Country Legend Ralph Stanley Coming To Waterside Theatre [Concert Preview]
Country icon Ralph Stanley, the man behind the music of the 2000 film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, just announced his retirement last week, making his upcoming performance this weekend at the historic Waterside Theatre one of the last times you can see him live concert.
Ralph Stanley
After over six decades of performing, Dr. Ralph Stanley has become one of the most influential artists of all time.
In 1946 along with his older brother Carter Stanley they formed the legendary Stanley Brothers duo, who along with the Clinch Mountain Boys became one of the most popular brother acts in Country Music history.
Some of Country and Bluegrass music’s biggest stars came from Ralph Stanley’s band, including Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks, and the late Keith Whitley.
In 1976 Ralph received an honorary doctorate of music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., in 1984 he was the recipient of the National Heritage Award given by President Ronald Reagan, in 1992 he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall Of Honor, and in 2000 Stanley was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and received the Living Legend award from the Library of Congress. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2006
Although well known and respected in music circles, it took a film to popularize his mournful voice with the mass public.
The soundtrack to the Coen Brothers’ classic comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou? became one of the 50 most influential recordings of all time, according to National Public Radio (NPR).
The album went on to sell over 8 million copies and earned Stanley his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
Ocracoke’s own Molasses Creek will open the concert with their high-energy music and phenomenal songwriting, bringing the love of their coastal home to the stage. The band’s elegant harmonies and arrangements, blazing instrumentals, and quirky sense of humor have won loyal followers throughout the United States and around the world.
Molasses Creek’s inspiration arose amidst exotic fig trees and rich tidewater marshes of isolated Ocracoke Island, NC. Only accessible by ferry, Ocracoke is an enchanting step out of modern times into a world of captivating natural beauty, rich maritime history, ghostly shipwrecks, heroic lifesavers, crafty pirates, and a community of 900 independently minded residents.
Award winners from Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, Molasses Creek has recorded 13 albums over the past 20 years. This month, the band’s newest release, An Island Out of Time reached the number 4 spot on the National Folk Radio DJ Charts.
Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys will be live in concert with Molasses Creek at the Waterside Theatre on Roanoke Island this Sunday, July 7.
Doors will open at 6pm, with Molasses Creek starting at 7, and Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys scheduled to take the stage at 8.
This is a rain or shine event.
Tickets are on sale now for $25 and $50 each, and can be purchases in advance at the Waterside Theatre box office or online here.
It was announced on June 27 that Ralph Stanley will officially retire following one last farewell tour later this year.
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