I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #345

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 10, 1995 Bill Monroe made his last appearance at a festival at his Bean Blossom festival park and campground, playing a Sunday morning gospel set on the closing day of The 21st Annual Hall Of Fame And Uncle Pen Days gathering. *
  • September 10, 2008 Book published – Bill Monroe & Friends (Inside the life of Bill Monroe) – Javonda Smith (Infinity Publishing) **
  • September 10, 2010 The International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM), Owensboro, Kentucky, opened its Bill Monroe Exhibition. The items exhibited included Uncle Pen’s fiddle and the famous headstock veneer from Monroe’s mandolin.  ***

* Tom Adler, author of the recently published book Bean Blossom – The Brown County Jamboree and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Festivals, recalls…

“I have only a general memory of Bill’s last appearance at Bean Blossom in Sept., 1995.  I do recall how tired and frail he looked, especially offstage, but the act of coming onto the stage always energized him, renewing his vitality (at least temporarily) while he led the Blue Grass Boys in yet another show for his fans and the Bean Blossom “family” of friends and supporters.  At those times, he would again seem to be the unconquerably strong showman and bandleader that he had been so many times before on the outdoor stage at Bean Blossom.”

** “This book is an inside look at the life of the legendary William (Bill) Smith Monroe. I will show pictures of his life on and offstage and at home on his farm in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.” Javonda Smith (Infinity Publishing)

*** Located on the first floor of the museum, this exhibition tells the story of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music. In addition to seeing items from his estate, you can learn about Monroe’s early years and how he came to create this music.

Additionally, there is an art exhibition that includes original paintings, drawings, pottery and other craftwork celebrating the life and music of Bill Monroe.

The IBMM is located on Daviess Street, between the Ohio River and Second Street, in Owensboro.

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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.