He spent his life bringing the joy of bluegrass music to the masses. Now, Ralph Stanley is being mourned today by fans, family, and friends. Stanley died Thursday from difficulties with skin cancer. He was 89.

“His voice sounds like it has been here since time began,” said Eric Gibson.

Widely recognized throughout his lengthy career by numerous organizations, the beloved singer and banjo player was given an honorary doctorate of music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, in 1976. He was often introduced as “Dr. Ralph Stanley.”

He performed at the inaugurations of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, was given a “Living Legends” medal from the Library of Congress, and received a National Medal of Arts presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and President George W. Bush. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2000.

“You don’t replace a Ralph Stanley,” Eric Gibson of bluegrass duo The Gibson Brothers told The Tennessean. “His voice sounds like it has been here since time began.”

Born in Big Spraddle, Virginia, Stanley first sang in church. At age 11, his mother said he could have a pig or a banjo — luckily for all, he chose the musical instrument. Ralph and his brother Carter were both musically gifted. Their father would sing them traditional songs while their mother, a banjo player, taught them the old-time clawhammer style, in which the player’s fingers strike downward at the strings in a rhythmic style.

In 1946, the brothers formed the Clinch Mountain Boys. In 1951, they popularized “Man of Constant Sorrow,” which was later recorded by Bob Dylan in the ’60s.

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The brothers began playing big folk and bluegrass festivals, finding fame and fans along the way. When Carter Stanley died of liver disease in 1966, Ralph wasn’t sure he could continue. His brother had been the main songwriter, lead singer, and frontman.

“Within weeks of his passing, I got phone calls and letters and telegrams and they all said don’t quit. They said, ‘We’ve always been behind you and Carter, but now we’ll be behind you even more because we know you’ll need us,'” Stanley told The Associated Press in 2006.

Stanley said he was happy younger people were coming to see his shows and hear his “old-time music.”

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Stanley did continue, adding Ray Cline, vocalist Larry Sparks, and Melvin Goins to the band. Later the lineup included Jack Cooke, Keith Whitley, and Ricky Skaggs.

In 2000, Stanley, age 73 and still going strong, was introduced to a new generation of fans with his moving a cappella song “O Death” from the hit “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” movie soundtrack. The album was also a hit, selling millions of copies. He won a Grammy for best male country vocal performance in 2002 — beating out Tim McGraw, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Lyle Lovett.

Stanley said he was happy younger people were coming to see his shows and hear his “old-time music,” he told AP, clearly liking his newfound fame.

“I wish it had come 25 years sooner,” he said. “I am still enjoying it, but I would have had longer to enjoy it.”

Stanley is survived by his wife Jimmie Stanley — they were going to celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary on July 2 — along with three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.