Press

Wilson Pickins Welcomes Ralph II and The Clinch Mountain Boys
Wilson Pickins Promotions is proud to welcome Ralph II and The Clinch Mountain Boys to their roster for Publicity and Booking services.

Just in time for a long list of exciting things to come, Ralph II and Wilson Pickins are looking forward to what's ahead. Along with the announcement of a brand new Gospel CD aimed at being a dedication and remembrance to his late Father, Dr. Ralph Stanley, releasing in July, Ralph II is currently gearing up for the 49th Annual Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival.

"The Stanley name is synonymous with the best in traditional mountain music and bluegrass. “Beautiful Hills of Home” is further evidence of Ralph II’s commitment to the preservation of the music of his legendary father and uncle. The song is a loving tribute combined with a gentle melody that transports a listener to the “deep rolling hills of old Virginia” where the Stanley Brothers are reunited “on that peaceful mountain in those beautiful hills of home.”
-Bob Mitchell, DJ and Three-time SPBGMA Nominee for “Bluegrass DJ of the Year” (2017-18-19)

Lord Help Me Find the Way is a collection of Gospel toned and inspirational songs that Ralph II feels emody a lot of emotion and sentiment that not only he and his family have regarding the life and death of his well-known Father, but also that of the bluegrass community that loved him. He hopes that this album will in a lot of ways, provide a beautiful remembrance and serve as a dedication to Dr. Ralph Stanley and all the lessons and memories in music, as well as family and friendship, that he left behind for all of us.

Next year marks Ralph Stanley II's 25th year in the bluegrass music industry, making music on his own, as a Clinch Mountain Boy, alongside his Daddy, and now as the band leader of the Clinch Mountain Boys himself, and he is looking forward to celebrating and continuing to find ways to make his family name proud. Find out where you can see the band perform online and follow them on Facebook.

Radio programmers can download the new single "Beautiful Hills of Home" on Airplay Direct, and it will be available worldwide on May 10th.

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New Single: Raining In My Heart
Coeburn, Va. (March 7, 2018) -- Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys are proud to announce their new radio single “Raining In My Heart” written by Ralph Stanley II, Alex Leach and Joe Rose. The song is from the band’s self-titled album that has appeared on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums Chart numerous times. Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine refers to the tune as one of the “softer, gentle country sounds” from the album. Radio programmers can download the song at AirPlayDirect or request the file.

The album has already generated a #1 hit on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Song Charts with “Don’t Point Your Finger” and recently appeared on the publication’s Top 20 Monthly Chart. “The new record has the potential of being one of the best traditional bluegrass records of the year,” said Bluegrass Today.
Music fans can purchase the Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys album at iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, www.ralph2.com and more outlets.

Ralph II leads the band on vocals and guitar. He is joined by Clinch Mountain Boys John Rigsby on fiddle and mandolin, Alex Leach on banjo, and Noah Brown on the upright bass. Be sure to check out a live performance by Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys.

Upcoming dates include:
• March 10 – Clay City, KY
• March 11 – Fairborn, OH
• March 24 – Bristol, VA
• April 12 – Bristol, VA
• April 13 – Waco, GA
• April 14 – Folkston, GA
• April 15 – Zephyrhills, FL

For more information on the upcoming Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival, visit drralphstanleyfestival.com for information on the Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival.


Debut at #10 on Billboard’s Top 15 Bluegrass Album Chart
Coeburn, Va. (June 6, 2017) -- Stanley Family Records is proud to announce the new self-titled album by Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys made its debut today at #10 on Billboard’s Top 15 Bluegrass Album Chart. This is the first album release from the band since Ralph II took over the Clinch Mountain Boys band name last year per the wishes of his late father Dr. Ralph Stanley. The band includes Clinch Mountain Boy John Rigsby on fiddle and mandolin, Alex Leach on banjo, Noah Brown on the upright bass, and Ralph Stanley II on the guitar.

The album cover photo was shot on the old stage at the Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home in Virginia. Not only did some of the most historic band members perform on this stage, but Dr. Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley and Curly Ray Cline helped build it. The stage, just like the band members and legacy of the Clinch Mountain Boys, have stood throughout the years. The photo and album artwork was provided by Anthony Ladd of Kneelindesign.

Ralph II has earned two Grammy nominations on previous albums including a Grammy Award on Lost in the Lonesome Pines along with his father, Dr. Ralph Stanley for their collaboration with Jim Lauderdale. Ralph II has also proven to be an accomplished songwriter and has six solo albums, along with the highly-acclaimed duet album with his father titled Side by Side.

Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys debuted their new album May 26 during the Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival. The band also performed several songs with Country music star Patty Loveless. Ralph Stanley II later presented her with the inaugural Dr. Ralph Stanley Mountain Music Memorial Legacy Award much to the crowd’s delight.

The band is busy on tour and will perform Saturday, June 10 at Bill Monroe’s Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival in Bean Blossom, IN. Later this weekend, they will perform with Larry Sparks and Ricky Skaggs at the Mountain Music Legends: The Stanley Brothers Legacy. This special concert event is part of the Crooked Road’s Mountain of Music Festival and will take place June 11 in Blacksburg, VA and June 12 in Norton, VA. For a complete tour schedule, please visit www.ralph2.com.

Music fans can purchase Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys album at iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, www.ralph2.com and more retail outlets.

Radio programmers can download the album for their station at AirplayDirect where it is currently the #2 album on APD’s Top 50 Bluegrass / Folk Chart.



#1 Song "Don't Point Your Finger" by Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
Stanley Family Records is proud to announce the new single “Don’t Point Your Finger”

from the self-titled new album by Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys is the #1 song on the Bluegrass Today Weekly Top 20 Song Chart and made its debut at #13 on the November Bluegrass Today Monthly Top 20 Chart. The publication recently stated, “the new record has the potential of being one of the best traditional bluegrass records of the year.”

Many other media outlets agree with Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine saying “you’ll find this is a very good album and a very good band with a style that is both its own—and its legacy” and Country Standard Time stating “The Ralph Stanley and Clinch Mountain traditions are in fine hands.”

The album made its debut #10 on Billboard’s Top 15 Bluegrass Album Chart this summer and has reappeared numerous times since its release. Ralph II, on lead vocals and guitar, is joined by Clinch Mountain Boys John Rigsby on fiddle and mandolin, Alex Leach on banjo, and Noah Brown on the upright bass. Their recent Billboard chart success is due in part to high sales at
their live concerts. Their upcoming tour dates include:

• November 10 at the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival in Willington, OH
• November 18 at the All American Indoor Music Festival in Fishersville, VA
• December 1 at the American Legion in Orange, VA

Music fans can purchase the Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys album at iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby,
www.ralph2.com and more retail outlets. Radio programmers can download the album for their station at AirplayDirect.

For more information on their 2018 tour along with other news, please visit ralph2.com. For more information on the Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival, please visit drralphstanleyfestival.com

New Single From Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
New Single from Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys:
“Goin’ Round This World”
Coeburn, Va. (April 7, 2017) -- Stanley Family Records is proud to announce a landmark new single, “Goin’ Round This World” by Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys. The song appears on the band’s self-titled album releasing this summer. This is the first recording released since Ralph II honored his father’s wishes by taking over the Clinch Mountain Boys band name last year after his passing. These big shoes are being filled by the talents of previous Clinch Mountain Boy John Rigsby on fiddle and mandolin, Alex Leach on banjo, Noah Brown on the upright bass, and Ralph II on the guitar.
Ralph II has earned two Grammy nominations on previous albums including a Grammy Award on Lost in the Lonesome Pines along with his father, Dr. Ralph Stanley for their collaboration with Jim Lauderdale. Ralph II has also proven to be an accomplished songwriter and has six solo albums, along with the highly-acclaimed duet album with his father titled Side by Side.
The Ralph Stanley II and The Clinch Mountain Boys’ self-titled album will officially release on Friday, May 26, 2017 during Dr. Ralph Stanley's 47th Annual Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival to be held Memorial Day weekend in Coeburn. For the past six years, Ralph II has successfully carried on his father’s legacy by running the event. This year will be no exception as it includes a stellar line-up with: Jim Lauderdale, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Dave Adkins Band, Flatt Lonesome, and a very special artist announcement coming soon.
“Goin’ Round This World” was written by Ralph II, Alex Leach, and Joe Rose and will be serviced to radio stations today. The song was released for sale March 30 on CDBaby and available on iTunes, Amazon and more digital outlets.
More on Ralph Stanley II
As one might expect for the son of a renowned banjo player, the first instrument Ralph II ever held was a banjo. At the ripe old age of three, Ralph (or simply "Two" as he is called by his family and friends), had his first lesson from the elder Stanley, learning a simple finger roll. It turned out, however, that he would not be following in his father’s footsteps, when it came to his choice of instrument. He soon fell under the spell of the undisputed king of boyhood musical desires, the guitar.
Despite his interest in the guitar, and the fact that he was occasionally traveling with the Clinch Mountain Boys on the road, he had not yet developed an ambition to play professionally. It took until age twelve and an old 1977 video of the late Keith Whitley during his tenure as lead singer for the Clinch Mountain Boys, to inspire him to become a professional musician. After seeing Whitley with the elder Stanley, he was hooked and spent hours in the family basement honing his skills, and weathering the comparisons to his late Uncle Carter. His persistence paid off, and he took the stage as lead singer with Ralph Sr. and the Clinch Mountain Boys in June of 1995. Since then, he has earned the respect of Stanley fans everywhere, and has garnered praise as a strong new artist in his own right.