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

  1. Social Security Death Index Search
  2. 1 2 3 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.
  3. "Bluegrass Banjoist Ray Goins Dead at 71". CMT. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2019.


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