The Stanley Brothers

Second perhaps only to Bill Monroe in significance, the Stanley Brothers are one of the cornerstones of bluegrass. Virginian siblings Ralph and Carter Stanley started recording in 1947. Between the late '40s and mid '50s, they released some of the most influential bluegrass tracks of all time, often backed by their band the Clinch Mountain Boys. Ralph and Carter's close vocal harmonies (and Ralph's banjo playing) inspired countless musicians of subsequent generations. Carter died in 1966, but Ralph continued performing, experiencing an unexpected renaissance in the late '90s sparked by his contribution to the soundtrack for the film O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?