I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #209

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.

Bill Monroe – the Centennial Year

“Bluegrass has brought more people together and made more friends than any music in the world. You meet people at festivals and renew acquaintances year after year.”

Bill Monroe

We invited Karen Miller, the Executive Director of the Owensboro Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau to provide a snapshot of what has been happening as they and the International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM) celebrate Bill Monroe’s life and his hundredth year.

“Our website, billmonroe100birthday.com, is updated daily with new festivals throughout the state as well as video tributes to Bill Monroe.

We also have a Facebook page that has received hits from around the world. Many folks have shared their memories of meeting Bill for the first time, or the impression he made on their lives.

The site will keep everyone up to date on the most current schedule for the big birthday celebration in September.

This truly will be a once in a lifetime experience which will include the opportunity to see and hear all the active members of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

During the celebration days, September 10th thru September 13th, folks will see the opening of The Blue Grass Boys Centennial Exhibit, the premiere of a new musical, Young Monroe, world premiere of IBMM’s new feature length documentary film, The Bluegrass Boys: Tales of Bill Monroe, told by three generations of members of his band and much more.

This will be the event of the year!”

The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band from New Zealand pay their own tribute to Bill Monroe in this video that shows some of the sights in and around Rosine, KY.

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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.