Ray Goins (January 3, 1936[1] – July 2, 2007) was an American bluegrass banjoist.
Born in Bramwell, West Virginia, Goins aspired to be a lawyer.[2] He changed his career to music in the 1940s after listening to string band music on WCYB radio, and began singing publicly at the age of 16.[2] During a 50-year career he was member of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, before finally forming the Goins Brothers with his older brother, Melvin.[2]
Ray Goins had a heart attack in 1994 and semi-retired from playing professionally in 1997. He still played shows occasionally with Melvin & Windy Mountain after he semi-retired.[3]
References
- ^ Social Security Death Index Search
- ^ a b c Parson, Penny (1 June 2009). "The Many Hats of Melvin Goins". Bluegrass Music. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ "Bluegrass Banjoist Ray Goins Dead at 71". CMT. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
External links
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