Clinch Mountain Echo

CMB Birthdays this month:

01 Jul 1954 - Keith Whitley. Born 'Jackie Keith Whitley' in Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky.

10 Jul 1970 - Mitchell Van Dyke. Born in Grundy, Virgina.

14 Jul 1950 - Troy 'Renfro' Profitt. Born 'Troy Lynn Profitt' in Richlands, Tazewell County, Virginia.

18 Jul 1954 - Ricky Skaggs. Born 'Ricky Lee Skaggs' in Louisa, Kentucky.


In Memoriam:

06 Jul 1974 - Bobby Sumner. Perry, Kentucky.

08 Jul 2010 - Doug Morris.

09 Jul 2003 - Johnnie Bonds. Live Oak, Florida.

13 Jul 2010 - Cullen Galyean. Mount Airy, Surry County, NC

25 Jul 2019 - Troy 'Renfro' Profitt. Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky.

29 Jul 2016 - Melvin Goins. Sturgeon Falls, Nipissing, Ontario, Canada.


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

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

God Bless Her She's My Mother
(Jessup MB-146)


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ralphstanleymuseum.com

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Hills Of Home Festival
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Clinch Mountain Echo

Pic. of the Day

Photo from the same session as used on the Stanley Brothers 'In Person' LP.


Junior Blankenship & Ralph

RIP - Junior Blankenship

It's sad news that Junior Blankenship died of a heart attack 24 June 2026, aged just 66.

Junior joined the Clinch Mountain Boys in late 1977 around the same time as Charlie Sizemore, and recorded over 20 albums with Ralph Stanley between 1978 and 2014. He also made four albums with Ernie Thacker, and had two solo CDs...Prior to joining the Clinch Mountain Boys, he also played on two LPs by the Rocky Mountain Boys, along with his Dad Hillard.

One of the finest lead guitar pickers to play with Ralph, he will definitely be missed.

For obituary please see www.haysifuneral.com

Condolences to his family and friends.

PS: If anyone has a copy of his last CD 'Old Home Place', I'm still trying to buy one!


...The Clinch Mountain Time Machine...


On this day...

Stanley Brothers
11 Jul 1957 - Glen Burnie, MD (69 years ago)

A show at Melody Ranch, Glen Burnie, Maryland, was recorded by Bill Offenbacher with one song, Just Another Broken Heart later being released on the live compilation Shadows Of The Past (Copper Creek CCLP-0101) 1981.

11 Jul 1960 - Fourth recording session for King (66 years ago)

The eight tracks cut at this session, were all featured on the In Person LP (King KLP-719) Nov 1960, with two singles released prior:-

  • Finger Poppin' Time / Daybreak In Dixie (King 5384) Jul 1960
  • Little Benny / Old Love Letters (King 5415) Oct 1960
11 Jul 1960 - Wayne Raney session (66 years ago)

Following on from the King session earlier in the day, the Stanleys were persuaded to record two additional tracks later that evening at the home of DJ Wayne Raney. The results were below par, but this didn't stop Starday coupling Come All Ye Tenderhearted on a 45 with Choo Choo Comin' (Starday 587) Apr 1962. The other track they recorded, a lack lustre version of Rank Stranger remained unreleased until it was unearthed on the 4×CD set The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961.

Ralph Stanley
09 - 11 Jul 1971 - Kilgore, TX (55 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing at 'Thompson's East Texas Bluegrass Music Festival', at Frank Thompson's farm, Pirtle Community, Kilgore, Texas. Other advertised acts included: Jimmy Martin, Lewis Family, Holly Bond & Bluegrass Texans, Buck White & Down Home Folks, House Brothers & Cannan Valley Boys, Bill Box, and Earl Garner & Bluegrass Mountaineers.

11 Jul 1975 - Renfro Valley, KY (51 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on the 11th July at Mac Wiseman's 'Renfro Valley Blue Grass Music Festival'.

The festival itself ran from the 11-13th July and included: Marshall Family, Osborne Bros., Lonzo & Oscar, Mac Wiseman, Lewis Family, II Generation, Shenandoah Cut-Ups, McLain Family, Red Rector, the Phipps Family, Chubby Wise, and Howard Forester.

10 - 11 Jul 1976 - Glenwood, IN (50 years ago)

Ralph appeared at the '1st Lost Acres Bluegrass Festival' near Glenwood, Indiana. An audio recording from Saturday evening (10 Jul) can be found on youtube.

The festival itself ran from the 9-11 July, but as Ralph had another afternoon booking on Saturday (10 Jul), he only played on the Saturday night & possibly Sunday.

Other acts included: Bill Monroe, James Monroe, Paul Mullins - Noah Crase & the Boys From Indiana, Jimmie Skinner, Gospel Ramblers, Moore Bros., Kentucky Gentlemen, Rev. Bobby jewell & the Kerr Family, Ray Crook & the Newgrass Partners, Joe Jenkins & the Bluegrass Pickers, the Hillsiders, Bluegrass Mountaineers, Raymond Brown - Frank Neat & the Lonesome Valley boys, Chuck Amerheim & White River Express, Debbie & Robbie Hammons & His 5-String Banjo, and Bitter Sweet String Band.

11 Jul 1976 - Lake Geneva, WI (50 years ago)

A newspaper article in "The Lake Geneva Regional News" from 14 Jul 1977 mentions Ralph playing at the 1976 festival. I'm not sure if this is correct however as the band were at '1st Lost Acres Bluegrass Festival' near Glenwood, Indiana the day before.

Other bands listed included: Piper Road Spring Band, Lester Flatt, and Bill Monroe.

07 - 15 Jul 1979 - Antique / Junk Sale (47 years ago)

The "Bristol Herald Courier" listed a "SELLING OUT Of a 25 yr. collection of Antiques & Junk - Such as copper, brass, pewter, cast iron, silver, glassware and more than you can believe. This sale will be for 8 days only. Starting July 7 thru July 15, beginning at 6am Saturday morning. If you have anything to sell, trade or swap bring it to the MOUNTAIN FLEA MARKET, located at Ralph Stanley's Memorial Park on Smith Ridge between McClure and Coeburn in Dickenson County. Bring your camper and stay the week…

11 - 12 Jul 1980 - Glenwood, IN (46 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing at the '5th Annual Lost Acres Bluegrass Festival' 6 miles Southeast of Glenwood, Indiana.

Other acts included: Ed Hamilton, Wilson Bros., Hillsiders, Muddy River, Bluegrass Sounds, Southwind, Barry Simpson, and Debbie Hammons.

11 - 12 Jul 1981 - Whitmore Lake, MI (45 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday / Sunday (11-12 Jul) at the festival at Whitmore Lake, Michigan.

The festival itself ran from 10-12th July and other acts included: Lewis Family, McLain Family, Blue Velvet, Bluegrass Cardinals, Georgia Mountain Boys, Vernon McIntyre, Uncle Charlie Flannery, and Walcott Family.

11 Jul 1982 - Vernon Valley / Great Gorge, NJ (44 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing at the '4th Annual Vernon Valley / Great Gorge & Mountain Dew Bluegrass Festival' next to Action Park, Vernon Valley / Great Gorge, New Jersey.

Other acts included: Bill Monroe, Osborne Bros., Lewis Family, Jimmy Martin, James Monroe, Peter Rowan & Tex Logan, Jersey Travelers, and others.

11 Jul 1986 - Renfro Valley, KY (40 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Friday (11 Jul) at the '2nd Annual Old Joe Clark Bluegrass Festival' in Renfro Valley, Kentucky. The band were scheduled to appear at 4:30pm and 8:30pm.

The festival itself ran from 10-12 July, and other acts included: Osborne Bros., Lewis Family, Raymond Fairchild, Old Joe Clark & Son, Outdoor Plumbing Co., Cummins Sisters, Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Kentucky Gentlemen, Moore Bros., Blades Of Grass with Jimmy Sizemore, and others.

11 Jul 1987 - Gaston, IN (39 years ago)

Ralph appeared on Saturday (11 Jul) at th 9th Annual Bluegrass Festival at Gaston Lions Club Park, Gaston, Indiana.

The festival itself ran from 10-12 July and other acts included: Jim Simpson & Kentucky Mountain Grass, Ed Hamilton & Bluegrass, Moore Bros., Redwing, Denham's Bluegrass, Ray Scalf & the Clay County Travelers, Pine Mountain, and Elvis Whitaker & the Grass Pickers..

11 Jul 1992 - Lawrenceburg, TN (34 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (11 Jul) at the '4th Bluegrass plus Festival' in Dixieland Park & Campground, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

The festival itself ran from 10-11 July and other acts included: Good Bad & Ugly, Churchmen, Dixieland Partners Bluegrass, Curtis Benson & the Borderline Band, Gloria Belle & the Tennesee Sunshine, and the Sheriff of Gandy Switch.

11 Jul 1997 - Kingsdale, PA (29 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Friday (11 Jul) at the 'Kingsdale Bluegrass Music Festival' in Kingsdale, Pennsylvania.

The festival itself ran from 10-12 July and other acts included: Larry Sparks, David Parmley - Scott Vestal & Continental Divide, Warrior River Boys, Keystone Bluegrass, Vern Young, Carroll County Ramblers, Dean Sapp & Harford Express, Pen-Del Mountain Boys, Glad Valley Travelers, and Dyer Switch.

11 - 12 Jul 1998 - Advance, NC (28 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing (at some point between 11-12 Jul) at the '18th Annual Denton Bluegrass Festival', at Thousand Trails Forest Lake Preserve, Advance, North Carolina.

The festival itself ran from 9-12 July and other acts included: Seldom Scene, James King, Long & Parduc Band, IIIrd Tyme Out, Country Gentlemen, Lonesome River Band, Del McCoury, Tony - Larry & Wyatt Rice, and Continental Divide.

10 - 11 Jul 1999 - Advance, NC (27 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing (sometime between 10-11 Jul) at the '19th Annual Denton Bluegrass Festival' at Thousand Trails Forest Lake Preserve in Advance, North Carolina.

The festival itself ran from 8-11 July and other acts included: Little Ryan Holladay, Five For The Gospel, Mountain Heart, Valerie Smith, Lynn Morris, Claire Lynch, Pam Gadd, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Ricky Skaggs with Ralph Stanley II, IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Del McCoury, Blue Highway, Tony Rice & Rickie Simpkins, JD Crowe, JD Crowe reunion with Ricky, Tony & Ricky Wasson, and Continental Divide.

11 Jul 2004 - Onamia, MN (22 years ago)

Ralph appeared on Sunday (11 Jul) at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events & Convention Center, Onamia, Minnesota. The band were scheduled to perform at 5 and 8pm with Becky Schlegel as support. Tickets cost $12 & $19.

The show was held in conjunction with "2nd Annual Bluegrass & Arts and Crafts Festival", which ran from 10-11 July and included free performances by: Blue Highway, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Pop Wagner & the Honky Tonk Aces, King Wilkie, and others.

11 Jul 2009 - Westminster, MD (17 years ago)

Ralph was listed as appearing on Saturday (11 Jul) at Common Ground on the Hill, Westminster, Maryland.

The event itself ran from 11-12 July and other acts included: Tim O'Brien, Santa Cruz River Band, Footworks, Walt Michael & Co., Eastman String Band, Port Right, and Suzanne & Jim.

11 Jul 2013 - Nashville, TN (13 years ago)

Ralph had a show with Jim Lauderdale at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee. Tickets cost $27.50.

11 Jul 2014 - Chicago, IL (12 years ago)

Ralph had a show at the City Winery, Chicago, Illinois. Also on the bill were Town Mountain. Tickets cost $35 - $45.



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CMB Birthdays this month:

01 Jul 1954 - Keith Whitley. Born 'Jackie Keith Whitley' in Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky.

10 Jul 1970 - Mitchell Van Dyke. Born in Grundy, Virgina.

14 Jul 1950 - Troy 'Renfro' Profitt. Born 'Troy Lynn Profitt' in Richlands, Tazewell County, Virginia.

18 Jul 1954 - Ricky Skaggs. Born 'Ricky Lee Skaggs' in Louisa, Kentucky.


In Memoriam:

06 Jul 1974 - Bobby Sumner. Perry, Kentucky.

08 Jul 2010 - Doug Morris.

09 Jul 2003 - Johnnie Bonds. Live Oak, Florida.

13 Jul 2010 - Cullen Galyean. Mount Airy, Surry County, NC

25 Jul 2019 - Troy 'Renfro' Profitt. Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky.

29 Jul 2016 - Melvin Goins. Sturgeon Falls, Nipissing, Ontario, Canada.


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

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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