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)
Old Daniel Prayed
The Stanley Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
He cared not for the things of man he trusted one who would not fail
Oh, Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night
Oh, Daniel served the living God while here upon this earth he trod
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
He cared not for the kings decree he trusted God to set him free
They cast him in the lion's den because he would not honor men
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
The jaws were locked and it made him shout, and God soon got them
Safely out
Oh, Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night
Now brother, let us watch and pray like Daniel did from day to day
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
We too can gladly daring do the things that God will take us through
Oh, Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night
The Stanley Brothers' song "Daniel Prayed" celebrates the life of Daniel, a man who prayed to God every morning, noon, and night. The song highlights the faith and commitment that Daniel had towards God. The lyrics emphasize Daniel's trust in God and how he did not care about the things of man. He was dedicated to God alone and remained confident that God would never fail him. The song acknowledges that because of Daniel's faith, God was able to save him from the lion's den.
The song also encourages listeners to follow Daniel's example by watching and praying every day. The lyrics remind listeners that if they remain faithful to God, they too can go through whatever God takes them through. The message is clear: by putting trust in God, we can overcome all of life's challenges.
The melody of the song is slow and mournful, which accentuates the lyrical themes of faith and resilience. The song is a beautiful tribute to the power of prayer, faith, and trust in God.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard about a man one day who wasted not his time away
I learned about a man who never wasted his time and was always prayerful.
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
He prayed to God three times daily.
He cared not for the things of man he trusted one who would not fail
He did not care about people's opinions and trusted God completely.
Oh, Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night
Daniel was always prayerful, and he prayed three times daily.
Oh, Daniel served the living God while here upon this earth he trod
Daniel was devoted to God while alive.
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
Daniel prayed three times daily.
He cared not for the king's decree he trusted God to set him free
He did not follow the king's orders and trusted that God will save him.
And he prayed to God every morning, noon, and night
Daniel was prayerful, and he prayed three times daily.
They cast him in the lion's den because he would not honor men
They threw Daniel into the lions' den because he did not respect people's desires.
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
Daniel prayed three times daily.
The jaws were locked and it made him shout, and God soon got them safely out
The lions' jaws were closed, and God saved Daniel from them.
Oh, Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night
Daniel was prayerful, and he prayed three times daily.
Now brother, let us watch and pray like Daniel did from day to day
We should pray regularly like Daniel did every day.
He prayed to God every morning noon and night
Daniel prayed three times daily.
We too can gladly daring do the things that God will take us through
We can also do what God wants us to do, and He will help us.
Oh, Daniel prayed every morning, noon, and night
Daniel was always prayerful, and he prayed three times daily.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: RALPH STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moragmacgregor6792
Mary Plaidy
The Ralph Stanley song is AWESOME and I’d never heard it before. Thanks!
My background: I grew up in Arkansas hearing a lot of Ozark mountain music, listening to a lot of real folk songs.
In the 90’s I played with a straightup traditional bluegrass band with a couple of very authentic older fellers. I learned so many old favorites and I loved adding a third harmony.
I also played in a newgrass band. We did a little Doc Watson and Bill Monroe but mostly played classic rock reworked for bluegrass style and instruments. A lot of fun.
So I’m knowledgeable about bluegrass as a genre. I’m pretty knowledgeable about the great first-generation bands.
I’m less knowledgeable about bands that recorded in the 60’s and later.
Your Ralph Stanley song is such a treat, I can’t wait to follow your other links.
@carlhaynes5317
The Stanley Brothers are true Godfathers of Bluegrass music !! True fact
@jayperkins9302
Tears fall when I remember listening to them with my dad
@stanleygeorge3260
They carry my name! How could they be any joke? But seriously, those Stanley Brothers and their band are just phenomenal!!! I've been hearing and loving them since I was a very little boy in Bolans, Antigua in the 1960s. What great performers!!! Unrivalled!!!
Stanley A. George III, Esq.
Bolans Village
St. Mary's Parish
Antigua, West Indies
@castleincorporated
God's blessing on you, Mr. George. From your Brother in New York, USA.
@Mr.InbetweenFX
Sending you best of energy from Houston, Texas #StanelyGeorge! Glad to hear that this music is appreciated worldwide honestly!
@mo1978us
them Stanley Bros ain't no joke
@PhillipNeal
Melissa B I love them I live just a skip from where Ralph lived he passed last year I was a fan Stoll am he has grandkids Nathan and son Ralph 2 they perform well
@machinenkanone9358
Carter was THE best voice in American string music. Period.
@B.__._..-___803
thanks !
@moragmacgregor6792
I love Carter Stanley's voice. I hate that I was never able to see the Stanley Brothers. I mean, Ralph is no joke either but he's not the brothers, is he. Was he/were they Together again, I like t.o think