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.
- January 20, 1951 Recording Session – Bill Monroe recorded Letter from My Darlin’, a reference to a Bessie Lee Mauldin ‘Dear John’ letter. Other songs recorded at the same session at the Castle Studio, The Tulane Hotel, were On the Old Kentucky Shore and Poison Love along with the hot mandolin tune Raw Hide. The participating Blue Grass Boys were Jimmy Martin [guitar], Rudy Lyle [banjo], Joel Price [bass] and Red Taylor [fiddle]. Paul Cohen was the producer. *
- January 20, 1971 Recording Session – Bill Monroe recorded three instrumentals, Jenny Lynn, Heel and Toe Polka and Millenburg Joy for MCA Records. At the evening session at Bradley’s Barn, Mount Juliet, were James Monroe [guitar], Bobby Thompson [banjo] and Joe Stuart [bass], and Kenny Baker and Buddy Spicher [both played fiddle]. The producer was Walter Haynes and the leader was Bill Monroe. **
- January 20, 2006 EverGreen Copyrights Acquisitions LLC purchased the assets of Bill Monroe Music Publishing, which consists of approximately 300 songs written by the Father of Bluegrass Music and other writers. ***
* On the Old Kentucky Shore and Poison Love were paired on a single (Decca 46298) released on March 5, 1951.
Letter from My Darlin’ and Raw Hide were paired on a single (Decca 46392) released on January 21, 1952.
** Jenny Lynn and Heel and Toe Polka were released on Bill Monroe’s Uncle Pen LP (Decca DL 7-5348) released on June 1, 1972.
*** The catalog includes such perennial hits as Blue Moon of Kentucky (performed by Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline and many others, as well as Bill Monroe), Uncle Pen, Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms, Bluegrass Breakdown and Walk Softly On My Heart.
BMG Rights Management acquired Evergreen Copyright Acquisitions LLC on September 20, 2010.
