The War interrupted any thoughts of a musical career, and it was not until both brothers returned from the service that they were able to make their own mark in music -- ultimately ending up on WCYB Bristol, Tennessee, where they would remain for over ten years as stalwarts of the famed "Farm and Fun Time" radio show. Their music initially followed a more old time style favored by Mainer's Mountaineers, with Ralph playing the banjo in the old two-finger style, interspersed with old time clawhammer playing, before taking a stab at the new three-finger style popularised by Earl Scruggs.
They formed The Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946. They were perhaps the first band to adopt the new music style created by Bill Monroe in the mid-1940s that later became known as bluegrass. Carter played guitar and sang lead while Ralph played banjo and sang with a strong, high tenor voice. Their harmonies are much admired, and many consider Carter Stanley to be one of the greatest singers in the history of country music. The brothers also wrote many of their own songs and Carter had a particular knack for writing deceptively simple lyrics that portrayed strong emotion. The Stanley's style can best be described as a traditional "mountain soul" sound that remained close to the Primitive Baptist vocal stylings they learned from their parents and others near their southwestern Virginia home.
The early Stanley Brothers recordings on Rich-R-Tone (of Johnson City, Tennessee) included Pee Wee Lambert on mandolin. They later added an innovative touch to their traditional sound with the guitar solos of George Shuffler who often used a crosspicking style.
Carter performed briefly with Bill Monroe while Ralph was recovering from injuries received in an automobile accident in 1951. As bluegrass music grew less popular in the late 1950s, the Stanley Brothers moved to Live Oak, Florida to headline the weekly Suwannee River Jamboree radio show on WNER. The three-hour show was also syndicated across the Southeast. Otherwise the brothers performed together until 1966 (from 1961 on as a duo). After Carter's death Ralph revived the Clinch Mountain Boys and is still performing in 2006. Among the musicians who have played in the revived Clinch Mountain Boys are Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Larry Sparks, Curly Ray Cline, Jack Cooke, and Ralph Stanley II. Ralph's career received a big boost with his prominent role on the phenomenally successful soundtrack recording of the 2000 film, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?." The Stanley Brothers were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992.
Among the Stanley Brothers' best known recordings are:
* I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow (1950, Columbia)
* Rank Stranger
* Angel Band
* How Mountain Girls Can Love
* How Far to Little Rock? (novelty)
* Still trying to get to Little Rock (novelty)
* Ridin' That Midnite Train
* Clinch Mountain Backstep
* She's More To Be Pitied
* The Memory of Your Smile
* Love Me Darlin' Just Tonight
Clinch Mountain Boys Members
* Carter Stanley (guitar)
* Ralph Stanley (banjo)
* Darrell "Pee Wee" Lambert (mandolin)
* Jim Williams (mandolin)
* Curly Lambert (mandolin)
* Leslie Keith (fiddle)
* Robert "Bobby" Sumner (fiddle)
* Les Woodie (fiddle)
* Ralph Mayo (fiddle, guitar)
* Chubby Anthony (fiddle)
* Art Stamper (fiddle)
* Joe Meadows (fiddle)
* Red Stanley (fiddle)
* Don Miller (fiddle)
* Vernon Derrick (fiddle)
* James "Jay" Hughes (bass)
* Ernie Newton (bass)
* Chick Stripling (bass)
* Mike Seeger (bass)
* Bill Napier (guitar, mandolin)
* George Shuffler (guitar, bass)
* Larry Sparks (guitar)
External links
* Ralph Stanley Discography
* Recording of "We Are Going to Paint the Town" from a 1958 Florida radio show (made available for public use by the State Archives of Florida)
* Podcast (mp3) of one of the Stanley Brothers' Suwannee River Jamboree raido show from 1958 (made available for public use by the State Archives of Florida)
It’s Never Too Late
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been fair to you you know all along
Why treat me this way you're breaking my heart
I'm lonesome for you we're so far apart
Its never too late to start over new
I've loved you so long you know I've been true
Please come back to me my heart is so blue
Now when you are tired your new love's gone down
I hope you'll return I'll still be around
I love you so well you know I will wait
But remember these words it's never too late
The Stanley Brothers's song It is a heart-wrenching plea to a lost love to come back, reminding them of the singer's unwavering love and faithfulness. The opening lines, "Now darling I've loved I've never done wrong, I've been fair to you you know all along," emphasize the singer's innocence and loyalty. The chorus, "It's never too late to start over new, I've loved you so long you know I've been true," is a hopeful reminder that the singer is still waiting for their love, still believing that they can start a new chapter together. The final lines, "But remember these words it's never too late," serves as a warning that even if the lost love chooses a new path, the singer will always be there waiting for them to return.
The simple melody and sparse instrumentation of the song enhance its emotional power, highlighting the stark beauty of the lyrics. The Stanley Brothers, an American bluegrass duo, were known for their exceptional harmonies and authentic, traditional approach to bluegrass music. The mournful, plaintive sound of their music perfectly fits the emotional tone of the song It.
Line by Line Meaning
Now darling I've loved I've never done wrong
My dear, I have always loved you and never made mistakes
I've been fair to you you know all along
I have been honest and just with you all this time
Why treat me this way you're breaking my heart
Why are you hurting me like this? Is it not breaking my heart?
I'm lonesome for you we're so far apart
I feel so lonely without you, and the distance between us doesn't help
Its never too late to start over new
It is always possible to start afresh and make things right
I've loved you so long you know I've been true
I have been in love with you for such a long time and my loyalty is unwavering
Please come back to me my heart is so blue
My heart is aching and I desperately need you back in my life
Now when you are tired your new love's gone down
When your new love has left you and you are weary
I hope you'll return I'll still be around
Know that I will be here waiting for you and hoping you come back to me
I love you so well you know I will wait
My love for you is strong enough to endure the wait until you return to me
But remember these words it's never too late
Please do not forget that it is never too late to give us another try
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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