James Alan Shelton is the latest in a distinguished series of lead guitar players for Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. As a member of Stanley’s band, it is only natural that his style of playing is modeled after the performers who have played before him. At the top of James’ list is the work of George Shuffler, the pioneering cross-picking guitarist who brought the style to prominence while working with the Stanley Brothers in the early and middle 1960s. Other key influences include Ricky Lee and the late Keith Whitley.

In the ten years that James has been with Ralph Stanley, he has maintained a busy traveling schedule that puts him before literally thousands of bluegrass fans each month. He has played most of the states, been to the west coast for 20+ different road trips, and traveled to England to perform in Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Other visible highlights include appearances on Austin City Limits and the Grand Ole Opry. He’s also played on a multitude of Ralph Stanley recordings as well as the various solo projects of the different Clinch Mountain Boys. He’s probably one of the most visible guitarists on the circuit today.

Road To Coeburn is a guitar-oriented attempt to gather instrumental material from a variety of sources – including several Shelton originals – and give it all a decidedly Clinch Mountain flavor. The title track celebrates the trip James makes each week to Coeburn, Virginia to meet Ralph’s bus for travel to personal appearances. To help him duplicate the Stanley sound on this project, he’s enlisted the talents of his fellow band members: Ralph Stanley II on rhythm guitar, Steve Sparkman on banjo, James Price on fiddle, and John Rigsby on mandolin. Making a special guest appearance is Ben Isaacs, of the Isaacs Family, on bass and Adam Steffey, formerly of Alison Krauss’ Union Station, on mandolin.