The Sons Of Ralph

 

The Sons of Ralph are an Asheville institution and favorite of Black Betty's and mine. They are also the house band at Jack of the Wood. We happened to catch them there during Bele Chere weekend when they rocked down the house to the delight of the crowd.

At 83, Ralph Lewis is still going strong. Ralph jams with the boys on mandolin, guitar, and vocals. He usually plays the first set of the night and then heads home. You can tell that his sons really love him and the crowd absolutely adores him.
They play a lively blend of  pure Appalachian Americana music ranging from Bluegrass to Country to Rock and Roll.
Ralph's sons Marty and Don make up the Sons of Ralph along with cousin Steve Moseley and "other brother" Ozzie Orengo Jr.
Read their bios and purchase their merchandise on their website: Sons Of Ralph
Better yet see them in person.

The Sons Of Ralph

The Mountain Xpress has once again named The Sons of Ralph as the Best Local Band: Folk/Old-Time/Bluegrass in Western North Carolina. This award for 2008 is the 8th time in the last 10 years that SOR have been awarded this distinction.

Ralph Lewis turned 80 this April and still jams out on mandolin with his sons, Marty Lewis on guitar and Donny Lewis on fiddle and banjo. Second cousin, Steve Mosely plays bass while drummer Ozzie Orengo rounds it out. Ralph hangs tough with the boys and they play everything from traditional and original bluegrass tunes to Grateful Dead covers, with an occasional Doors tunes thrown in, to shake things up.

They generally can be seen at the Jack of the Wood in Asheville every other Saturday night. They'll be there New Year's Eve, it is always a great show.

More info on the Sons of Ralph: http://www.sonsofralph.com/index.html