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.
- August 3, 1937 Monroe Brothers recording session -During an afternoon session at the Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, the Monroe Brothers, Charlie Monroe [vocal/guitar] and Bill Monroe [vocal/mandolin], recorded What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul? – Part 2, On That Old Gospel Ship, What Would You Give In Exchange? – Part 3, Let Us Be Lovers Again, All The Good Times Are Passed And Gone, What Would You Give In Exchange? – Part 4, On My Way To Glory, My Last Moving Day, He Will Set Your Fields On Fire and Sinner, You Better Get Ready. *
- August 3, 1951 Rudy Lyle [banjo] terminated his first stint as a Blue Grass Boy.
- August 3, 1953 Tony Conway was born in Louisville, Kentucky. **
- August 3, 1980 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys played the Fishingcreek Confederacy 1st Annual Bluegrass Festival at Benton Park, Benton, Pennsylvania.
* In various pairings, these recordings were released on singles during the following six months.
** Tony Conway acted as Bill Monroe’s agent from about 1978 and, later, as his manager until Monroe’s death in September 1996. His early interest in music manifested as a drummer in a high school dance band and continued through his college years. By the age of 16, he had begun promoting concerts and he soon worked his way into the business end of the music industry.
After graduating from Northwood University, West Baden, Indiana, he opened his first talent agency in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1976, Conway moved to Nashville and went to work as an agent for Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc..
From late 1985 Conway started managing Monroe, charging him only for the dates that he booked.
In July 1987 he was appointed to the position of President of Buddy Lee Attractions, a role that he terminated in November 2009.
In 2010 Conway formed Conway Entertainment Group, a full-service talent agency combining live events, booking and talent management. Widely recognized as a leader in the live entertainment field, he is the recipient of numerous industry awards.
