I saw Ralph and the boys THursday night in Monroe Ohio. it was in a huge church sanctuary that had a wonderful sound system. I could hear my guitar hero James Alan Shelton better than ever. I was delighted to hear him featured on Uncloudy Day, a tune I've been tryin to play from his Clinch Mountain Guitar book. The church supposedly seats 2000 and it was full. They did a little more gospel than usual. They did 4 or so pieces from O Brother (Man of CS, O Death, Angel Band, I'll Fly Away). I'd say Ralp sang lead on about 1/3 of the pieces, harmony on 1/3 and rested on about 1/3. But he was on stage for the whole show. Ralph's voice was gravelly. He said he's had some laryngitis. He cleared his throat a lot. But his singing was strong anyway. He sang the heck out of O Death as usual. From Monroe he was going on to shows in Indiana and Kentucky the next two nights, so he won't be resting his voice. He also announced that he's going on another Down From the Mountain tour for 41 days, but I didn't understand when. He's also going to Europe for 3 weeks, I think he said in May, but the drralphstanley.com website doesn't indicate that Ralph II is doing the May shows so I might have that wrong. Overall it was a great concert. I brought my sons to see their first RS concert (i've seen 3 in Ohio this year). They loved it and they are serious musicians earning their livelihoods in music (one jazz and one classical). Tom Eshelman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Columbus, Ohio 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/
