Rolling Stone calls him "a master performer without an expiration date." Richmond.com calls him "our favorite Good Ole Boy."
This afternoon, May 10, The Science Museum of Virginia will be holding the CitySlickers Bluegrass Festival and the honorable Dr. Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys will be the headliners for this grand ol' shindig. Recently named 2008 Outstanding Virginian of the Year, the 81-year-old Stanley ain't slowing down any time soon.
"I've become much stronger," chuckled Stanley during a recent interview with Richmond.com. "I'm stronger now than ever. I played the part in this film, 'O Brother Where Art Thou?,' that really doubled my fans and my crowds. It just put the icing on the cake for me."
With many awards on a shelf at his home in mountainous southwestern Virginia and just as many notches on his belt for respect, this old man won't stop picking until he's done kicking.
Stanley is renowned for his banjo expertise, timeless vocals and certified bluegrass music writing. Appearing on more than 170 separate albums as a guest and performing in more than 150 shows each year, it's a wonder how he manages to make it home every Sunday to his wife Jimmi.
Ralph and his late great older brother Carter Stanley formed the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys over 60 years ago and rivaled such bluegrass greats as Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. When Carter died, Ralph took on the torch and steered the music's navigation even further back to an older root of Appalachia folk, which is said to be the sad, oppressive, original style of when the Irish and Celt's brought the old time music to America.
In regards to the composition of his shows' audience, Stanley is surprised at how bluegrass has become a fountain of youth for a family in today's day and time.
"Well, I've been having all different sorts of people [including] a whole lot of younger fans. I'm more in the band and popular than I ever was," Stanley said with a note of vigorous merriment.
Since then, he and the Boys have taken on such credits winning the 2002 Grammy for Best Country Male Vocalist Performance and Album Of the Year for his contribution to O Brother, Where Art Thou?. A year later, they took home the 2003 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
To top the list of accolades, Stanley was the first of the new millennium to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry back in 2000 and in 2006 was presented the National Medal of Arts by President George Bush.
Despite all the grandiose awards and medals, Stanley remains a humble man and still claims that his most precious achievement is his doctorate in music from Lincoln Memorial University, hence the "Dr." title.
"Yeah, that was one of my firsts," he said. "I took my band to Lincoln Memorial and taught the style of "old Stanley style" -- that's what I call it -- that we play and after about six weeks they made me an honorary doctorate."
This weekend, as far as the set list is concerned, you can expect to hear famous tunes such as Man Of Constant Sorrow, Pretty Polly and Little Maggie.
"We try to do a variety, some instrumentals, some love songs, some slow numbers and some gospel numbers," he said. "We do our best to please everyone, whether it's a 6-year-old or a 90-year-old."
Along with the master of quick licked shuffle classics and legendary bluegrass love songs, there will also be some "newgrass" rookies, as they might be referred to by the veterans. The Jackass Flats and Special Ed and the Short Bus will be the opening bands performing at the festival.
The Richmond Rotary Club is fostering the entire event and all proceeds from the show will go towards its Rotary community projects.
Along with the tunes, there will be a children's area so parents can dance a jig and not worry about stepping on any little ones. Also, expect plenty of great food and cold beverages. There will be craft vendors of all sorts so, if ya rekon ya wanna getcha a dulcimer or a sure perdy plaid vest, bring some cash.
Rain or shine, gates open at 2:30 p.m. for the CitySlickers Bluegrass Festival and the first band will go on at 3 p.m. However, Ralph says even when it rains, "a good dedicated fan will stay right there." Tickets are $10 in advance through all Plan 9 Music locations, online at Music Today at http://cityslickers.tickets.musictoday.com or by calling 877 –MUSIC-77. All children 12 and under get in for free with a paid adult.