Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Ralph Stanley Return to Index Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member With his classic "mountain music," Ralph Stanley has gained recognition in country music by reverting to the simple, unmitigated sounds of bluegrass throughout the decades of his career.  From Ralph's and his brother's first records in 1947 to his work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain soundtracks, Ralph has become a musician known to past and present generations. Background and Early Career Ralph was born in the Clinch Mountains of southwestern Virginia and was taught to play the banjo, clawhammer style, by his mother as he grew up. After serving in the military during World War II, Ralph and his brother Carter formed the Clinch Mountain Boys, a band that saw its first records produced in 1947. Though Carter passed away in 1966, Ralph has kept the Clinch Mountain Boys going with new members from after Carter's death until the present day. Grand Ole Opry Induction Ralph became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in January of 2000. He was the first artist to be inducted for the new millennium. Ralph Stanley at the Grand Ole Opry Even after decades of producing classic bluegrass, Ralph still does more than 150 shows per year, so you'll definitely be able to catch him at the Opry. For dates of upcoming Opry performances, check out our Grand Ole Opry Blog. Notable Hits You Might Hear at the Grand Ole Opry "Riding the Midnight Train" "Stone Walls and Steel Bars" "Think of What You've Done" "Lost Train Blues" "Roanoke" "Cumberland Gap" "Man of Constant Sorrow" "In Heaven We'll Never Grow Old" "Mountain Dew" "He'll Set Your Fields on Fire" "Little Glass of Wine" More Details Because of the honorary Doctorate of Music he received from Lincoln Memorial University in 1976, Ralph is commonly referred to as "Dr. Ralph Stanley." Ralph has developed his own way of playing the banjo. His style originated from the three-finger Scruggs style, but Ralph has added extremely fast "forward rolls" led by the index finger often in the higher registers of the banjo by using the capo. This style has been universally named "Stanley Style." See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!

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Grand Ole Opry Ticket Ordered tix for Opry --sent note with order that I was bringing my 85 year mom and if possible could seats reflect her age. Seats were EXCELLENT. On main floor, aisle seat and right in line with stage. She enjoyed the show and the seats made all the difference since she didn't have to maneuver stairs, etc. Thank you again!!!!!!!! -sharon payne, Hyattsville, MD Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville grand ole opry/gaylord I just returned from my second stay at Gaylord Opryland hotel and seen grand Ole Opry each time I go I always find it harder and harder to leave . The people are so wonderful The day I day I arrived with my friend our bell lady Mary was absolutly wonderful My friend wanted a icee she offered to take us to the mall. The grand Ole Opry we went to the Saturday showand someone sat in front of us we could'nt see so we asked if we could move up they let us. The Hospitality is better then ever I ca'nt wait to come back when we went to the Opry I did not relize Lorrie Morgan was playing anthor one of my favs made my night . I even went online to look at postions in the hotel I'm sersiously thinking of relocating . I recommend this trip to everyone even if your not a country music fan . It is just a warm and friendly atmosphere that you do'nt see this day in age enough .It is truely an experance emotional for me I grew up with all kinds of different music my uncle sings country . So going to Nashville is what i call my own little paradise and everyone there are like visiting family to me miss ya all already hope to see you soon.I did loose my camera that was sad it was'nt so much the camera even though expensive but it was the pics in it and the memories. -tina Breitwisch, Spring Lake Mich Grand Ole Opry Ticket Excellent Quick Easy Accurate. We had hoped for a better seat location. There was no indication of the location of our seats during the selection process. We will call earlier next time I guess. -Gerald Cartmell, Harrison, OH

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