‘A Life of Sorrow’ coming to library
The Rappahannock County Library is presenting a performance of the oneman show
“A Life of Sorrow, the Life and Times of Carter Stanley.”
The show, which is scheduled to take place May 7 at 1:30 p.m. is free to the public. The program, based on the life of singer songwriter Carter Stanley and his younger brother Ralph Stanley, uses a mix of storytelling and music to bring to life the saga of an Appalachian music treasure.
The show is the creation of Roanoke-based actor Gary Reid. A bluegrass enthusiast and historian for over 45 years, he is regarded as the foremost authority on the music of the Stanley Brothers. In 2009, Reid conceived the idea of putting together a one-man show about Carter Stanley.
As a long-time fan of the music of Carter and Ralph
Stanley, Reid has spent years collecting memorabilia of the brothers and has all of their single and album releases as well as some 80 hours of live recordings and close to 500 photos. But, he said, “Can you ever have too much?”