I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #270

From October 1, 2010 through to the end of September 2011, we will, each day, celebrate the life of Bill Monroe by sharing information about him and those people who are associated with his life and music career. This information will include births and deaths; recording sessions; single, LP and CD release dates; and other interesting tidbits. Richard F. Thompson is responsible for the research and compilation of this information. We invite readers to share any tidbits, photos or memories you would like us to include.

  • June 27, 1924 Lloyd Leslie George (aka Ken Marvin) was born in Cordova, Alabama.  *
  • June 27, 1989 Recording session – Some of the songs noted as being recorded on May 5, 1989, were recorded either on this date, May 5, 1989, on June 13 (or 14), 1989.  (See I’m Going back to Old Kentucky # 217.)
  • June 27, 1990 Recording session – During an evening session at the Sound Emporium in Nashville Bill Monroe recorded Just Over In The Glory Land and Baptize Me in the Cumberland River. On the former Bobby Osborne [lead vocal/mandolin] and Sonny Osborne [baritone vocal/banjo] joined Monroe and Tater Tate for a quartet arrangement of the song. Tom Ewing [guitar], Blake Williams [banjo], Billy Rose [bass] and Tater Tate [fiddle] assisted. The producer was Steve Buchanan. **
  • June 27, 2000 CD released – Bill Monroe – American Traveler (County Records CCS-CD-119) ***

* From about 1963 Lloyd George worked as an assistant to Ralph Rinzler, booking shows for Bill Monroe.

After graduating from high school, George worked briefly for Curly Fox and Texas Ruby, before going on to play bass with Eddie Arnold.

It was while with Arnold that he teamed up with Rollin Sullivan, eventually becoming famous as one half of the comedy team Lonzo and Oscar and noted for their smash hit recording I’m My Own Grandpa. The duo broke up in January 1950 after George, now working as Ken Marvin, began a solo recording career, which extended through the decade with releases on the Capitol, Mercury, RCA Victor and Briar labels.

He is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

** Both of these recordings were included on the album Cryin’ Holy Unto the Lord (MCAD-10017)

*** American Traveler, 16 instrumentals

This is one CD that any fan of Monroe instrumentals should not be without. It contains his best known, as well as his lesser known, instrumentals. Some will lift your spirits, some will make you sad, and some will make you think of times past. It will truly take you on an emotional rollercoaster! This CD contains some of the tunes you would hear at about any bluegrass jam session and others that should be!! Take my advice, buy this CD now, you won’t be disappointed!!!!

Reviewer, Amazon.com

Track listing – Roanoke, Panhandle Country, Cheyenne, Brown County Breakdown, Pike County Breakdown, Big Ball in Brooklyn, Big Sandy River, Crossing the Cumberlands, Louisville Breakdown, Salt Creek, Tallahassee, Texas Gallop, Going Up Caney, Shenandoah Breakdown, Kentucky Mandolin and Ashland Breakdown.

Share this:

About the Author

Richard Thompson

Richard F. Thompson is a long-standing free-lance writer specialising in bluegrass music topics. A two-time Editor of British Bluegrass News, he has been seriously interested in bluegrass music since about 1970. As well as contributing to that magazine, he has, in the past 30 plus years, had articles published by Country Music World, International Country Music News, Country Music People, Bluegrass Unlimited, MoonShiner (the Japanese bluegrass music journal) and Bluegrass Europe. He wrote the annotated series I'm On My Way Back To Old Kentucky, a daily memorial to Bill Monroe that culminated with an acknowledgement of what would have been his 100th birthday, on September 13, 2011.