Musician and Songwriter. Ralph Edmond Stanley was born, reared, and lived in rural Southwest Virginia in McClure at a place called Big Spraddle in Dickenson County. He is considered, by many, to be a legend of bluegrass music. He was inducted into both the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor, in 1992, and the Grand Ole Opry in 2000. His work was in the 2000 film ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’, in which he sang ‘O Death’. The Virginia Press Association recognized his as Distinguished Virginian of the Year in 2004. The Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center was opened in 2004. He was also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley after being awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, in 1976. In 2014 he received a second honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Yale University. He was the oldest living member of the Grand Old Opry at the time of his death.
Musician and Songwriter. Ralph Edmond Stanley was born, reared, and lived in rural Southwest Virginia in McClure at a place called Big Spraddle in Dickenson County. He is considered, by many, to be a legend of bluegrass music. He was inducted into both the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor, in 1992, and the Grand Ole Opry in 2000. His work was in the 2000 film ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’, in which he sang ‘O Death’. The Virginia Press Association recognized his as Distinguished Virginian of the Year in 2004. The Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center was opened in 2004. He was also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley after being awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, in 1976. In 2014 he received a second honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Yale University. He was the oldest living member of the Grand Old Opry at the time of his death.
Bio by: Eli Brown
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