Dr. Ralph Stanley Dies

[cosworth151]

The world has just lost a truly great musician. Dr. Ralph Stanley has died at the age of 89.

To many, he is best known for his work on the soundtrack of the Cohen brothers film "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" He performed an acapella version of the Appalachian dirge "Oh, Death." The film also used a cover version of a 1950 recording by Stanley & his brother Carter Stanley. That song, "I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow," became a major hit.

He recorded with Carter as The Stanley Brothers Band until Carter's death in 1966. After that, Dr. Ralph formed his own band, The Clinch Mountain Boys.

Some of you know that I'm an Appalachian and a bluegrass mandolin player. Dr. Ralph has always been a favorite of mine.

R.I.P., Dr. Ralph.

Here's a recording of them playing a song I played with some friends Wednesday night. Yes, I did pick one with a mando lead: