Ocracoke's Own Molasses Creek to Open for Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley

On Sunday, July 7 at 8pm, Dr. Ralph Stanley brings his Clinch Mountain Boys to The Lost Colony’s beautiful stage for an evening of all-American bluegrass music. Ocracoke Island band Molasses Creek (award-winning band that has been featured on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion) will open the evening at 7pm with their blend of traditional Americana music and contemporary performance style. Doors open at 6pm and tickets for both regular seating ($25) and VIP seating ($50) are available online at The Lost Colony website.

Dr. Ralph Stanley has long been an icon of American roots music, beginning in 1946 when he formed the Stanley Brothers duo with older brother Carter and later with the formation of the Clinch Mountain Boys. Stanley’s band has nurtured several musicians who later went on the become stars in their own right, including Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks and the late Keith Whitley.

Along the way Stanley received an honorary doctorate of music from Lincoln Memorial University, the National Heritage Award presented by President Reagan, the Library of Congress’ Living Legend Award, and the National Medal of Arts. Stanley was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1992 and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2000.

Although well-known and respected in music circles for decades, it was only with the release of the Cohen brothers film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and it’s soundtrack that Stanley’s mournful voice was introduced to a mass audience. The album, named by National Public Radio one of the 50 most influential recordings of all time, sold more than 8 million copies and earned Stanley a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

Stanley, now 86 years old and still in superb voice, recently announced that he will retire after this year's tour, which is projected to encompass more than 80 shows at festivals, folk clubs and performing arts centers. It's being billed as Man Of Constant Sorrow Tour: The Dr.’s Farewell.  

Opening act Molasses Creek has won fans throughout the United States and around the world with their elegant harmonies, blazing instrumentals and a quirky sense of humor. The band has recorded 13 albums over the past 20 years and in April 2012 An Island Out of Time reached #4 on the National Folk Radio DJ Charts.

Waterside Theatre, the area’s newest musical venue and home to Roanoke Island’s very own Tony Award-winning theatrical production, The Lost Colony, welcomes Grammy Award-winning artists to the Outer Banks as part of the PNC Bank Presents: Live At The Waterside Concert Series.

The limited number of VIP tickets include seating in the first few rows from the stage, access to the air-conditioned lounge set up in The Soundstage Theatre which  will offer beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks, a limited edition poster, plus an opportunity to meet the musical artists and their bands! Both concerts are rain or shine events and rain insurance is not offered.

Long regarded by locals and visitors as a top-notch musical venue waiting to happen, Lost Colony staff worked closely with officials at the National Park Service to bring this year’s two-concert series to Waterside Theatre. The planning and procedures put in place for the shows this summer will pay off big time for what is expected to be a six or eight concert series in 2014!