Ralph Stanley II to be at bluegrass gala

ZALMA, Mo. -- Some well-known bluegrass performers will come to the Zalma High School gym Nov. 2 for the fourth annual Castor River Bluegrass Bash, sponsored by the Zalma Masonic Lodge No. 545.

It's the lodge's main fundraiser, said Leevon DeCourley of Gordonville, one of the event organizers and a bluegrass musician himself.

This year proceeds will go toward funding Zalma School District's BackPacks for Friday program that sends extra food home on Fridays for students who need it over the weekend.

"Whatever we raise, the Masonic Home in Columbia, Mo., matches funds for it," DeCourley said.

Organizers hope many bluegrass fans will come to Zalma to hear Grammy-nominated Ralph Stanley II, son of legendary mountain-music artist Dr. Ralph Stanley. Also appearing will be other well-known artists such as Open Range, Janie Brown and the Chestnut Mountain Band, Old Santa Fe from Southern Illinois, Men of the Week from the Missouri Ozarks and Kentucky's Tommy Brown and the County Line Grass, along with local talent.

Ralph Stanley II, the son of mountain-music legend Dr. Ralph Stanley, will perform Nov. 2 at the Castor River Bluegrass Bash in Zalma, Mo. (Submitted)

The event is sponsored by Radio Station C106.1, where DeCourley is an on-air personality; the Bank of Missouri; Bank of Advance; Ozark Publishing; and Henson Farm Supply of Williamsville, Mo.

Every year since the Zalma Masonic Lodge began hosting a bluegrass concert, the event gets a little bigger, DeCourley said. Other charities the lodge has helped from the concert include the SEMO Food Bank and a hunter education course.

"We're already working on next year's," he said.

DeCourley, a 2008 graduate of Zalma High School, says he enjoys the benefits being a member of the Masonic Lodge gives him. It was only natural he combine his connections with the music industry with the lodge.

"It's the oldest fraternity there is and the largest," he said. "We do a lot of charity work throughout the community."

He joined the lodge when he was in high school.

Bluegrass also is close to DeCourley's heart. He plays mandolin, and has appeared with regional musicians.

"I started with guitar, but I've always been fascinated by the mandolin," he said.

He performed in his first show at the Beal Family Farm concert about four years ago, and has performed with Ralph Stanley and other notables.

Concessions will be available at the event, and the performers will sell their CDs, T-shirts and other items. Seating is available -- no need to bring a lawn chair -- and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

The event begins at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony. Open Range will start the program, and Ralph Stanley II will wrap it up about 8 p.m.