If all the “supposed” truisms, an oft heard adage that definitely hits the mark is that “Bluegrass Music is family oriented.” As the Editor’s Letter for March demonstrated, Festival Promoters work unceasingly to make both their venues and festival activities more family friendly.

Family orientation has, likewise, been a strong characteristic of bluegrass artists. Since the inception of the industry, famous brother duos have been hallmarks of the trade. Names such as Bill and Charlie Monroe, Ralph and Carter Stanley, Melvin and Ray Goins, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Bea and Everette Lilly, and Sonny and Bobby Osborne represent but a few of the more widely known sibling combinations.

Without question family ensembles have also played a major role in shaping bluegrass music. While it would be difficult to select a “First Family of Bluegrass,” several merit consideration for that honor. Groups such as The Carter Family, The Lewis Family, The Sullivans, The McLain Family, and The Marshalls, made distinct and lasting contributions to bluegrass, while the Renos, the Parmleys, the McCourys, the Sitzes and the Goads of the Village Singers are more recent family names that have garnered national recognition in bluegrass circles.

While wives played a major role in the success of several of the family bands listed above, it wasn’t until the past decade that women received their rightful place in the bluegrass spotlight. Household names now include Eddie and Martha Adcock, Robin and Linda Williams, Kenny and Amanda Smith, Lynn Morris and Marshall Wilborn, Jeanette and Johnny Williams, and Honi and Jeff Deaton.

If family orientation has been crucial in the growth of bluegrass at the national level, it has been even more true for the regional and local bluegrass bands. Most of our readers will probably know a band similar to the Missouri-based, Bluegrass Ramblers, who were honored this past summer by Governor Bob Holden for fifty-years of entertaining audiences throughout the Midwest. Founded in 1954 by the brother duo, Russell and Luther Withers, [below] not only is the family band still going strong, but it now includes children and grandchildren of the founders.

I hope you enjoy reading the cover story on Ralph and Ralph II and can appreciate the insight that went into preparing and getting the father and son to share their innermost thoughts and musical dreams with writer, Barb Baird. I know Barb enjoyed writing about the Stanley’s but most of all she was totally fascinated with these two talented men.

Enjoy,

Deb Bledsoe
Managing Editor