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



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
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Bluegrass Unlimited
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Clinch Mountain Echo

Pic. of the Day

Photo: Ralph II's band at Bean Blossom In. 15th Jun 2006. L-R: Danny Lee Davis, Junior Blankenship, Jack Cooke, Ralph Stanley II. Photo by Kim Davis / Mike Strangeland.


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
10 - 11 Feb 1959 - Second recording session for King (67 years ago)

On the second session for King the Stanley's recorded the material for their Hymns And Sacred Songs LP (King KLP-645) Oct 1959.

Two singles from the session were released prior to the album:-

  • How Can We Thank Him For What He Has Done/That Home Far Away (King 5197) 1959
  • White Dove / Mother's Footsteps Guide Me On (King 5233) Aug 1959

At the end of the second day, the brothers also cut the instrumental Suwannee River Hoedown, which was coupled with Memory Of Your Smile from their earlier session in Sept/Oct 1958 for release as a single (King 5210) in Jun 1959.

Ralph Stanley
11 Feb 1978 - Oberlin, OH (48 years ago)

Ralph had a show at Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.

11 Feb 1984 - Lancaster, PA (42 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Shindig In The Barn, at the Guernsey Barn, near Lancaster, Pa. Also on the bill was the Country Gentlemen. Tickets cost $6 (children 6-12 $3).

11 Feb 1988 - Nashville, TN (38 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Station Inn, Nashville, Tennessee. Tickets cost $8.

11 Feb 1994 - Everett, WA (32 years ago)

Ralph was listed as appearing as part of the 'Masters of the Banjo' West Coast tour at: Everett Community Theatre, Everett, Washington. Two shows took place with a school performance in the morning, and an 8pm evening concert.

11 Feb 1995 - Fair Oaks, CA (31 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Sunrise Baptist Church youth center, Fair Oaks, California. Also on the bill were State Mountain Bluegrass. The concert was organised by the Sacramento Area Branch of the California Bluegrass Association. Tickets cost $14 in advance.

11 Feb 1996 - Riverside, CA (30 years ago)

Ralph had a show at The Barn, University of California, Riverside, California. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $11 on the door.

11 - 12 Feb 1997 - Mill Valley, CA (29 years ago)

Ralph had a two-day booking at Sweetwater Cafe, Mill Valley, California.

11 - 13 Feb 1998 - Berkeley, CA (28 years ago)

Ralph had a 3-night booking at Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, California. Tickets cost $15.50 - $16.50.

10 - 12 Feb 1999 - Berkeley, CA (27 years ago)

Ralph had a three-night booking at the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, California. Tickets cost $16.50 - $17.50.

11 Feb 1999 - Santa Cruz, CA (27 years ago)

Ralph had a show listed at the Pacific Cultural Center, Santa Cruz, California. The band were scheduled to perform at 4pm and 8pm. Tickets cost $16.50.

10 - 12 Feb 2000 - Berkeley, CA (26 years ago)

Ralph had a three-night booking at the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, California. Tickets cost $19.50.

11 Feb 2001 - Santa Monica, CA (25 years ago)

Ralph appeared at McCabe's Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, California. The band played two shows at 7 and 9pm. Both were sold out.

Material from this show, which was recorded two days after 'Oh Brother…' had been certified as a 'Gold' seller, was released on CD: Live At McCabe's Guitar Shop (Digital Club Network DCNCD 1002) 2002.

11 Feb 2002 - Denver, CO (24 years ago)

Ralph appeared as part of the 'Down From The Mountain' tour at the Paramount Theater, Denver, Colorado. Other acts included: Alison Krauss, Norman Blake, Nashville Bluegrass Band, and others.

11 Feb 2005 - Albuquerque, NM (21 years ago)

Ralph had a show at Popejoy Hall Center for the Arts, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Also on the bill were the Reeltime Travelers. Tickets cost $24 - $35.

11 Feb 2007 - Memphis, TN (19 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Gibson Beale Street Showcase Lounge, Memphis, Tennessee. The gig was presented by Gibson and Yarborough's Music.

11 Feb 2012 - Manassas, VA (14 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, Virginia. Tickets cost $30 - $46.



Our top YouTube video picks!


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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:-

Hills Of Roan County
(Gusto/King KSCD 5106)


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