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Ralph Stanley, born in 1927 in the Clinch Mountains of southwestern Virginia, along with his late brother Carter, is one of Bluegrass music's pioneers. Their father, Lee Stanley, was a noted singer, but, as children, the boys learned a capella singing, guitar playing, and claw-hammer-style banjo playing from their mother, Lucy. Initially the boys sang at church and family functions but before long, with two school friends, they formed the Lazy Ramblers and were playing local venues.
In 1946, Ralph and Carter formed the Stanley Brothers, played on local radio stations in and around Bristol, Virginia, and were soon in demand for appearances throughout the area. The first 'big break' for the brothers was a job at the powerful station WCYB in Bristol, Virginia, where they became instant stars. They worked there for 12 years, remaining popular through most of the 1950s, until a prolonged slack period, brought on in part by the advent of Elvis and rock-and-roll, led to some lean years for the duo. With the arrival of the 1960s and the folk music 'craze,' however, the Stanley Brothers made a comeback, playing to sold-out shows on the college campus circuit. In 1966 Carter died of cancer and, Ralph, as a tribute to his brother, has maintained the same sound, feeling, and spirit of the Stanley Brothers.
Many, many musicians have been influenced by Ralph’s music and some, like Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks, and the late Keith Whitley, were mentored as members of Ralph’s band, the Clinch Mountain Boys. Country music star Junior Brown describes, the impact Ralph has had on other musicians: "His voice has a lot of character, a lot of personality….It's what country music, bluegrass music, whatever you want to call it, is supposed to be about. Not about hot licks, not about fancy songs and this and that. It is about that feeling you can hear when Ralph sings. When I hear Ralph's boys and his banjo, it reminds me of what music is supposed to be all about."
Performing constantly since 1946, Ralph played at the inaugurals for two presidents, was the first recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities' Traditional American Music Award in 1985, and was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Honor, as well as the Grand Ole Opry. In 2003, he received a Lifetime Achievement award by the North American Folk Alliance.
Known for his sharp, tenor voice and banjo picking, Ralph has performed on more than 170 recordings including his chilling 'O Death' on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" film soundtrack. Ralph Stanley is considered by many to be the epitome of "mountain soul.”
At the 2003 Great Lakes Folk Festival, Ralph is accompanied by Jack Cooke (stand-up bass), John Rigsby (mandolin), Ralph Stanley II (guitar), Steve Sparkman (banjo), James Shelton (guitar) and James Price (fiddle).

http://ralphstanley.net
http://drralphstanley.com
http://www.arts.state.va.us/natlheritage.htm#stanley
http://www.cmt.com/art/search/art.bios.jhtml?ai_id=960877
http://www.neonrecords.com/ralph-stanley-bio.htm
http://www.savannahnow.com/diversions/stories/101802/MSCstanley.shtml
http://www.appalshop.org/film/ralph.htm