Dr. Ralph Stanley . Feb-25-1927 Born on this day in Southwest Virginia, was Ralph Stanley also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley, bluegrass artist, known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing. His work was featured in the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou?, in which he sings the Appalachian dirge “O Death.” That song won him a 2002 Grammy Award in the category of Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Stanley died on June 23 2016 aged 89. . Song: Gloryland Songwriters: James W. Acuff, Emmett S.