Ralph Stanley II has added a new member to his touring band. Brad Beavers has joined the group on bass.
Beavers is a native of Tazewell, VA now living in Johnson City, TN where he moved several years ago to study in the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music Studies program at ETSU where he currently attends.
For Brad, it’s been a treat working with II.
“It’s been great so far, and I can’t wait to see what the future with him has in store. He’s a great guy, great to play for, and the rest of the band are top notch musicians and people as well.”
He joins John Rigsby on fiddle, Alex Leach on banjo, and Ralph II on guitar.
Stanley says that he and the band are headed into the studio shortly for a new album, his first since Side By Side, the duet project with his father, Dr. Ralph Stanley, in 2014.
He’s finishing preparations now for the 46th annual Hills of Home festival, the official Dr. Ralph Stanley festival held near the Stanley home place in McLure, VA. It’s been held over the Memorial Day weekend since shortly after Ralph returned to performing after the loss of his brother Carter in 1966.
