BG: CONGRATULATIONS !!!

[Chuck Sullins]

A very heart-felt CONGRATULATIONS to Ralph Stanley for his Grammy!!!  It is LONG overdue!  I know that he must be thrilled.  As a product of Southwest Virginia, myself, I could hardly control my emotions when I heard the cheers from the crowd for Ralph as he sang "Oh, Death" tonight, and this crowd was a pretty diverse bunch, too.  These are the same cheers that I've been shouting for years - only now, they have come from the rest of the world.  Can you blame them?  I am so thankful that such a wide audience has finally been exposed to this wonderful music - and just look how quickly things exploded!  I was proud to see Ralph on the biggest stage of his career and to witness the response that he received.  Not only is this music, but it is history.  It's history that you won't find in a textbook.  It's history of a way of life that, unfortunately, very few know and understand.  God be with you, Ralph Stanley.  Thanks for your contributions!  Yours is the greatest music in this world and I love it oh so dearly.  HOLD YOUR GRAMMY HIGH - you deserve it!!!   Chuck Sullins