Ralph Stanley, the 81 year-old legend of American music, yesterday appeared at an Obama campaign event in Lebanon, Virginia, and gave the Illinois senator his endorsement. (Thanks to Don for the tip.) Virginia’s Daily Press puts it this way:

Barack Obama picked up the endorsement Tuesday of Grammy-winning bluegrass music legend Ralph Stanley.

The 81-year-old Coeburn native has backed other Democrats in recent years, including Mark Warner’s 2001 bid for governor and Florida Senator Bob Graham 2003 bid for president.

Stanley and his brother, Carter, formed the Stanley Brothers and their Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946. The duo helped define the music that would become known as bluegrass, fusing Bill Monroe’s rapid rhythms with the mountain folk of groups such as the Carter Family.

At the Washington Post, Stanley is quoted thusly:

“After the last eight years, Virginia families need someone on their side, someone looking out for their interests, and I know Barack Obama will be that leader,” Stanley said. “He’ll make it easier for parents to send their kids to college and make sure they have more money left in their pockets at the end of the month.”

Well, it’s a free country indeed. Ralph Stanley has earned a great respect all these years and he ought to continue to get that respect from people of every political persuasion. It’s noteworthy that he has couched his endorsement in terms of peoples’ wallets. No doubt Stanley has seen much of hard times during his life.

It’s difficult to say what electoral value this endorsement might have. It would be highly symbolic for many in that part of that country, and it sure doesn’t hurt. One thing is certain: Barack Obama should be very proud to have gotten it. (As opposed to getting this one.)

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