Governor Warner Set to Open National Folk Festival and Honor Dr. Ralph Stanley

Governor Warner Set to Open National Folk Festival and Honor Dr. Ralph Stanley

— on behalf of Governor Warner, Lt. Governor Tim Kaine will present the legendary musician and native Virginian with a proclamation honoring his life and work on Sunday —

Governor Mark R. Warner today will officially open the 2005 National Folk Festival in Richmond, a free, three-day traditional arts event featuring over 30 performances. The event is a traveling festival that will be held in Richmond in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Approximately 100,000 people attend the annual festival, which is expected to generate more than $4 million in economic impact for the Richmond region.

The festival will also feature artisans, more than 20 of whom are from Virginia, who will display their traditional methods of making crafts and instruments including guitars, flutes, fiddles, pottery, weaving, and wood carving.

"I am incredibly proud of the amount of Virginia talent that will be showcased at this event of national importance," said Governor Warner. "Virginia is home to some of the most authentic and talented traditional folk musicians and artisans in the world. This festival will introduce thousands of people not only to all the Richmond region has to offer, but to the unparalleled sights, sounds, and crafts of the entire Commonwealth."

Governor Warner announced that on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Lt. Governor Tim Kaine will present a proclamation on the Governor's behalf to Dr. Ralph Stanley, a native Virginian, in honor of his life and work as a pioneering traditional country music artist.

"Of all the national honors and accolades Dr. Stanley has received, I am unaware of the Commonwealth officially recognizing and honoring him for his extraordinary contribution to our country's musical history," said Governor Warner. "Dr. Stanley has been a friend, a supporter, and an incredible ambassador for Virginia, specifically for our Appalachian region. This may not compare to a Grammy award or the museum named in his honor, but I hope this proclamation will reiterate Virginia's pride and appreciation for a legendary musician who has helped shape the musical landscape of our Commonwealth and our country. "

Dr. Stanley was born in and still makes his home in Dickenson County in Southwest Virginia. He is a traditional country music pioneer who has released or performed on more than 200 albums and has won three Grammy Awards. On October 15, 2004, Governor Warner joined Dr. Stanley and other state and local leaders to officially open the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center in Clintwood, Virginia.

The museum is an anchor on The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail.

The Crooked Road is a major economic development initiative for Southwest Virginia. It links Virginia's most authentic and famous traditional country music venues together to highlight Southwest Virginia's rich heritage, music, and culture and bring tourism and economic development opportunities to the region. Governor Warner officially launched The Crooked Road in May of 2004 and has incorporated its premise of developing a region's naturally existing assets into economic development opportunities in his Virginia Works and Virginia Artisans initiatives.

The National Folk Festival will feature "Music from The Crooked Road" on Friday, October 7 at 8:15 p.m., noon on Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information about The Crooked Road and The Ralph Stanley Museum, go to www.thecrookedroad.org or call 1-866-686-6874.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Oct05/1007.htm