Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Ralph Stanley brings his band to Long's Park

By RORY HESLIN, Staff Writer



The grass at Long's Park got a little bluer Sunday night when Dr. Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys rolled in to the amphitheater.

Stanley and his five-piece bluegrass band came out to a standing ovation from a crowd of more than 6,000.

Famous for winning a Grammy for his contribution to the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, Stanley didn't disappoint by opening the show with "Man of Constant Sorrow."

The band brought a cool breeze in with them and managed to stave off rain clouds that stayed to the north.

Joined on stage by his grandson, Nathan, the rugged 83-year-old Stanley crooned his version of "Amazing Grace" with help from the audience.

"Dr. Stanley is a legend, and we really felt we should have him here," said Stella Sexton, director of the Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation's summer music series.

"He was coming through the area, and his whole band is awesome to work with," she said. "We're lucky to have him."

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