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 6, 1928 Don Stover was born in Artie, West Virginia. *
- March 6, 1937 Douglas Flint ‘Doug’ Dillard was born in Salem, Missouri. **
* Don Stover played banjo for Bill Monroe for about six months during 1957 and in that time he participated in three recording sessions.
These sessions produced 11 recordings including a remake of Molly and Tenbrooks.
Other songs recorded included A Good Woman’s Love, Cry Cry Darlin’, Out in the Cold World and Come Back to Me in My Dreams. All of these are among the tracks on the LP Knee Deep in Blue Grass (Decca DL 8731), released on June 23, 1958.
** Doug Dillard filled-in, playing banjo for one day only; on May 12, 1967.
Dillard is best known as a founder of the Ozarks bluegrass group The Dillards with brother Rodney [guitar], Dean Webb [mandolin] and Mitch Jayne [bass]. During the six years that this quartet was together they released three LPs; Backporch Bluegrass, Live … Almost, and Pickin’ and Fiddlin’ each of them a classic.
Based in California, they got a job on the Andy Griffith Show playing a part of a family of slow-witted hillbillies, The Darlin’ Family.
For many years Dillard led his own band and recorded both with his band and solo. He played a part in the film Popeye, which starred Robin Williams.
Doug and Rodney got together again in 2001 and along with the other members of the original band appeared at Carnegie Hall in one of many reunion shows that they played.
In 2009 The Dillards were inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame.
