Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
Bands / Ensembles
Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys (1967–2016) was a bluegrass band from southwest Virginia led by banjo player and singer Ralph Stanley. The Clinch Mountain Boys started in November 1946 as the band of the Stanley Brothers, Ralph and his older brother Carter. Carter died on December 1, 1966, and Ralph kept the band name when he carried on alone from 1967. The re-formed band included fiddler Curly Ray Cline, singer and guitarist Larry Sparks, and Melvin Goins. Later members included bassist Jack Cooke, Roy Lee Centers, Charlie Sizemore, James Price, Keith Whitley, and Ricky Skaggs. Ralph's son, Ralph Stanley II, later became the band's lead singer and rhythm guitarist. Ralph Stanley died on June 23, 2016. Ralph II continues to tour as the new leader and name sake of the Clinch Mountain Boys.
In the newsletter
- No. 23 Spring/Summer 2000