Ralph Stanley Quotes

I'm thankful that I have lived long enough to become a legend, and I hope I deserve it.

I would have quit before I went rock-n-roll. I know one way, and that's natural, and when I can't make it, I'll come home and stay. I believe in my music.

The soundtrack of O Brother is the most publicity I've gotten. I don't feel that I have lost any of my old fans, but I have gained new ones.

You give out the words and then sing them. You give out the words, you know, and the people can hear what you're giving out, and they sing that song or that line and they do the same thing again.

I like for it to be mountain music or old-time country music or traditional bluegrass. Either one will fit me. It's traditional, basically.

I believe in my music.

I've done it all. I'm thankful and proud of what I've accomplished in my life. I hope to keep doing it.

I live about six miles from where I was born and raised.

No pleasure here on earth I find For in this world I'm bound to ramble.

I don't see any harm in brining an instrument into the church itself.

I guess the first time I played around Washington, D.C. was at a place called The Famous. That was the first place I played, I believe.

I don't listen to the radio too much, but usually I listen to Stanley Brothers and Ralph Stanley more than I do anybody!

I'm a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and they will buy every CD that I have released, but they don't me just to bring the instruments much into the church.

[Regarding President Obama] Yeah, yeah, yeah, I talked to him. I sorta, I guess, helped him get elected.

My mother played a little bit of the old time clawhammer. She tuned the banjo up and picked one tune for me, and it just become natural to me. When she picked it, I just started and picked it, too.

Speaking of WAMU, [bluegrass and old time music DJ] Ray Davis did a lot of work there. I've know Ray, I guess for 50 years - 40, or 50 years. And, he plays a lot of my records.

I don't - I don't like that style, myself. I never did like Elvis's singing, but there was millions that did.

I am a man of constant sorrow. I've seen trouble all my days.