Ralph Stanley

**Tim** · Dec-14-2004, 5:17am

Originally Posted by

Touring with the Clinch Mountain Boys -- a group that also includes his son, Ralph Stanley II, and Ralph II's son Nathan, a kid not yet old enough to shave but plenty old enough to impress on five-string mandolin -- Stanley served as part performer, part impresario at the Birchmere on Sunday night.

That was from a review of his Sunday show at the Birchmere near DC. #Does his grandson really play a five string mandolin or is this just an error by the reviewer?

**Scott Tichenor** · Dec-14-2004, 5:27am

The review.

Tim, my guess is this writer got the mandolin mixed up with the 5-string banjo. I'd guess your average editor/proofreader wouldn't catch that one!

**Darren Kern** · Dec-14-2004, 6:23am

Originally Posted by (Scott Tichenor @ Dec. 14 2004, 07:27)

The review.

Tim, my guess is this writer got the mandolin mixed up with the 5-string banjo. I'd guess your average editor/proofreader wouldn't catch that one!

I've seen Dr. Ralph twice very recently, and if I'm pretty sure his grandson plays a normal style mandolin. I can't remember what he was playing exactly but I would've remembered if he played a 5 string. The kid is pretty dang good for his age.

**John Flynn** · Dec-14-2004, 7:48am

I saw Ralph on the Great High Mountain Tour a few months ago. Wow, he was great. He did the tune "Death" acapella. It was very powerful. What a voice that guy has! It is as "high and lonesome" as it gets.

**GVD** · Dec-14-2004, 8:02pm

It was definitely a mandolin or the darndest 8 string banjo I've ever seen!

GVD

**Tim Conroy** · Dec-14-2004, 8:37pm

Saw Dr. Ralph summer before last at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles- on one of the free stages yet! #Rhonda Vincent opened for him. #His grandson was playing your basic 8-string F-style, wasn't close enough to see who made it.

Unfortunately, Kenny Loggins was playing the Grandstand stage that night and had his sound system cranked way up, so when Ralph sang 'O Death,' he was competing with 'Celebrate Me Home.' #Kinda surreal. #

Good show though.

**jim simpson** · Dec-15-2004, 5:43am

I saw Ralph and gang last month. Ralph only played banjo on one tune and that was clawhammer. His band was great but if I hear O Death one more time, I'm going to kill myself! Ralph Jr. was not with the band - Is he doing his own thing now? I believe the grandson took a break on one or two songs. He was well received. The special treat for me was seeing Tony Rice with Peter Rowan on the same bill as well as Seldome Scene. It had been quite a while since I've seen Tony & he sounded great. I love the fact that he doesn't use a pickup, just a mic. I also prefer to see Pete Rowan in a group context, he was in good form.

**Darren Kern** · Dec-15-2004, 6:12am

Originally Posted by (jim simpson @ Dec. 15 2004, 07:43)

I saw Ralph and gang last month. Ralph only played banjo on one tune and that was clawhammer. His band was great but if I hear O Death one more time, I'm going to kill myself! Ralph Jr. was not with the band - Is he doing his own thing now? I believe the grandson took a break on one or two songs. He was well received. The special treat for me was seeing Tony Rice with Peter Rowan on the same bill as well as Seldome Scene. It had been quite a while since I've seen Tony & he sounded great. I love the fact that he doesn't use a pickup, just a mic. I also prefer to see Pete Rowan in a group context, he was in good form.

Jim, he was with the band when I saw them in Tennessee in October, but wasn't with them when I saw them at the NC State Fair two weeks later. Not sure what's up with that.

**randolin** · Dec-16-2004, 7:12pm

Saw Dr Ralph and his grandkid play L.A. last year. The kid was playing an F5G. He chopped his way through the whole set.

**Bradley** · Dec-19-2004, 6:40am

They were on the Opry Saturday night, and the Mando player was very young looking and yes he just played chops the entire set.

The thing with Ralph II is that you can tell his heart is not in the Stanley Tradition.IMHO he'd rather be singing country music than Virginia style bluegrass.Makes you wander what he would be doing if his Dad was not Ralph Stanley??

**cutbait2** · Dec-19-2004, 11:59am

he'd probably be a pretty good country singer with a good band behind him. i chatted with him after a set a couple years ago. real down to earth, friendly guy with a great singing voice. he'll have options when he quits touring with Sr. until then I think he's enjoying doing that, they get a great reception everywhere. i wonder if grandson will replace the reg mando picker, Don Rigbys cousin, help me with the name......