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Feature article
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Ralph Stanley Museum set to open
By staff report
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CLINTWOOD - Southwest Virginia bluegrass music legend Ralph Stanley will do what he does best to herald the grand opening of a facility that bears his name.
The grand opening of the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center will be at 11 a.m. on Oct. 16 in Stanley's hometown of Clintwood. Housed in a Victorian mansion built in 1904, the $1.9 million interactive facility will feature more than 3,000 square feet of exhibits, listening stations and memorabilia dedicated to Stanley's life and career.
Stanley will be one of several renowned musicians to perform at a fund-raising concert at the Jetti Baker Center in Clintwood on Oct. 15.
"I have been blessed with many honors in my lifetime, but having my own museum is one of the greatest honors I've received. I am proud that my work and this wonderful music will be here for future generations to enjoy," Stanley said recently.
Virginia taxpayers have invested more than $1 million via the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, $600,000 from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, and other funds from the Virginia Tobacco Commission. Federal dollars have also been directed into the project.
Stanley is one of the most celebrated and honored traditional country and bluegrass musicians of all time. The legendary musician has recorded more than 200 albums and performed duets with other music legends outside the bluegrass box like Bob Dylan, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Scaggs and Joan Baez. His work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack helped establish the film as an unexpected smash hit.
Now 77, the multi-Grammy-winning artist shows no sign of slowing down and continues to tour the country and the world.
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