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.
- March 27, 1962 Tatsuya Imai was born in Shiga, Japan. *
- March 27, 1963 Recording session – During an evening session at the Columbia Recording Studio Bill Monroe recorded three nstrumentals; Pike County Breakdown, Shenandoah Breakdown and Santa Claus. Accompanying Bill Monroe were Jackie Phelps [guitar], Bill Keith [banjo], Bessie Lee Mauldin [bass] and Kenny Baker [fiddle]. The producer was Harry Silverstein and Owen Bradley was the studio leader. **
* Imai played bass with the Blue Grass Boys on the first of five dates during Bill Monroe’s Japanese tour. The tour took place shortly after Kenny Baker left the band [October 20, 1984]. He first heard bluegrass music on the radio while a junior high school student. He took up the bass while in college and now plays with Japanese Bluegrass Band and the Kyoto-based group Rosine.
** This was the second session for Bill Keith, who played the first part of Pike County Breakdown in the style of Earl Scruggs before playing the rest of the tune in his own chromatic style.
