Mountain Sounds from Ralph Stanley II

The sounds of banjos and fiddles have kept my heart singing since childhood. From jam sessions to stage shows entertaining thousands, America’s music has charmed people around the world. One of the greatest stalwarts to forge the genre was the late Dr. Ralph Stanley, who I had the great honor to perform and record with. His son Ralph Stanley II continues the musical legacy with the Clinch Mountain Boys. He will welcome fans from around the world to the 50th Anniversary Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival in McClure, Va. May 25 through 28, 2022. I have been blessed to entertain there and it is a wonderful setting to hear bluegrass played the way it should be.
“The festival is always exciting because it’s held at the home place of the Stanley Brothers,” Ralph II said. “Being the 50^th and having Ricky Skaggs returning makes it very special. He is the last of the original Clinch Mountain Boys that was there for the first festival appearing with dad, Jack Cook, Roy Lee Centers, Keith Whitley, and Curly Ray Cline.
“We want everybody to come out and enjoy the festival and help us keep it growing,” he said.
I spoke with the Grammy winning artist as he was doing performances in Florida. He is sharing songs from his latest albums “Lord Help Me Find the Way” and their self-titled album. Ralph has enjoyed three #1 songs in his career including “Beautiful Hills of Home”
“This is our 75^th Anniversary Tour of the Clinch Mountain Boys and we are keeping it going on down the line,” he said. “We keep it true to where it began with the Stanley Brothers but I have more of a country feel to my vocals.”
He shared his vocal sound may reflect what the band might have had with his late uncle Carter at the helm without his dad.
In addition to Ralph, the Clinch Mountain Boys, currently includes banjoist Landon Fitzpatrick, fiddler Stanley Efaw, Caleb Shifflett on guitar and Randall Hibbitts on bass. To check out his latest music or other upcoming events, visit Ralph2.com .
“I think Bluegrass will always be around. I don’t think it will ever die,” he said. “As folks get older they go back to their roots and often that’s the music that they want hear.”
The week at McClure, Virginia features a who’s who in bluegrass with performances by Stanley, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Little Roy & Lizzy Show, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys, the Larry Stephenson Band, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers and many more. Weekly passes are $130. Most day tickets are $35 with Saturday being $40. Kids 12 and under are free. College students with college I.D. receive a 20% discount.
If you can make the trip to participate in this historic festival, visit drralphstanleyfestival.com to find out more.