugent, Darren Beachley & Maryland Line, Anita Fisher Band, Randy Waller & Country Gentlemen, Rhonda Vincent, Bluegrass Bros., Cherryholmes, Mark Templeton & New Vision.

Ralph Stanley
29 Apr 1967 - Bedford / Rocky Mount, VA (59 years ago)

Ralph appeared at a Dance at Smith Mountain Lake, near Hales Ford Bridge on Highway 122 between Bedford and Rocky Mount, Virginia. Also on the bill were Bill Jefferson and The Playboys.

The show was the first at the venue, which advertised: "Dance - Round, Square, Twist, Slow Dancing - You name it. Our big open air pavilion is located just opposite DeLong's Service Station at Hales Ford Bridge… Come by boat or car".

29 Apr 1972 - Pryor, OK (54 years ago)

Ralph played two shows at the Graham Memorial Auditorium, Pryor, Oklahoma. The Saturday afternoon show (4pm) cost $2 and the evening (8pm) $2.50. Also appearing were the Moon Hull Mountain Boys, Illinois River Folks, Bill Grant, Flint Creek Boys, Oklahoma Hilltopers, and UMY & the Bluegrass Revue.

29 Apr 1978 - Stuart, VA (48 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (29 Apr) at the 'Dominion Bluegrass Boys Festival' at Wayside Park, Stuart, Virginia.

The festival itself ran from the 28-30th April and other acts included: Dominion Bluegrass Boys, Osborne Bros., Shenandoah Cut-Ups, Buddle Pendleton, Art Wooten, Country Gentlemen, Mac Wiseman, and Bill Clifton - Red Rector.

27 - 29 Apr 1979 - Arley, AL (47 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing at 'Bushy Creek Bluegrass' at Smith Lake, Arley, Alabama.

Other acts included: JD Crowe, John Starling, Charlie Cline & the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, Front Porch String Band, Red - Murphy Henry, Three On A String, Sand Mountain Cloggers, Herb Trotman & the Spaulding Bros., Glenn Tolbert, Dicie Bluegrass Boys, and Brushy Creek Bluegrass.

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

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

29 Apr 1989 - Wilkesboro, NC (37 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (29 Apr) at the '2nd Annual Merle Watson Memorial Festival' in Wilkes Community College Gardens, Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Net proceeds from the festival went to benefit the Eddy Merle Watson gardens for the senses endowment fund. The festival itself ran from 28-30 April and other acts included: Doc Watson, Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe, Hot Rize, Tony Rice Unit, John Hartford, Marty Stuart, Roland White, Mac Wilseman, Jim & Jesse, Wildwood Express, Jack Lawrence, Peter Rowan, Nashville Bluegrass Band, New Grass Revival, Moody Bros., George Hamilton IV, Mark O'Connor - Pete Kennedy - Jerry Douglas, and Smith Sisters.

28 - 29 Apr 1990 - Waller, TX (36 years ago)

Ralph was listed as headlining the "Spring Bluebonnet Bluegrass Festival", in Jellystone Park and Campground, near Waller, Texas. It's likely that the band performed on the Saturday / Sunday (28-29 Apr) as they had another booking on the Friday (27 Apr).

The festival itself ran from 27-29 April and other acts included: Tennesee Valley Authority, Warrior River Boys, The Barnburners, Rank Strangers, Lonestar, Kimberley M'Carver, Flatland, Gabby & the Lone Star Cowboys, Fat Chance!, Hickory Hill, The Houston-Austin Connection, Michael Rex & Oasis, Fightin' Creek, Cherokee River Band, Danny Barnes Trio, Newground, and Special Consensus.

29 Apr 1993 - Whitesburg, KY (33 years ago)

Ralph had a show in Whitesburg, Kentucky.

29 Apr 1994 - Branson, MO (32 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Friday (29 Apr) at '1st Annual Branson Bluegrass Breakout' festival at Mutton Hollow Entertainment Park & Craft Village, Branson, Missouri.

The festival was held in conjunction the Americana Television Newtork who videotaped appearances for the 'Americana Bluegrass Breakout' show.

The festival itself ran from 28 April to 1 May and other acts included: Bill Monroe, Doyle Lawson, James Monroe, Sally Mountain Show with Rhonda Vincent, Cox Family, Reno Bros., Lonesome River Band, New Vintage Bluegrass Band, Country Gentlemen, Bill Emerson, Bill Jones & the Bluegrass Travelers, and Dry Branch Fire Squad. Special events included a father & son reunion of Bill & James Monore, a Country Gents 1971 reunion (Waller, Lawson, Emerson & Yates) and a Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver reunion (Lawson, Baucom, Reid & Haley).

29 Apr 1995 - Clayton, GA / Westmister, SC (31 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (29 Apr) at the '3rd Annual Spring Family Style Bluegrass Festival' at Rholetter's Apple Valley Music Park' between Clayton, Georgia and Westminster, South Carolina. The show also included a 'Reunion with Ralph, Larry Sparks & George Shuffler'.

The festival itself ran from 28-29 April and other acts included: Fulman Boyce & Harmony Express, Michael Eades & Battle Creek Boys, Larry Sparks, Blackwell Tradition, Oliver Rice & the Blue Ridge Mountain Band.

29 Apr 2005 - Andrews, NC (21 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Cherokee Jamboree Pavillion, Andrews, North Carolina.

29 Apr 2010 - Maryville, TN (16 years ago)

Ralph had a show at Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville, Tennessee. Also on the bill were the Cherryholmes. Tickets cost $24.50, $29.50 & $36.

28 - 29 Apr 2012 - Indio, CA (14 years ago)

Ralph appeared (at some point) at the "Stagecoach Country Music Festival", Indio, California.

The festival itself ran from 28-29 April and other acts included: Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, Blake Shelton, Sunny Sweeney, Brett Eldredge, Mavericks, The Unforgiven, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Old Man Markley, Sara Watkins, Luke Bryan, Jayhawks, JD Souther, and others.



Our top YouTube video picks!


Have you seen this?

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

(Note that any youtube video which has embedding disabled unfortunately can't be shown!)

CMB Birthdays this month:

01 Apr 1939 - Cullen Galyean. Born Willie Cullen Galyean in Surry County, NC.

05 Apr 1930 - Bill Lowe. Born 'William Harold Lowe' Rural Retreat, Wythe, Virginia.

11 Apr 1925 - George Shuffler. Born 'George Saunders Shuffler' in Burke, North Carolina.


In Memoriam:

07 Apr 2014 - George Shuffler. Valdese, Burke, North Carolina.

10 Apr 2018 - Ernie Thacker. Pikeville, Pike, Kentucky.


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

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