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 18, 1965 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys were among the performers who presented the ‘Grassroots To Bluegrass To Nashville’ day at the first New York Folk Festival, at Carnegie Hall, New York City.
- June 18, 2011 Republican Indiana State Representative Eric A. Koch visited the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park to present a resolution that he authored noting the 100th year anniversary of Bill Monroe’s birth.
“For almost a year, I hosted a radio show from Little Roy Wiggins music store, which was located across the street from Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway in Nashville. The radio station was owned by Mary Reeves, Jim’s widow, and Opry stars were featured guests every Saturday before the Saturday matinee was played at the Ryman Auditorium.
One of the Opry members cancelled her engagement on the show one week so I was short a featured Opry guest for the next day’s program. I went back stage at the Ryman on Friday night and the first artist I saw was Bill Monroe. I told him I was in a bind for the next days radio show and all he wanted to know was what time he should be there. I called on Bill for his help two or three more times that year and the Father of Bluegrass never let me down. Bill Monroe was something special.”
Bill Morrison – Member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Compiler ‘On This Day in Country Music’
