Ralph was born on this day, in 1927, in Stratton Virginia.  He and his older brother Carter formed the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys.  They began broadcasting from radio station WCYB in Bristol, Virginia, in 1946.  Ralph was taught the claw-hammer style of banjo picking by his mother, and popularized the method in subsequent years.  The duo recorded for Columbia Records from 1949 until 1952.  They later recorded for Mercury, Starday and King, and rivaled Bill Monroe as a leading bluegrass act.  Ralph carried on after Carter died in December of 1966.  Just recently, Ralph made a monumental contribution to the soundtrack of “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.”  His recordings may still be heard frequently here on TCM Radio, Bluegrass Channel.

Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News