Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys return to the Cedar for a special evening of the finest bluegrass music. While he has long been revered by enthusiasts of folk, bluegrass and country music, Stanley has lately been commanding the kind of honors due a musical original.

In 2002, he won Grammys for Best Country Male Vocalist Performance (beating out Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Lyle Lovett and Ryan Adams) and Album of the Year (for his part in the O Brother collection). Last year, he was the subject of an admiring profile in the New Yorker, written by novelist David Gates, who traveled with Stanley for months gathering material. He is the central figure in the D. A. Pennebaker/Chris Hegedus documentary "Down From The Mountain."

In January, 2000, Stanley became the first artist to be inducted into the historic Grand Ole Opry in the new millennium. He holds the Living Legend award from the Library of Congress and was the first recipient of the Traditional American Music award from the National Endowment for the Humanities. One of his proudest achievements is the honorary doctorate in music Lincoln Memorial University conferred on him in 1976. In addition to all these honors, Stanley was chosen to be the closing act for the 2002 Down From The Mountain Tour, a sold-out series of concerts inspired by the success of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? album.

"Well, it's true these awards have been coming pretty fast," says the reticent, plainspoken Stanley, "but I enjoy every one of them." Of his Best Country Male Vocalist Grammy, he notes, "I was a little surprised, but that was the one I really hoped to win. It just felt so good I can't hardly tell you." He acknowledges that there are few major recognitions he still aspires to but adds, "Well, there is the Country Music Hall of Fame. I'd like that to happen some day."

"Ralph Stanley sings like he's met the devil and he's even now waiting in the next room. The craggy, soaring glory of his voice can be as penetrating as a hot poker..." (Rick Mason, City Pages A-list pick 11/18/07)

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