Ralph Stanley, one of the pioneers of bluegrass banjo, comes from a musical family with a long and rich tradition rooted in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. He is a powerful and compelling singer as well as an innovative instrumentalist whose music has remained vital throughout four-and-a-half decades of performing and recording, first with his late brother Carter and then as leader of the Clinch Mountain Boys.

A recipient of numerous awards, Ralph was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1992. He holds the Living Legend award from the Library of Congress and was the first recipient of the Traditional American Music award from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He gained renewed fame for his powerful appearance in the hit film and album "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and the subsequent Down From The Mountain Tour.