I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #248

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 5, 1948 A recording of New Mule Skinner Blues, as performed on the Grand Ole Opry, was made.  *
  • June 5, 1965 Gene Lowinger [fiddle] joined the Blue Grass Boys. **

* It was used as the opening track on the CD Live At The Grand Ole Opry [MCAD 42286], which was released on March 10, 1998.

** Gene Lowinger was the first Northerner to play the fiddle for Bill Monroe, and only the third on any instrument, after Bill Keith and Peter Rowan.

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About the Author

Richard Thompson

Richard F. Thompson is a long-standing free-lance writer specialising in bluegrass music topics. A two-time Editor of British Bluegrass News, he has been seriously interested in bluegrass music since about 1970. As well as contributing to that magazine, he has, in the past 30 plus years, had articles published by Country Music World, International Country Music News, Country Music People, Bluegrass Unlimited, MoonShiner (the Japanese bluegrass music journal) and Bluegrass Europe. He wrote the annotated series I'm On My Way Back To Old Kentucky, a daily memorial to Bill Monroe that culminated with an acknowledgement of what would have been his 100th birthday, on September 13, 2011.