Centrum partner Seattle Theatre Group (STG) will present Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys on Saturday, October 18, at 7:30 pm at the Moore Theater in Seattle.
And, although Ralph Stanley needs no introduction, we’ll go ahead and give him one anyway.
Ralph Edmond Stanley was born, grew up, and lives today in rural southwestern Virginia, in a little town called McClure at a place called Big Spraddle. Growing up, Ralph would listen to his father singing songs like "Man of Constant Sorrow," "Pretty Polly" and "Omie Wise."
He got his first banjoy as a teenager, bought from his aunt for $5 ("Which back then was probably like $5,000," Stanley says.) His parents owned a small store, and his aunt took the payment out in groceries.
Ralph was born in Dickenson County, Virginia, where he still resides when he’s not on the road. After 55 years in the business, he’s still the best banjo picker and tenor singer in bluegrass music. As a recording artist, he has performed on more than 170 albums, tapes, and CDs. He won a Grammy Award in 2002.
But the success hasn’t led him away from his roots. In addition to the many honors Ralph has received as a bluegrass musician, including membership on the Grand Ole Opry, he remains active in his local community; indeed, he sees his music as only one part of his life. Ralph is married to Jimmi Stanley, and they have three children: Lisa, Tonya, and Ralph II.
The Clinch Mountain Boys currently live in scattered communities in the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. They meet up in Coeburn, where their tour bus is parked and head out on the road. Their typical work week starts on Wednesday or Thursday and wraps up on Sunday, when they normally head in home for a couple days of well-deserved rest before starting out all over again.
The Seattle Theater Group is the non-profit arts organization that operates The Historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in downtown Seattle. STG’s mission is to make diverse dance, music, film, theatre and arts education an integral part of our rich cultural identity while keeping Seattle’s historic Paramount and Moore Theatres alive and vibrant.
In August, 2010, STG and Centrum will co-present Dance This! at Fort Worden State Park, a residential opportunity for young dancers to learn and perform diverse dance styles from around the world.
Tickets are $33.00 or $23.00, not including applicable fees. Tickets are available Friday, August 22, at 10:00 am at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the Moore Theatre box office, or online at www.TheMoore.com.