James King

l. to r.: Donald Dowdy, James King, Eddie Biggerstaff,
Clay Lillard

During the mid-1980s, James King performed with Ralph Stanley, his musical idol, filling in when Ralph's lead singers couldn't make a show or a tour. Then, in 1988, King formed his own band, and he's been leading a band pretty much ever since.

But he has never forgotten that Stanley influence. The current edition of the James King Band is pictured here at Bradley's Barn, the now-abandoned studio founded by producers Owen and Harold Bradley where greats like Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers recorded some legendary songs in the early 1950s.

"I never thought I'd ever be in this studio," King says. "When I found out about it, I got cold chills ... hoping that Carter would say something to me."

November

Who is this singer with the royal name?

This bluegrass singer (pictured second from left) first came to Nashville in 1985 as a member of a band called Dealer's Choice (you think they liked to play cards?). The band participated in that year's SPBGMA band competition, eventually finishing in 16th place (out of how many, I don't know).

Now the leader of his own band, he has been back to the Music City many times, as well as all over the country. I have seen him perform many times through the years at festivals here in the Midwest, and I own two of his fine recordings from the 1990s: These Old Pictures (1993) and Lonesome and Then Some (1995).

The band appears to be pictured in front of an old brick wall, paint peeling off and all. Just where this is located and why the band is there will be revealed when this bluegrass singer's identity is revealed.

Significant November dates in bluegrass history

• 1st: The Seldom Scene formed (1971)
• 8th: Roy Lee Centers, former Clinch Mountain Boy, was born (1944)
• 11th: Banjoist Don Stover died (1996)
• 13th: Bassist Mike Bub, formerly of the Del McCoury Band, was born (1964)
• 16th: The Osborne Brothers recorded "Rocky Top" (1967)
• 20th: Bill Vernon (1996) and Charlie Cline (2004) died
• 21st: Jim Eanes (1995) and Allen Shelton (2009) died