When the Red Clay Ramblers were touring the West Coast with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys 20 years ago, audiences would occasionally see the Rambler's late banjo player Tommy Thompson burst out laughing for what seemed like no reason.

Blame Ralph Stanley.

"Ralph was ... a practical joker, and so were the other guys in his band," says Red Clay Ramblers bass player Jack Herrick. "Ralph nicknamed Tommy 'Uncle Wide' because Tommy was rather large at that juncture of his career. Ralph loved Tommy's stage demeanor and his big, bearlike laugh. So he became Ralph's favorite target of practical jokes.

"One was that Ralph would get into the wings when we were on and try to catch Tommy's attention. Then he would unfurl a somewhat suggestive centerfold while making noises for Tommy to hear. Tommy would burst into huge gales of laughter. I'm sure the audience thought he was crazy."

The Ramblers and Stanley will again share a bill on Thursday for a sold-out show in UNC-Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall. A lot has changed for both bands.

Stanley's singing role in the film, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" won him a new generation of fans and energized a career that began in 1946. He has earned three Grammy awards, had a museum named in his honor and assumed the stature of living legend.

Herrick feels that performing with Stanley again after so many years is a special occasion for the Ramblers, one that combines the best of his traditional music with the Ramblers' eclectic style.

"I like the sound of Ralph's singing and playing as well as any sound on the planet," he says. "I think it's really true of Ralph that there are many people who have emulated his style, but no one really sounds like that. It's haunting and spine-chilling, but at the same time a warm and comforting sound. For me, it stands for what Southern music is and can be. Everything he's touched has benefited and been blessed by his contribution. So we're honored and looking forward to seeing him again."

The Ramblers have branched out into film and theater. They've collaborated on projects by playwright Sam Shepard and cartoonist Doug Marlette. In 1999, they won a Special Tony Award for their work in the Broadway play "Fool Moon."

The Ramblers' latest project involves the play "Lone Star Love," formerly called "The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas." With music and lyrics written by Herrick, the Shakespeare-derived play received nominations from both the Outer Critics Circle Award and Lortel Award for outstanding off-Broadway musical. With a new director and cast, and modifications to the script and music, the Ramblers are working to bring the play to Broadway in the fall. A cast recording of "Lone Star Love" will be released on Tuesday.

"It's a massive job, and it becomes larger every time we attempt it," Herrick says. "It's very hard to crack the mainstream commercial Broadway theater scene as a non-corporate musical. There's usually a large corporation attached to the name of [Broadway show].

"This project started in Chapel Hill, and it's not exactly the kind of thing corporations pounce on. But we're very proud of where we've come, and I think we have a very good chance of making it to Broadway this year. We've got the promise of a theater ... and the funding is coming along nicely."

In addition to theater, the Ramblers are beginning to work on a new studio recording. The album will have a "swampy feel" and a watery theme centered on songs written by Ramblers pianist Bland Simpson. The band is also planning to hit the road on tour this spring.

Herrick says that no matter where their adventures lead, there's no place like home when it comes to performing onstage. The band has earned loyal Triangle fans since starting in 1972.

"They follow our activities, and they expect and welcome new stuff," he says. "And that gives us the confidence we use to try to work with a New York audience, or whatever we're doing at the time."