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.
- July 24, 1965 Recording – Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island – Bill Monroe was recorded playing Walls of Time, Grey Eagle, Cotton-Eyed Joe and Shady Grove at a Newport Folk Festival workshop. The workshop, dedicated to mandolin and fiddle, was conducted by Bill Monroe and Peter Rowan with Tex Logan playing fiddle on Grey Eagle and Shady Grove. Later in the day during a concert performance he was recorded playing Mule Skinner Blues, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Walls of Time, Blue Yodel No. 4, Molly And Tenbrooks, Somebody Touched Me and Blue Grass Breakdown. With Bill Monroe on stage were Peter Rowan [guitar], Don Lineberger [banjo], Gene Lowinger, Tex Logan and Byron Berline [all playing fiddle] and James Monroe [bass]. Ralph Rinzler is thought to have sung the bass part on Somebody Touched Me. *
- July 24, 1990 Recording session – During an early evening session at the Reflections Studio in Nashville Bill Monroe and Mac Wiseman [lead vocal] recorded This World Is Not My Home. Additionally, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys recorded two quartet numbers: Cryin’ Holy Unto The Lord and Shine Hallelujah Shine. Tom Ewing [lead vocal / guitar], Blake Williams [baritone vocal / banjo], Billy Rose [bass] and Tater Tate [baritone and bass vocal / fiddle] provided instrumental and vocal support. The producer was Steve Buchanan. **
* The recordings were included on various Vanguard albums; all of the workshop on Newport Folk Festival Classics; Bluegrass Masters (V 77012-2), released in 1996, and all but Blue Yodel No. 4 and Molly And Tenbrooks, both of which are on (V 77012-2), are included on Newport Folk Festival Classics; Bluegrass Breakdown (VCD 77006), released in 1992.
** All three of the recordings were included on the LP Cryin’ Holy Unto The Lord (MCA-10017), released on April 30, 1991.
