More people have heard about the Chestnut Grove Quartet than have actually heard them, for they influenced the world of a cappella music tremendously. The quartet was created by friends who had sung together in childhood in Washington County, Virginia where they learned shape note singing from itinerant instructors. After returning from WW II, they started singing together once again but just didn't feel the need for instruments and became one of those rare mountain groups who sang their hymnody a cappella. In the mid '50s they started singing on newly opened WBBI in Abington. From 2:00 to 2:30 each Sunday, for thirty years, they had a show, paid for by the sale of songbooks and LP's.(Their first album was recorded in less than an hour!!!) After the death of his brother and singing partner, Carter Stanley, Ralph moved back home and became a great fan of the quartet. He was so influenced that, in 1971, he began singing quartet style a cappella in his shows. It was a hit. Now most bluegrass groups put down their instruments for a moment of gospel harmonizing. This music is major part of the reason why that happens.