Articles

DON RIGSBY DOCTOR’S ORDERS: A TRIBUTE TO RALPH STANLEY Rebel Records REB CD 1981 For long-time Don Rigsby fans, the story is oft-told. Though surrounded by many wonderful and soon-to-be famous musicians—from Larry Cordle to Keith Whitley to Ricky Skaggs—while growing up in eastern Kentucky, Rigsby developed a love for the music of Ralph Stanley…

KELLEY NELSO IN THE WAITING Salvation’s Song Music No Number The first question a new listener of Kelley Nelson’s new CD might be, “Who is Kelley Nelson?” After a few minutes, the next question might be, “Why haven’t I heard of Kelley Nelson?” Not far behind will be, “Man, who are those pickers backing her…

SLEEPY MAN BANJO BOYS THE FARTHEST HORIZON No Label No Number At the heart of Sleepy Man Banjo Boys is a phenomenon not new to the world of bluegrass music. Going back to teenage musicians such as J.D. Crowe and Vassar Clements back in the day, and a pre-teen Ricky Skaggs being brought onstage by…

VARIOUS ARTISTS RAY EDWARDS: PORTRAIT OF A BLUEGRASS SONGWRITER Rural Rhythm RR 1106 If this CD release is any indicator, Ray Edwards is a talented and prolific bluegrass songwriter. With help from Silver Stirrup Music co-writers Terry Foust, Dick Minor and especially Larry Joe Cox, Edwards has written/co-written all 12 cuts on this release, which…

JUNIOR SISK & RAMBLERS CHOICE THE STORY OF THE DAY THAT I DIED Rebel Records REB CD-1851 Hot on the heels of IBMA awards for Song Of The Year (“A Far Cry From Lester & Earl”) and Album Of The Year (“Heart Of A Song”) in 2012, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice have cut loose…

LONESOME MELODIES: THE LIVES AND MUSIC OF THE STANLEY BROTHERS—BY DAVID W. JOHNSON—University Press of Mississippi 9781617036460. Hardcover, 304 pp., b&w photos, notes, bibliography, discography, index, $50. (Univ. Press of Miss., 3825 Ridgewood Rd., Jackson, MS 39211, upress.state.ms.us.) Much has been written over the past few years about the life of Ralph Stanley. John Wright…