I'm from Carroll County, Virginia and my grandmother knew Carter and Ralph very well. From what I am to understand, she lived in Abingdon as a girl and they were all the same age. Although she has been gone from us for quite a while, I do remember her telling us about these fellas on the cover of an old bluegrass gospel album and how much fun they were to be around. She told us that they were quite the practical jokers in their youth and were well liked by most of the girls.
I didn't get to meet Ralph until last year at the Blue Ridge Music Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Galax, Virginia. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathleen Pardue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2002 5:49 PM Subject: Re: BG: Re: Stories > > What a wonderful story. I have been through Virginia many times, and I > think it is the most beautiful state. So much history, as well. And all > that besides the bluegrass! Thanks so much for sharing it. If anything else > occurs, please take a minute to pop it onto the board. I know everyone will > appreciate it, for we are all subscribers for only one reason....two > reasons, Carter and Ralph Stanley. Well, three reasons...that wonderful > band, The Clinch Mountain Boys is completely deserving of their place > beside Ralph Stanley. > > Do you know, I think almost all BG fans also love the mountains, country > life, and stories their parents and grandparents told them. > > > > > At 05:20 PM 8/3/02 -0400, you wrote: > > > >I am from Abingdon, VA which is about 1 1/2 hours from McClure, VA - where > >Ralph lives. Back in the Stanley Brothers touring days, they used to play > >in schools and at old warehouse jamboree in Abingdon, VA from time to time. > >My great-uncle, Charlie Sullins, was close friends with Carter Stanley, and > >each time the Stanley Brothers were near, Charlie would be there listening > >to them sing. Several times after a show, Charlie would drive Carter out to > >his farm just outside of Abingdon. They would sit up all night and play and > >sing (and I'm sure they'd share a bit of Charlie's secret moonshine). My > >great-aunt, Virginia, would make them breakfast the next morning and Charlie > >would drive Carter home. My Dad, Charles, has told me stories about these > >visits as he was very close to my great-uncle Charlie. My Dad was there a > >few times and stayed up with Charlie and Carter out on the farm. I would > >give just about anything if I could've been there as well. What a thrill > >that had to have been to be that close to a legend! I hope you enjoyed this > >little tid-bit about Carter Stanley. Take care. > > > >Chuck Sullins > > > > > > Bluegrass Bulletin Board brought to you by the fan club of > Dr Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys > subscribe or unsubscribe at http://drralphstanley.com/ Bluegrass Bulletin Board brought to you by the fan club of Dr Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys subscribe or unsubscribe at http://drralphstanley.com/
