Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley Endorses Obama: "We Need a Change"

In a new radio ad running in southwest Virginia, bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley speaks out on behalf of Barack Obama. "I think I know a little something about the families around here," he says. "We all need a change." The Grammy winner is so popular in his home state, bumper stickers proclaiming "Ralph Stanley for President" popped up in the 1970s, according to the Wall Street Journal. With his endorsement, Stanley joins a chorus of artists rallying behind the Democratic candidate, including Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder and the Grateful Dead.

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Song Stories

“Too Close”

Next | 1998

Next was formed in Minneapolis when the uncle of Terry "T-Low" and Raphael "Tweety" Brown, who was a gospel choir director, introduced the brothers to Robert Lavelle "R.L." Huggar. Sounds of Blackness singer Ann Nesby groomed the R&B group before handing them over to Naughty by Nature's KayGee, who wrote and produced "Too Close." The idea for the song was sparked "from a conversation we had with several girls at a nightclub," explained T-Low. "It's talking about the club scene, with guys getting out of hand and the female telling him to back up, asking, 'What are you doing?'" 

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