Clinch Mountain Echo

CMB Birthdays this month:

06 Jun 1931 - Charlie Cline. Baisden, Mingo County, West Virginia.

13 Jun 1930 - Curley Lambert. Born 'Richard Edward Lambert' in Meherrin, Brunswick, Virginia.

14 Jun 1971 - Ernie Thacker. Born 'Ernest Charles Thacker' in Ohio.

21 Jun 1964 - James Price. Born 'James Dean Price' in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

26 Jun 1934 - Frank Wakefield. Born 'Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield' in Emory Gap, Tennessee.


In Memoriam:

03 Jun 2014 - James Alan Shelton. Kingsport, Tennessee.

23 Jun 2016 - Ralph Stanley. Coeburn, Wise, Virginia.

23 Jun 1971 - Lindy Clear. Abingdon, Washington, Virginia.

25 Jun 1965 - Darrell 'Pee Wee' Lambert. Columbus, Franklin, Ohio.


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

Ralph II ralph2.com



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Clinch Mountain Echo

Pic. of the Day

Photo: Bill Monroe & Ralph Stanley. Photo possibly by Doc Hamilton.


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 Funeral details 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...

Ralph Stanley II
28 Jun - 02 Jul 2011 - Conway, MO (15 years ago)

Ralph II was listed as appearing (at some point) at the 'Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival' at Starvy Creek Park, Conway, Missouri.

The festival itself ran from 30 June to 2 July and other acts included: Doyle Lawson, IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Stephenson, Junior Sisk, Donna Ulisse, Link Family, Redhead Express, Mona Jones, Bluegrass Thoroughbred, Punches Family, Audie Blaylock, and Nothin' Fancy.

28 Jun 2014 - Big Island, VA (12 years ago)

Ralph II appeared on Saturday (28 Jun) at the "'Doc' McCabe Memorial Bluegrass at Sedalia Festival", Sedalia Center, Big Island, Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 26-28 June and other acts included: Grasstowne, In The Tradition, Acoustic Endeavors, Tony Holt & Wildwood Valley Boys, New Standard, Clearwater Branch, and Wound Tight.

Ralph Stanley
28 Jun 1970 - Columbus, OH (56 years ago)

Ralph appeared at the 'Big Blue Grass Show' at Frontier Ranch, 15 miles East Columbus, Ohio. The Sunday event ran from 11am until late and other acts included: Bill Monroe, Osborne Bros., Jim & Jesse, Reno-Harrell, Frank Necessary & Stone Mountain Boys, and Goins Bros.

28 - 30 Jun 1974 - Charlotte, MI (52 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing at the 'Mid-Michigan 2nd Annual Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival' at the Fairgrounds in Charlotte, along with: Jim & Jesse, Mac Wiseman, and the McLain Family. Other acts also included: Curly Ann & the Sounds of the South, Pine River Valley Boys, Back Porch Bluegrass, Rim-Fire Ramblers, Round Mountain Boys, and Asa Martin.

27 - 28 Jun 1975 - Charlotte, MI (51 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on all three days at the '3rd Annual Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival', held at the Fairgrounds, Charlotte, Michigan. Around 4,500 people attended the event.

Other acts at the festival included: Jim & Jesse, James Monroe, McLain Family, Larry Sparks, Charlie Moore, RFD Boys, Cathy Ann & Sound Of The South, Pine River Valley Boys, Wade Mainer, Bluegrass Longdistance, and Miller Bros.

28 Jun 1980 - Elizabethton, TN (46 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (28 Jun) at the '6th Annual Wise County Memorial Bluegrass Festival' at Slagle's Bluegrass Pasture, Elizabethton, Tennessee.

The festival itself ran from 26-28th June and other acts included: Buck White, Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks, O'Roark Bros., Reedy Creek, Wry Straw, Tennessee Bluegrass Four, Seldom Scene, JD Crowe, Doyle Lawson, Katie Laur, Pinnacle Boys, Brickey Bros., Uncut Grass, Front Porch String Band, Lewis Family, II Generation, East Virginia, Heights Of Grass, Dry Branch Fire Squad, and Dominion Bluegrass Boys.

28 Jun 1981 - Columbus, OH (45 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing at the '12th Annual Mid-Ohio Bluegrass Festival' at Frontier Ranch, Columbus, Ohio.

The event ran from the 27-28 June, with talent contests etc on the Saturday and headline acts on the Sunday. Other acts included: Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, Lewis Family, Jim & Jesse, Doyle Lawson, and others.

28 Jun 1984 - Elizabethton, TN (42 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Thursday (28 Jun) at the '12th Annual Bluegrass Festival' at Slagle's Bluegrass Pasture, Elizabethton, Tennessee.

The festival itself ran from 28-30 June and other acts included: Rocky Top Grass, Blue Grass Gospel Sounds, Snake In The Grass, Country Gentlemen, Doyle Lawson, Lincoln County Partners, Hardtimes, Raymond Fairchild, Orvil Rice Blue Ridge Mountain Boys, Boone Blue Grass Band, Jim & Jesse, Singing Cookes, Brickey Bros., Stevens Family, New Coon Creek Girls, and Kingsport Kountry Kloggers.

27 - 28 Jun 1985 - Elizabethton, TN (41 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Thursday / Friday (27-28 Jun) at the '13th Annual Bluegrass Festival' at Slagle's Bluegrass Pasture, Elizabethton, Tennessee.

The festival itself ran from 27-29 June and other acts included: Sage Grass, Kentucky Ramblers, Lost & Found, Jimmy Martin, Robin Tackett Show, Snake In The Grass, Brickey Brothers, Bluegrass Thoroughbreds, Duane Wilder & Bluegrass Gospel, Jim & Jesse, Curley Seckler & Nashville Grass, Stevens Family, Lincoln County Partners, Del McCoury, AL Wood & the Smokey Ridge Boys, Kentucky Ramblers, and Kingsport Kountry Kloggers.

28 Jun 1986 - Columbus, OH (40 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (28 Jun) at the '17th Annual Bluegrass Classic' festival at Frontier Ranch, Columbus, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 27-29 June and other acts included: Bill Monroe, Bluegrass Album Band, Osborne Bros., Lewis Family, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, Hot Rize, JD Crowe, Jim & Jesse, Boys From Indiana, Country Gentlemen, Bluegrass Cardinals, Raymond Fairchild, Paul Mullins & Traditional Grass, Redwing, Darrel Adkins & Silver Wind, and Virginia Squires.

28 Jun 1987 - Summersville, WV (39 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Sunday (28 Jun) at the 'Bluegrass - Country Music Festival (In The Mountains)' at Summersville Music Park, Summersville, West Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 26-28 June and other acts included: Lewis Family, Charlie Louvin, Johnson Mountain Boys, Sally Mountain Show, Bill Harrell, Raymond Fairchild, Patent Pending, Kenny Baker - Josh Graves, Warrior River Boys, Jim & Jesse, Doyle Lawson, Bluegrass Cardinals, Bill Monroe, Osborne Bros., The Whites, Goins Bros., Carroll County Ramblers, Footsteps of Tradition, Wildwood Pickers, Joe Dobbs & Family, A.G. & Kate, JD Crowe, and others.

23 - 28 Jun 1992 - Canton, TX (34 years ago)

Ralph was listed as appearing (at some point) at Garland's '5th Annual Texas State Bluegrass Festival' at First Monday trade Days, Canton, Texas.

The festival itself ran from 23-28 June and other acts included: Bill Monroe, Jim & Jesse, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Davis, Osborne Bros., Lewis Family, Larry Stephenson, Sally Mountain Show, Bluegrass Thoroughbreds, Bill Grant & Delia Bell, Sullivan Family, Sand Mountain Boys, Doyle Lawson, Tennessee Gentlemen, Raymond Fairchild, Coleman Bros., Second Time Around, Wildwood Girls, Paul Adkins, Chubby Wise, Lonnie Glosson, Larry Sparks, Lynn Morris Band, IIIrd Tyme Out, Holly Bond, Shady Grove Rambers, and Southern Rose.

25 - 28 Jun 1992 - Charlotte, MI (34 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing (at some point) at the '20th Annual Charlotte Bluegrass Festival' in Charlotte,, Michigan.

The festival itself ran from 25-28 June and other acts included: Bill Monroe, Lewis Family, Charlie Louvin - Charles Whitstein, Warrior River Boys, Delia Bell & Bill Grant, Marksmen, Charlie Sizemore, Jake Landers Band, Randall Hylton, Wade & Julia Mainer, and others.

28 Jun 1992 - Summersville, WV (34 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Sunday (28 Jun) at the 'Music In The Mountains' festival in Summersville Music Park, Summersville, West Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 25-28 June and other acts included: Bill Monroe, Osborne Bros., Lewis Family, Alison Krauss, Doyle Lawson, Jim & Jesse, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Lincoln County Partners, Blue Stone Bluegrass, Whitstein Bros., Country Gentlemen, Appalachian Express, Black Diamond Bluegrass Boys, Larry Stephenson, Hart Bros., Jones Bros. & Log Cabin Boys, Sally Mountain Show, Johnson Mountain Boys, Eddie Adcock Band, Reno Bros., Timberline, Northcoast Bluegrass, Laurie Lewis & Grant Street, Portner Wagoner & the Right Combination, Bluegrass Cardinals, New Dominion Bluegrass, Bass Mountain Boys, Stevens Family, Kenny Baker & Josh Graves, Goins Bros., Bill Mounce & the Outlaws, Bluegrass Strangers, Little Jimmy Dickens, Mac Wiseman, Bobby Smith & Boys From Shiloh, Redwing, Larry Sparks, Everett Lilly & Clear Creek Crossin', Raymond Fairchild, Del McCoury, Paul 'Moon' Mullins & the Traditional Grass, Boys From Indiana, Nashville Grass, Bluegrass Connection, and Chubby Wise.

28 Jun 1997 - Norwalk, OH (29 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Saturday (28 Jun) at the 'Maple City Bluegrass Festival' at Huron County Fairgrounds, Norwalk, Ohio.

The festival itself ran from 27-28 June and was co-sponsored by WKFM K Country 96, so parts may have been broadcast on the radio. Other acts included: Jimmy Martin, Larry Sparks, Dave Evans, Bluegrass Strangers, Tony Hickman & Harbourtown, East Ohio Grass, Blackwater Run, and North Coast Bluegrass.

28 Jun 1998 - Summersville, WV (28 years ago)

Ralph was billed as appearing on Sunday (28 Jun) at the 'Music In The Mountains: Bluegrass - Country Music' at Summersville Music Park, Summersville, West Virginia.

The festival itself ran from 25-28 June and other acts included: Ricky Skaggs, IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Sparks, Country Gentlemen, Lonesome River Band, Lynn Morris, Goins Bros., Stevens Family, Lewis Family, Hart Bros., Laurel Canyon Ramblers, Freedy Clark Family, Kenny Baker & Josh Graves, Goldwing Express, Raymond Fairchild, JD Crowe, Bluegrass Mountaineers, David Parmley - Scott Vestal & Continental Divide, Osborne Bros., Country Current, Rarely Herd, Jim & Jesse, Reno Bros., Front Range, Blue Highway, Isaacs, Larkin Family, Seldom Scene, Del McCoury, Schankman Twins, Redwing, Doyle Lawson, James King, Larry Stephenson, Blueridge, Charlie Sizemore, Gary Waldrep Band, and others.

28 Jun 2002 - Buffalo, NY (24 years ago)

Ralph was listed as appearing as part of the 'Down From The Mountain' tour at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, New York. Other acts included: Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski, Norman Blake, and Nashville Bluegrass Band.

28 Jun 2003 - Headwaters: Real Stories From Rural America (23 years ago)

An episode of the TV show "Headwaters: Real Stories From Rural America" featured a profile of Ralph. It was aired on Channel 49 and listed in Indiana newspapers.



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CMB Birthdays this month:

06 Jun 1931 - Charlie Cline. Baisden, Mingo County, West Virginia.

13 Jun 1930 - Curley Lambert. Born 'Richard Edward Lambert' in Meherrin, Brunswick, Virginia.

14 Jun 1971 - Ernie Thacker. Born 'Ernest Charles Thacker' in Ohio.

21 Jun 1964 - James Price. Born 'James Dean Price' in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

26 Jun 1934 - Frank Wakefield. Born 'Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield' in Emory Gap, Tennessee.


In Memoriam:

03 Jun 2014 - James Alan Shelton. Kingsport, Tennessee.

23 Jun 2016 - Ralph Stanley. Coeburn, Wise, Virginia.

23 Jun 1971 - Lindy Clear. Abingdon, Washington, Virginia.

25 Jun 1965 - Darrell 'Pee Wee' Lambert. Columbus, Franklin, Ohio.


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

Ralph II ralph2.com


Spotlight on:-

16 Greatest Hits
(Gusto SD-3003)


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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
rebelrecords.com

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Bluegrass Unlimited
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