Clinch Mountain Echo

CMB Birthdays this month:

04 Feb 1972 - Steve Sparkman. Harlan, Kentucky.

04 Feb 1906 - Art Wooten. Born 'Arthur James Wooten' in Alleghany, North Carolina.

11 Feb 1960 - Junior Blankenship. Born at the old Grundy Hospital, Grundy, Va.

25 Feb 1927 - Ralph Stanley. Born 'Ralph Edmund Stanley' in Big Spraddle Creek, near Stratton, McClure, Virginia.

29 Feb 1932 - Jim Williams. Born 'James Lee Williams' in Wythe County, Virginia.


In Memoriam:

05 Feb 1980 - Chubby Anthony. Gainesville, Alachua, Florida.

08 Feb 2003 - Ralph 'Joe' Meadows. Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

08 Feb 1987 - Harold 'Red' Stanley. Fentress, Tennessee.


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

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

Good Times, Good Friends, & Good Pickin'
(Sonray no #)


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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
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Rebel Records
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Bluegrass Unlimited
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Clinch Mountain Echo

Pic. of the Day

Photo from the same session as used on Ralph's 'Play Requests' LP. 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...

Stanley Brothers
24 Feb 1966 - Rainbow Quest TV Show (60 years ago)

According to Gary Reid's definitive book The Music Of The Stanley Brothers, the Stanley's appearance on Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest TV show was made on this date, just prior to the European tour. It was later issued on video (Central Sun A-108) 1987, and DVD (Shanachie 605) 2005.

Ralph Stanley II
22 - 24 Feb 2008 - St. Louis, MO (18 years ago)

Ralph II appeared (presumably with the CMBs) at some point at 'Gateway City Bluegrass Festival' at Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, Missouri.

The festival itself ran from 22-24 February and other acts included: Dailey-Vincent, David Davis, Sally Jones, Stevens Sisters, Harmans, Eddie & Martha Adcock, Justin & Jenny Robbins, Buffalo City Ramblers, and Bankesters.

Ralph Stanley
22 - 24 Feb 1971 - Rebel recording session (55 years ago)

This two (or three) day session at Roy Homer's basement studio in Clinton, provided all the tracks for Ralph's LP Cry From The Cross (Rebel SLP 1499) 1971; four cuts for Something Old, Something New (Rebel SLP 1503) 1971; and one which appeared on Play Requests (Rebel SLP 1514) 1972. On the 22nd Brand New Tennesse Waltz was cut along with I Am The Man, Thomas, Take Your Shoes Off Moses and Death Is Only A Dream. On the 23rd they recorded Two Coats, Bright Morning Star, Come On Little Children, Prettiest Bed Of Flowers (aka The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming), Cry From The Cross, Step Out In The Sunshine, You're Drifting On, Gloryland, Stairway To Heaven, Will He Wait A Little Longer, Sinner Man, Shot-Gun Slade and Old Time Pickin'. Finally on the 24th they recorded I'll Remember You Love in My Prayers.

One 45 was released from the session:-

  • Brand New Tennessee Waltz / Old-time Pickin' (Rebel F-310) cMar 1971
21 Feb - 21 May 1985 - Nashville, TN (41 years ago)

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

24 Feb 1992 - Laguna Niguel, CA (34 years ago)

Ralph had a show at Shade Tree Stringed Instruments, 28062 Forbes Road, Laguna Niguel, California. The band played two shows at 8 and 10pm. Both were sold out & garnered a glowing review in the Los Angeles Times.

24 Feb 1996 - Tacoma, WA (30 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (24 Feb) at 'Wintergrass', Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, Tacoma, Washington.

The festival itself ran from 22-25 February and other acts included: Jim & Jesse, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan & Rowan Bros., Cox Family, Chesapeake, Laurie Lewis, California, Country Current, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Bluegrass Etc., Jo Miller / Laura Love Connection, Tumbleweed, Foxfire, Southern Rail, HighStrung, Mike Stein, Piney Creek Weasels, Cornerstone, Sidesaddle, Schankman Twins, and others.

24 Feb 1998 - Manhattan, NY (28 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Tramps nightclub in Manhattan, New York. Also on the bill were Jim Lauderdale & the Hackberry Ramblers. Tickets cost $15.

24 Feb 2001 - Knoxville, TN (25 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Laurel Theater, Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets cost $18 in advance ($17 for Jubilee Community Arts members), and $19 on the door. Children cost $12.

24 Feb - 03 Mar 2002 - Costa Atlantica (24 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on the '4th Annual Bluegrass Music Caribbean Cruise', which spent 7 days travelling from Fort Lauderdale - At Sea - San Juan - St. John/St. Thomas Catalina Island/Casa De Campo - At Sea - Nassau - Fort Lauderdale. Ralph had another booking on 1 Mar however, so I'm not sure if Ralph played on the cruise, or just at Fort Lauderdale on either the start or end date.

Other acts included: Larry Stephenson, Rhonda Vincent, Tim Graves & Cherokee, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Rarely Herd, Dale Ann Bradley, Ramona Church & Carolina Road, Mark Newton, and a 'special' performance by Jesse McReyonlds.

24 Feb 2006 - Dallas, TX (20 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Granada Theater, Dallas, Texas. Also on the bill were Two High String Band. Tickets cost $25 - $30.

24 - 25 Feb 2007 - Berkeley, CA (19 years ago)

Ralph had a two-night booking at St. John's Presbyterian Church. Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum shared the bill. The shows were presented by Freight & Salvage and tickets cost $33.50.

On the second night, which marked Ralph's 80th birthday, Berkley Mayor Tom Bates proclaimed 24-25 Feb to be "Ralph Stanley Days" in the city.

24 Feb 2012 - Easton, MD (14 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Avalon Theatre, Easton, Maryland. Tickets cost $45 (or $60?).

24 Feb 2013 - Newberry, SC (13 years ago)

Ralph had a 3pm afternoon show at the Newberry Opry House, Newberry, South Carolina. Tickets cost $40.



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CMB Birthdays this month:

04 Feb 1972 - Steve Sparkman. Harlan, Kentucky.

04 Feb 1906 - Art Wooten. Born 'Arthur James Wooten' in Alleghany, North Carolina.

11 Feb 1960 - Junior Blankenship. Born at the old Grundy Hospital, Grundy, Va.

25 Feb 1927 - Ralph Stanley. Born 'Ralph Edmund Stanley' in Big Spraddle Creek, near Stratton, McClure, Virginia.

29 Feb 1932 - Jim Williams. Born 'James Lee Williams' in Wythe County, Virginia.


In Memoriam:

05 Feb 1980 - Chubby Anthony. Gainesville, Alachua, Florida.

08 Feb 2003 - Ralph 'Joe' Meadows. Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

08 Feb 1987 - Harold 'Red' Stanley. Fentress, Tennessee.


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

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

T Bone Burnett Presents The Speaking Clock Revue
(Participant Music 826663-12590)


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
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