Dr. Ralph has been playing 3 finger style since 1947.. unfortunately he broke his arm a few years back, and hasn't been able to do anything but frailing (clawhammer) style since.... Had the peasure of seeing Dr. Stanley live a couple years ago (even got his autograph) He is a great man, and a great musician.
AND he is very approachable. As long as 1)You don't smoke around hm(he's not anti-backy, just messes with him personally and he asks everyone refrain) 2)You clap during the chorus of Tenn Stud (he says the other clappin' throws him off a bit). WNCW 88.7 out of Spindale, NC keeps alot of that music alive. (Don't know if you get them on the web or not). Not just old-tymey ofcourse, BUT definately help keep the tradiition going WITHOUT catering to the Luddittes (anti-progressives) in the crowd.
The best music comes out of those hills in Eastern Tenn, SW Virginia, and Western North Carolina. Both Doc and Ralph were born about the same time as my mother not much more than 100 miles apart.into the same kind of poor, but didn't realize it as children, families. When I was growing up, there used to be this blind man come play once in awhile down at "The Trade Lot" in Marion, NC. It was a much younger "Doc". He got popular after that and didn't have to sing for his supper quite as much.
@JoeyRace01 double c. gcgcd
7johnnyreb 2 months ago
I tried playin' the song along with him, but he's not in standard banjo gDGBD tuning, can any one tell me what tuning he's in.....?
JoeyRace01 7 months ago
Aww man! What a pair! Awesome!
tk421jag 9 months ago
Dr. Ralph has been playing 3 finger style since 1947.. unfortunately he broke his arm a few years back, and hasn't been able to do anything but frailing (clawhammer) style since.... Had the peasure of seeing Dr. Stanley live a couple years ago (even got his autograph) He is a great man, and a great musician.
drunknmonky77 1 year ago
nobody picks like the doc.....
IBG67 2 years ago
AND he is very approachable. As long as 1)You don't smoke around hm(he's not anti-backy, just messes with him personally and he asks everyone refrain) 2)You clap during the chorus of Tenn Stud (he says the other clappin' throws him off a bit). WNCW 88.7 out of Spindale, NC keeps alot of that music alive. (Don't know if you get them on the web or not). Not just old-tymey ofcourse, BUT definately help keep the tradiition going WITHOUT catering to the Luddittes (anti-progressives) in the crowd.
PappyCaligula 2 years ago
I know thats right! Doc has been the man for quite a while.
nasty5oh 2 years ago
The best music comes out of those hills in Eastern Tenn, SW Virginia, and Western North Carolina. Both Doc and Ralph were born about the same time as my mother not much more than 100 miles apart.into the same kind of poor, but didn't realize it as children, families. When I was growing up, there used to be this blind man come play once in awhile down at "The Trade Lot" in Marion, NC. It was a much younger "Doc". He got popular after that and didn't have to sing for his supper quite as much.
PappyCaligula 2 years ago
Who doens't love merlefest ?
nasty5oh 2 years ago
I'm seeing him tomorrow!
SirCoughsalot 2 years ago