(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley is expected to be released from a Tennessee hospital today, three days after undergoing triple-bypass heart surgery.
Stanley, 78, is recovering well according to his publicist, Norma Morris. During a routine examination last week, doctors discovered an arterial blockage. The Virginia-born singer underwent a five-hour surgery on Monday, and is expected to have a full recovery.
Morris said it is too soon to know when he will be performing again.
"I'm sure he'll follow his doctor's advice," she said. "Knowing him, he'll want to get back on the road again. I just talked to one of his daughters, and they're all elated with his recovery. He's eating well and up walking around."
Stanley began his recording career with older brother Carter Stanley in 1946, shortly after his discharge from the Army. He has appeared on more than 170 albums, many of them recorded with Carter who died in 1966, and his current band, the Clinch Mountain Boys.
After more than 50 years in the music business, Stanley achieved his greatest fame in 2000 when he sang on the "O Brother, Where Art THou?" soundtrack. That CD sold more than 6 million copies in the United States and earned Stanley his first Grammy for his a cappella performance of the folk ballad, "Oh Death." –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
