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 25, 1951 Single released – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot / Angels Rock Me to Sleep (Decca 9 – 46325, 78rpm)
- June 25, 1967 The second day of the First Annual Blue Grass Celebration held in the barn at the Brown County Jamboree, Bean Blossom, Indiana.
- June 25, 1987 Boudleaux Bryant died of cancer in the Baptist Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. He was aged 67. *
* Boudleaux Bryant sang bass on Walking in Jerusalem, the recording of which took place on July 18, 1952.
He was best known as for the many country music songs that he wrote; often co-wrote with his wife Felice.
A classical violinist to begin with, Bryant wrote Little Jimmy Dickens’ Country Boy, which went to No. 7 on the Billboard country music charts in the summer of 1949 and opened the door to a working relationship with Fred Rose at Acuff-Rose Music. Most profitable was the Bryant’s association with the Everly Brothers, who recorded Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have to do is Dream and Love Hurts.
In bluegrass music circles, their song Rocky Top proved to be tremendously popular both for the songwriters and the Osborne Brothers whose Decca recording became a Billboard Top 50 hit, peaking at #33 on March 16, 1968.
