I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #245

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.

• June 2, 1927 Carl Roberts Butler was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. *
• June 2, 1952 Single released – When The Cactus Is In Bloom / Sailor’s Plea (Decca 9 – 28183, 78rpm)
• June 2, 1963 Jim Bessire [bass] played his first date, filling in as a Blue Grass Boy. **
• June 2, 1972 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys made a personal appearance at the three-day Bluegrass Bonanza Showcase, Indian Springs, Maryland.
• June 2, 1979 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys played the closing day’s show of the three-day Madison County Bluegrass Festival, Madison County, North Carolina, in what was billed as the 40th Anniversary of Bluegrass Music – Bill Monroe’s Homecoming.

* Carl Butler began working for Bill Monroe in the Fall of 1960 and played guitar during each of the three sessions that took place between then and the end of the year.

He didn’t sing on any of the 12 songs that were recorded at that time. All were included on the LP, Mr Blue Grass (Decca DL 4080), released on May 29, 1961.

** Jim Bessire was the first manager of the Bill Monroe Museum and Bluegrass Hall of Fame (opened on June 4, 1984) and later Monroe’s road manager (1991 to 1996).