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 16, 1973 Recording session at Bean Blossom – Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys recorded Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8), You Won’t Be Satisfied That Way, Uncle Pen and Blue Moon of Kentucky in a set during Bill Monroe’s 7th Annual Bluegrass Festival at Bill Monroe’s Brown County Jamboree, Route 135, Bean Blossom, Indiana. During a second set they recorded Roll on Buddy, I Wonder Where You Are Tonight and Orange Blossom Special. The Blue Grass Boys were Bob Fowler [guitar], Kenny Baker [fiddle], Jack Hicks [banjo] and Guy Stevenson [bass]. Later they were joined by Jesse McReynolds [mandolin], Jim McReynolds [guitar], James Monroe [guitar] and Carl Jackson [banjo]. Walter Haynes and Snuffy Miller were the producers and Bill Monroe was the leader. *
- June 16, 1979 Recording session at Bean Blossom – At Bill Monroe’s 13th Annual Bluegrass Festival at Bill Monroe’s Brown County Jamboree, Route 135, Bean Blossom, Indiana, Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys recorded Watermelon Hangin’ On The Vine (Intro) / John Henry, Dog House Blues, The Old Mountaineer, Little Cabin Home On The Hill, Orange Blossom Special and Y’all Come. Assisting Bill Monroe were Wayne Lewis [guitar], Butch Robins [banjo], Randy Davis [bass] and Kenny Baker [fiddle]. The producers were Walter Haynes and Ron Chancey, and Wayne Lewis was the leader. Little Cabin Home on the Hill was re-recorded in the studio with just mandolin, guitar and fiddle. **
- June 16, 1990 Recording session at Bill Monroe’s Brown County Jamboree, Route 135, Bean Blossom, Indiana. Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys recorded Why Did You Wander? The Old Home Town, Bluegrass Breakdown, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Southern Flavor, A Beautiful Life, Wheel Hoss, I Want To Go With You, Soldier’s Joy, Uncle Pen and Watermelon On The Vine (Theme). During a second set they recorded My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling, Take Me Home, Crossing The Cumberlands, My Rose of Old Kentucky, Kentucky Waltz, Come Hither To Go Yonder, Cryin’ Holy Unto The Lord, Northern White Clouds, Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine, Rocky Road Blues, Soldier’s Joy, It’s Mighty Dark To Travel, Dog House Blues, Watermelon On The Vine, Uncle Pen, Dusty Miller, Happy Birthday and Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms. Making up the Blue Grass Boys during these sets were Tom Ewing [guitar], Blake Williams [banjo], Tater Tate [fiddle] and Billy Rose [bass]. ***
* All of the recordings were included on the double-LP set Bean Blossom (MCA 2-8002), released on November 1, 1973.
** All of the recordings were included on the LP Bill Monroe: Bean Blossom ’79 (MCA-3209), released on February 15, 1998.
*** These recording of were made by Steve Gebhardt for his documentary film Bill Monroe: Father of American Bluegrass (first released in VHS format by Original Cinema, OC-1001), released on May 31, 1993.
Some were also released as audio tracks on the Copper Creek album Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys Live, Vol. 1 (distributed as RHY-1015 by Rural Rhythm), released on February 19, 2002
