Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley turned 85 last week.
But you wouldn’t know it by watching and listening to him perform. He’s still a lightning-fast banjo player, and his sweet, high tenor hasn’t lost much of its force over the years.
His career stretches all the way back to 1946, when he formed the first of many Clinch Mountain Boys.
Stanley got a boost at the beginning of the new millennium when he was featured on the hugely popular O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.
He plays the Kent Stage tomorrow. You should go. —Michael Gallucci
This article appears in Feb 29 – Mar 6, 2012.
I love it when guys 1/4 of a century older than me can still make great music and get people to jump around a little and smile. Ralph Stanley is how we are supposed to be–in celebration of life.