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.
- September 17, 1936 Melissa Kathleen Monroe was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. *
- September 17, 1946 Recording session – On the second successive day of recordings for Columbia Records Bill Monroe recorded Will You Be Loving Another Man? How Will I Explain About You? Shining Path and Wicked Path Of Sin. The other personnel involved in this afternoon session were Lester Flatt [vocal/guitar], Earl Scruggs [banjo], Howard Watts [bass/bass vocal] and Chubby Wise [fiddle]. The producer was Art Satherley. **
- September 17, 1986 Roy Huskey Jr. filled in, on bass, with the Blue Grass Boys.
* Melissa Monroe was the older child of Bill and Caroline Monroe.
[As a 14 year old young teenager] she recorded for Columbia Records who released four 78rpm singles; Oh How I Miss You / Guilty Tears (20752, 11/50), Stop, Look And Listen / You Rule My Heart (4-20783, 02/51), Oceans Of Tears / Peppermint Sticks And Lemons Drops (4-20856, 08/51) and I’m Waiting Just For You / There’s No Room In My Heart (4-20868, 10/51). [This corrects information posted on December 3, see I’m Going back to Old Kentucky #64]
She toured with her father in the early 1960s and often joined him whenever he played at the Belle Cove, singing her own composition Is The Blue Moon Still Shining?, a song that Monroe recorded on November 9, 1967 and December 22, 1982.
Melissa Monroe didn’t enjoy the best of health from the 1960s onwards and her father was very protective of her.
** A recording of all songs was included in the collection The Essential Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys, 1945-1949 (Columbia C2K-52478) released in 1992.
There were several alternate takes during this session. All the recordings were included in the Bear Family Records set Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky 1936-1949 (BCD 16399 FL) released in 2002.
