Ralph Stanley - Fairfax, Va. 07 Apr 1990

Ralph Stanley - Fairfax High School Auditorium, Fairfax, Va. 07 April 1990
This is likely to be one of the earliest shows to feature a young Ernie Thacker on lead vocals. (Ralph's previous lead singer Sammy Adkins had to leave the band at the end of March 1990).
Ralph's long-time lead guitar player, Jr. Blankenship had also just left, so this set was performed as a four-piece. In May 1990 Chris Smith helped fill in on lead guitar on some shows, with Ralph 'Hank' Smith joining in late June/early July 1990. Jr. would later rejoin the band in Autumn 1991.
Also on the bill were Alison Krauss and the Johnson Mtn Boys.
Ralph Stanley - Curly Ray Cline - Jack Cooke - Ernie Thacker
Thanks to Rick Gardner for use of the photo:-
/ classicbluegrasspictures
00:00 Ray Davis introduction
01:38 Long Gone
03:26 I'll Just Go Away
07:32 Sitting On Top Of The World
11:36 Cacklin' Hen
14:36 Dirty Black Coal
20:52 Room At The Top Of The Stairs
23:41 I'll Answer The Call
25:34 I'm Willing To Try
27:29 Children Go Where I Send Thee
30:12 Kitten And The Cat
32:50 Medley: I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow /
34:23 Little Joe /
35:52 Blue Moon Of Kentucky
38:28 Medley: Boar Hog /
40:47 Lost Train Blues
43:55 Turn Back, Turn Back
46:50 Medley: I've Got A Mule To Ride /
48:54 Rocky Island /
50:31 Shout Little Luly
52:03 Hills Of Home (A Tribute To Carter)

[@donherr7036]

Can't get better than this.real bluegrass music

[@Drew-Hill]

This show is a treasure!

[@leftclaw4078]

33 years ago today!!! Gives me chills. The soul of mountain music.👍🏻

[@Nortfortress]

These boys were great

[@pauladams5595]

Ralph Stanley bluegrass royalty

[@thebanjooutlaw]

Ernie Thacker was the man!👍

[@JoshLooperMusic]

Man of constant sorrow in the key of C! 🤯 🗣️🎙️🔥🪕🔥

[@gloriajeansongbird4657]

Omg amazing

[@Drew-Hill]

That’s a darn good time! I was 4 years old lol.

[@thebanjooutlaw]

I believe Ralph broke a string at 38:45! 😁 and I know one thing… Curly Ray wore out that Lost Train right after that!!!👏

[@BluegrassBuzzbomb]

Yeah! I'd completely missed that. A bit of shame as I usually love Ralph's live breaks on 'Boar Hog'!

[@annetteparker9989]

The best bluegrass music 😂

[@scottclark9176]

I miss Ernie.

[@gloriajeansongbird4657]

Well they stole my keith Whitley song and everyone knows I wrote that song about Keith

[@cshifflettgaming5072]

@@gloriajeansongbird4657what song would that be?

[@lemmykilmister9979]

Ernie Thacker could sing the phone book what a voice