In the fall of 1958, the Stanley Brothers recorded Train 45 for King Records here in Cincinnati, Ohio.  54 years later, while in town to perform as part of the MidPoint Music Festival, Ralph Stanley and his band -- including James Allan Shelton -- took time out to shoot a Michael Wilson video at the grand ole Emery Theatre.

Ralph Stanley was still serving in the Army when his brother Carter got out in 1946 and joined The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys, a band run by his brother-in-law, Roy Sykes.  Roy lent Carter his Martin D-28, the very guitar Carter is holding in the picture above (far right) as he poses outside the WNVA radio studio in Norton, Virginia in the summer of 1946.

James Alan Shelton (profile, second from left) is holding the same guitar as he tunes up for the video shoot.  He had only recently acquired the instrument from Roy Sykes, Jr. trading, "...another Martin guitar plus a rather large sum of money..."

The D-28 needed some restoration -- a neck re-set, some set up work -- "It has a large scratched up place on the top where Carter dug it out with his fingerpick."

Shelton added, "I do not take it out on the road a lot, but occasionally I will because I think something like that should be shared."

Sadly, we lost Mr. Shelton on June 3rd.  Thankfully, this gifted artist recorded many performances to sustain us in his absence.

Enjoy James Alan Shelton as he shares his prized guitar and, more importantly, his music along with his fellow Clinch Mountain Boys and the good Dr., his own self.

One mic for Ralph, one mic for the band and one camera to capture the whole thing in one take.  And, if you appreciate all kinds of music, treat yourself to more of the Emery Sessions.