Now a word from Dr. Ralph Stanley

Listening to 81-year-old Ralph Stanley talk is almost as good as hearing him sing. Ralph's the real deal. His southern Appalachian accent reminds me of my great-grandfather's (1897 -1993). That's Ralph and brother Carter on Rank Strangers behind his voice-over. (Younger folk will remember him as the voice of the hooded O Death singer in the Coen Bros. movie O Brother Where Art Thou, and they used Ralph and Carter's Angel Band over the closing credits.)

I admire Ralph Stanley for taking a public stance with his political views, when he knows it's just going to bring out the "shut up and sing" sentiment in a certain segment of his less enlightened fans.

Here's more vintage Ralph Stanley: