Dr. Ralph Stanley

Marion, VA — Legendary bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys launch the 2010 season for the award winning Song of the Mountains concert series at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Friday, January 15th at 7:00 pm. This concert will be taped and offered for national broadcast on Public Television across America. Ralph Stanley’s special guests on the show will be his son, Ralph Stanley II, the Darrell Webb Band, the Blu-Js and the comedy of Phil Campbell who is the son of the late Archie Campbell.

About Dr. Ralph Stanley

Now 82 years old, Ralph Stanley has been performing professionally since he and his older brother, Carter, formed a band in their native southwestern Virginia in 1946. Between that date and 1966, when Carter died, the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys became one of the most celebrated bluegrass groups in the world, rivaling in popularity such titans as Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs.

After Carter’s death, Stanley shifted the band’s musical emphasis from hard-driving bluegrass to an older, sadder, less adorned mountain style. As a bandleader, he nourished such young and promising talents as Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Larry Sparks and Charlie Sizemore, all of whom eventually graduated to distinguished solo careers.

In January 2000, Stanley became the first artist of the new millennium to be inducted into the historic Grand Ole Opry. 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. One of his proudest achievements is the honorary doctorate in music Lincoln Memorial University conferred on him in 1976. In addition to all these honors, Stanley was chosen to be the closing act for the 2002 Down From The Mountain Tour, a sold-out series of concerts inspired by the success of the O Brother album.

Darrell Webb

Jerry Butler & the Blu-Js

About Phil Campbell

Phil Campbell comes by it honestly, his love for the entertainment business. After all, he was born right into the middle of it. Phil, the son of the legendary Archie Campbell was drawn to the stage early on. Phil worked on stage with his famous father in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and his experiences varied from working as Archie’s “straight man” on the Grand Ole Opry to international tours with the USO, some work in the movies, and even as front man for several bands. Phil says. “I do clean country comedy, and I don’t much care to work in places that sell alcohol. It’s just not my thing.” Phil was a cast member of the nationally syndicated “HEE HAW” TV show for four years.

About Darrell Webb

Darrell Webb has been an icon for over 20 years in bluegrass music, performing with the likes of the Lonesome River Band, J.D. Crowe, Rhonda Vincent and lead vocalist and front man for Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. Darrell’s stage presents and ability to entertain a crowd is unmistakable. One of his greatest attributes is being humble to the fans that support him and his talents are admired throughout the bluegrass community. Darrell has been blessed, not only with talent, but multiple opportunities to play venues that artists dream of playing, including, the Grand Ole Opry and The Ryman Auditorium. One of his top honors was recording, playing and singing with Dolly Parton. With a friendly smile and eager young talent surrounding him, the Darrell Webb Band is on the way to become one of the best bluegrass bands of this era.

About Jerry Butler & the Blu-Js

Jerry Butler and John Wade have both played bluegrass and country music since an early age. Their musical ideas automatic between them which is evident in their music and their new band, The Blu-Js. The Blu-Js have been entertaining audiences since March of 2009 and are based in Knoxville, Tennessee with members from North Carolina and Virginia. Jerry Butler, John Wade, Jason Fraley and Tim Goins bring both traditional bluegrass and classic country songs with a twist of their own style.

About Song of the Mountains

Song of the Mountains features bluegrass, old time, Celtic and Americana Music and is currently airing on over 170 Public Television outlets across the United States. The series is hosted by Tim White. Reserved tickets for the concert at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, January 15th are $25. Tickets may be purchased at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office in Marion, VA or online at www.songofthemountains.org. The concert begins at 7:00 pm. For information or tickets by phone call 276-783-6093.

Song of the Mountains is underwritten for public television by the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, Mountain States Health Alliance www.msha.com, GrahamFest www.grahamfestusa.com, Bryant Label Co. of Blountville, TN, TEDS, the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, VA, Deering Banjos, the Carter Family Fold, The Bank of Marion, Alpha Natural Resources, and Emory & Henry College. Special support from Marion, and Smyth County, VA.

Memberships and Song of the Mountains merchandise are available at the website and your purchases help support the concert series.

Song of the Mountains / The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization.

Related Links

• Song of the Mountains
• Dr. Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
• Darrell Webb
• Jerry Butler & the Blu-Js