James Alan Shelton

James Alan Shelton began his long tenure in 1994 as lead guitarist for bluegrass master Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, he also issued several solo albums, the first of which was Blue in the Blue Ridge, released in 1996. Shelton secured his position with the Clinch Mountain Boys three years after approaching Stanley at a concert and expressing his desire to join the bluegrass banjo legend’s ensemble. Stanley allowed him to join a few numbers onstage, setting Shelton on his path. Although no full-time opening existed until 1994—when Ernie Thacker and Junior Blankenship considered departing—Shelton had already substituted briefly for the vacationing Blankenship in 1992.

Raised in Virginia, Shelton started playing guitar at age 12 under the guidance of his maternal grandfather. Lacking his own instrument at first, he practiced on harmonica until his father purchased a three-quarter-size Fender for $89.95; Shelton repaid the amount through work on the family tobacco crop. Until witnessing a 1973 concert that paired Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys with Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, his musical exposure came mainly from television appearances by the Wilburn Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, and Porter Wagoner. Around age 13 he took up the banjo, and two years afterward he joined the Bluegrass Travelers as their banjoist. He stayed with that group for roughly eighteen months and appeared on one of their albums before completing a two-year banjo stint with the Larkin Brothers.

Shelton next spent four years playing dobro and guitar with Flint Hill. He then left bluegrass temporarily to serve as electric guitarist in a country band. That phase concluded in 1985 when he returned to bluegrass, performing on banjo and mandolin with Blue Ridge. After three years there, he took a series of non-musical jobs that included house painting and factory work. Eventually he contacted Stanley again and reiterated his wish to join the band.