Bill Monroe The "Father" of Bluegrass
When Bill Monroe died on Sept 9, 1996 the world lost one of the greatest and most influential bluegrass musicians ever known, but fortunately Bill left us with many great recordings and his influences on the world of bluegrass music will never be forgotten.
Bill Monroe is known as the "Father of Bluegrass" and he is the man who is credited with the development of one of the greatest music genres ever. In fact the phrase "Bluegrass" was taken from Bill's original band which was called The Blue Grass Boys!
Bill Monroe The Early Days
In 1929 Bill Monroe, along with Charlie and Birch, his older brothers, and Larry Moore formed a band called the Monroe Brothers. Birch and Larry decided to leave the band and Bill and Charlie continued to play as a duo. The Monroe Brothers got their first recording contract, with RCA Victor, in 1936 and right away they achieved a hit single, What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul? From 1936 to 1938 the brothers recorded 60 songs.In 1938 Bill and Charlie went their separate ways and Bill put together a band he called The Kentuckians, but only three months after the band was formed they broke up.
In 1939 Bill assembled The Blue Grass Boys with Cleo Davis, Art Wooten and Amos Green. Later that same year he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1940 The Blue Grass Boys recorded Muleskinner Blues for RCA Victor, but by that time the lineup had changed to Clyde Moody, Tommy Magness and Bill Westbrooks.
In 1945 David Ackerman, known as Stringbean joined the Blue Grass Boys. Stringbean is most known for his role on Hee Haw and for his appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. In December that same year the now famous Earl Scruggs played banjo for The Blue Grass Boys.
Bill Monroe's Mandolin
Bill Monroe was the greatest mandolin player ever known and has influenced and inspired others to play the instrument. It is difficult to imagine any bluegrass band without a mandolin.Sometime in the early 1940s Bill Monroe bought a 1923 Gibson F5 style mandolin signed by the creator of the F5 model Lloyd Loar, which he played throughout the rest of his musical career.
There are only around 200 F5 mandolins signed by Lloyd Loar known to exist and of all those the most prized would definitely be the one owned by the great Bill Monroe.
Bill Monroe's Gibson F5 Mandolin
Learn To Play The Mandolin
-
Learn How To Play Mandolin
-
If you want to learn how to play some cool mandolin tunes get yourself some good tablature. On this page you will find mandolin tablature, instructional videos, mandolin chord charts and scales as well as pictures and information about different mand...
Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival
In 1967 Bill Monroe started an annual bluegrass festival at Bean Blossom Park in Indiana. Bill himself had owned the park since 1951. Throughout the United States as well as some other countries bluegrass festivals are a popular gathering. The Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall Of Fame and Uncle Pen Days Festival now has the distinction of being the oldest and most well attended bluegrass festival of all time.The Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival is held every year in late September at 5163 SR 135 N, Bean Blossom, Indiana. Of course you can visit Bean Blossom Park anytime you like, but it would be great to get to attend the festival. The park had a Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Country Star Museum, flea market, camping, gift shop and much more for the bluegrass lover.
Visit the official website for the festival at BeanBlossom.com
Bill Monroe Photo Gallery
Here I have a few selected photos of Bill Monroe. One of my regrets is that I never got to meet this man, though I have listened to and loved his music since I was a child. Even though I never actually met him I feel as though I knew him and he was a dear family friend. God Bless you Bill Monroe!
Bill Monroe in 1930
Bill Monroe in 1963
Pictured from left to right they are: Bessie Le Mauldin, Bill Monroe, Melissa Monroe, Joe Stuart, Bill Keith, Del McCoury. (1963, Photo by Jim Peva)
Bill Monore at the Jamboree Barn in 1963
Bill Monroe in Later Years
What Is Your Favorite Bill Monroe Song?
If your favorite Bill Monroe song isn't listed feel free to add it and don't forget to vote it up!
More Great Bluegrass Music
-
The SteelDrivers
-
I want to tell you about The SteelDrivers, one of the very best Bluegrass bands I have heard in a long time. Recently I was attending a festival in Eastern Kentucky. There were several bands that were playing including Ralph Stanley. I really enjoy...
-
Ralph Stanley
-
Ralph Stanley was born in Virginia on Feb 25, 1927 to Lee and Lucy Stanley. His full name is Ralph Edmond Stanley. As amazing it may sound Ralph's mother was the one who taught him to play the banjo. Lucy was among 12 children all of whom were accomp...
-
Del McCoury
-
Del McCoury, full name Delano Floyd McCoury, was born in Bakersfield, North Carolina on Feb. 1, 1939. When he was still very young Del's family moved to Pennsylvania. Del's big brother turned him on to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and in 1950 he bo...
-
J D Crowe
-
J. D. Crowe's full name is James Dee Crowe. J.D. was born in Lexington, Kentucky on Aug. 27, 1937 and is well known for his fantastic banjo playing. J.D. Crowe started playing the banjo when he was 13 after hearing Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs on t...
Excellent Lens on Bluegrass Festivals by Deeringboy
-
Bluegrass Music Festivals
-
Alright folks, lets talk about Bluegrass Music Festivals! I created this lens for bluegrass fans and myself to share experiences and tips about bluegrass festivals around the world. When I arrive at a Bluegrass Festival and see a sign like the pictu...
Hee Haw
-
Hee Haw
-
Hee Haw aired for more than 20 years from 1969 to 1992. Roy Clark and Buck Owens hosted the country music variety show until Buck left in 1986. The show was built around rural humor, live country music performers, and the Hee Haw Honeys. Most episode...
Get Bill Monroe on DVD
The Definitive Collection
Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 12/23/2009) 
List Price: $13.98
Usually ships in 24 hours
Father of Bluegrass Music
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Very Best of Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $13.98
Learn How To Play The Mandolin!
The Mandolin of Bill Monroe, Vol. 1
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $29.95
Bill Monroe plays twenty-seven great tunes (some recorded here for the first time), including favorites such as "Rawhide," "Wheel Hoss," "Tennessee Blues," "Dusty Miller," "Roanoke," "Pike Country Breakdown," "Blue Grass Stomp,"Get Up John," "Katie Hill" and "Rocky Road Blues."
Usually ships in 2 to 3 weeks
Visitor Comments
What do you think of the legendary Bill Monroe?
-
Reply
- ViolinStudent ViolinStudent Dec 21, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
- Excellent lens! Great information! 5* fer sure!
Art Haule
http://www.squidoo.com/orangeblossomspecial
-
Reply
- CoCo08 CoCo08 Oct 18, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
- Another one of the Bluegrass greats! Not only was he an outstanding musical artist, but he helped many others become known in the business. Very nice lens with lot's of great background information. Super job, 5 stars!
-
Reply
- Deeringboy Deeringboy Oct 12, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
- Awesome !!!...I love bluegrass music also! Thanks for your comments on my lenses.
-
Reply
- Twmarsh Twmarsh Oct 12, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
- Nice informational lens on Bill Monroe. Five stars, well done!
by OldGrampa
I enjoy many things in life, but nothing more than my family. I have a wide range of inte... (more)
Explore related pages
The SteelDrivers- I want to tell you about The SteelDrivers, one of the very best Bluegrass bands...
Ralph Stanley- Ralph Stanley was born in Virginia on Feb 25, 1927 to Lee and Lucy Stanley. His...
J D Crowe- J. D. Crowe's full name is James Dee Crowe. J.D. was born in Lexington, Kentucky...
Orange Blossom Special- Look a-yonder comin' Comin' down that railroad track Hey, look a-yonder comin' C...
- The SteelDrivers
- I want to tell you about The SteelDrivers, one of the very best Bluegrass bands...
Hee Haw- Hee Haw aired for more than 20 years from 1969 to 1992. Roy Clark and Buck Owens...
