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 26, 1962 EP released – Lonesome Wind Blues, Linda Lou, Thinking about You and Put My Rubber Doll Away. (Decca ED 2713)
- March 26, 1969 Recording session – During an evening session at Columbia Recording Studio Bill Monroe recorded I Haven’t Seen Mary in Years, Fireball Mail and The Dead March. Accompanying Bill Monroe were James Monroe [guitar], Rual Yarbrough [banjo], Joe Zinkan [bass] and Kenny Baker and Red Hayes [both playing fiddle]. The producer was Harry Silverstein.*
- March 26, 1970 Recording session – During an evening session at Bradley’s Barn Bill Monroe recorded Road of Life, It’s Me Again Lord, Beyond the Gate and I Will Sing For the Glory of God. At the session also were James Monroe [guitar], Rual Yarbrough [banjo] and Kenny Baker [fiddle]. The bass was over-dubbed at a later date, by an unknown player. The producer was Harry Silverstein. **
- March 26, 1987 Bill Monroe received a loan from the Bank of Goodlettsville, a re-mortgage for the 288 acre farm in Summer County, Tennessee.
* This was the first session after James Monroe’s switch from bass to playing guitar with the Blue Grass Boys.
James Monroe sang lead on I Haven’t Seen Mary in Years and the recording was included on the Bill Monroe and James Monroe: Father & Son LP (MCA-310).
** Each was arranged as a vocal quartet, with Bill Monroe and James Monroe sharing the lead and tenor duties, Yarbrough singing baritone and Culley Holt singing the bass part.
All of the recordings were included on the LP Road of Life (MCA 426).
