Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley Dies At 89

Bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley has died. Family members say he passed away Thursday night at his home in Virginia after a battle with skin cancer. He was 89 years old.

The singer and banjo player always embraced his Appalachian roots, onstage and off.

Paul Brown is the host of “Across The Blue Ridge” on WFDD. He says Stanley was a bridge between traditional mountain music and the modern era of bluegrass.

“He was really the last elder statesman of the first generation of bluegrass players after World War II, so that's a link that we've pretty much lost now with his passing,”

Stanley became a member of the Grand Old Opry in 2000. That same year, he gained renewed fame and a new generation of fans for his a cappella song "O Death" from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? movie soundtrack.  Stanley won a Grammy for that song and another one in 2002 for best male country vocal performance.

He also was honored for his work and contributions on several occasions throughout his long career, including receiving the "Living Legend" medal from The Library of Congress in 2000.

Stanley is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Jimmi Stanley; three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news