Ralph Stanley To Receive Governor's Award for the Arts - Will Accept Honor Sept. 17 in Richmond, VA

Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Virginia General Assembly) - Mountain music patriarch Ralph Stanley will be presented the Governor's Award for the Arts Sept. 17 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. The 81-year-old singer, banjoist and songwriter is the only musician among the 10 winners announced Aug. 5 by Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine.

"These awards recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in the arts," Governor Kaine said. "They call attention to the creative spirit that contributes to the quality of life throughout the Commonwealth."

A performing musician since 1946, when he formed the Stanley Brothers with his older brother, Carter, Stanley has shaped the more stark and traditional strand of bluegrass music. His participation in the soundtrack recording O Brother, Where Art Thou-an album that has sold more than 7 million copies-earned him three Grammys, including the Best Country Male Vocalist award. He holds a fourth Grammy for his recordings with artist Jim Lauderdale.

The Virginia Press Assn. named Stanley its 2004 Virginian of the Year, and President George Bush honored him in 2006 with a National Medal of Arts. Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly cited Stanley for lifetime achievements.

The other Governor's Award recipients-chosen from among 345 nominees-are Bruce Miller, Phil Whiteway and Richmond's Theatre IV, the state's first professional children's theater, the Richmond Ballet and its artistic director, Stoner Winslett; the Bob Brown Puppets; the William King Regional Arts Center of Abingdon; the Richmond Jazz Society; the Hampton University Museum; Ralph Cohen and Jim Warren for their work with the American Shakespeare Center; SHENANDOAH: The Washington and Lee University Review; and David and Susan Goode for their leadership roles in various state arts organizations.