I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #120

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 28, 1938 Monroe Brothers recording session – In their last session together Bill Monroe and Charlie Monroe recorded 10 songs at a field studio in the Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina.  The titles concerned were Have A Feast Here Tonight, Goodbye Maggie, Rollin’ On, The Old Man’s Story, I’ve Still Got Ninety-Nine, Little Joe, A Beautiful Life, Pearly Gates, On My Way Back Home and When Our Lord Shall Come Again and each was released on a Bluebird single from April to July of 1938. Eli Oberstein was the producer.
  • January 28, 1955 Recording Session – During an evening session for Decca Records at Bradley Studio in Hillsboro Village, Nashville, Bill Monroe recorded two Gospel quartets Wait A Little Longer, Please Jesus and Let the Light Shine Down On Me. The musicians assisting were Jackie Phelps [guitar], William Killen [bass], and Bobby Hicks and Charlie Cline [fiddle]. Hicks only played fiddle on the first of the numbers. Typical of Gospel recordings, there wasn’t any banjo on either recording. The vocalists were Bill Monroe [lead and tenor], Phelps [lead], Cline [baritone] and Hicks [bass]. *
  • January 28, 1964 Recording Session – Following on from the session of the previous day, another evening session took place at the Columbia Recording Studio wherein Bill Monroe recorded One of God’s Sheep, Roll On Buddy, Roll On and Legend Of The Blue Ridge Mountains for Decca Records. Assisting were Del McCoury [guitar], Joe Drumright [banjo], Bessie Lee Mauldin [bass], and the twin fiddles of Benny Williams and Joe Stuart.  Again the producer was Harry Silverstein and the leader was Owen Bradley.
  • January 28, 1984 The ‘live’ recording of a two-concert showcase at the Bottom Line club in New York City was broadcast on the Silver Eagle Cross Country Music Show during this evening.
  • January 28, 1984 SPBGMA honoured Bill Monroe by making him the premier inductee to their Preservation Hall of Greats during the SPBGMA 10th Annual Awards ceremony, held in the Presidential Ballroom at the Opryland Hotel, Opryland, Nashville.

* Both songs were released on a single (Decca 29436), released on February 28, 1955.

They were subsequently included on the LP A Voice from on High (Decca DL 7-5135), released on June 30, 1969.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.