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December 2021 Issue

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The Tradition

George Shuffler

By Dan Miller

Bluegrass Innovator Seventy-five years ago the Stanley Brothers developed a distinctive sound in country music…

Promotional photo that Roy believed was made at Bullet Park in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Kneeling, from left to right: Ray “Pickles” Lambert and Gaines Blevins. Standing, left to right: Pee Wee Lambert, Roy Sykes, Carter Stanley, and Jack Belcher, ca. early 1946. Photo courtesy of Roy “Scooter” Sykes, Jr.

Roy Sykes

By Gary Reid

Bluegrass  Incubator Many times, people who are known as but a footnote in history actually…

The Artists

Don Rigsby Stands Alone

By Bill Conger

Bluegrass veteran Don Rigsby’s reputation speaks for itself. The award-winning musician has been a member…

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Ralph Stanley and Ralph Stanley II at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival in 1999. Photo by Jeromie B. Stephens

Ralph Stanley II Shares Stories of his Dad and Uncle Including a Sign From Beyond the Grave  

By Derek Halsey

It was a dramatic moment when Larry Sparks walked onto the stage at Ralph Stanley’s…

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The Sound

Bessie Mauldin, Bill Monroe, and Carter Stanley. Photo by Ann L Streeter

Story Behind the Song Wild Bill Jones

By Casey L. Penn

Any tribute to The Stanley Brothers calls for an inside look at a favorite Stanley…

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Ralph  Stanley and the Whisnant Eagle Banjo

By Chris Smith

Photos by Jamie Alexander For many of us, the first-generation bluegrass pioneers were the link…

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Tyler White Mandolins

By David McCarty

Photos by Bud Osborne  DSecades ago, someone approached me at Bean Blossom and asked for…

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The Venue

Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center

By Bill Conger

Photos Courtesy of Ralph Stanley Museum Nestled in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains about eight miles…

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The original festival stage. // Photo by John Lee

The Dr. Ralph Stanley 

By Dan Miller

Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival The Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Memorial Day Weekend…

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Flipbook

Reviews

Roots
Americanaland: Where Country & Western Met Rock ‘n Roll 
East Nash Grass 
Hell on Church Street
Make Each Second Last
Starry Southern Nights
Bluegrass Pickin’ and Singin’
The Next Mountain
Renewal
Ramble in Music City
Day by Day
Playin’ in this Town 
Till The End Of The Road