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 29, 1872 Ten Broeck ‘folded’ (foaled) at Nantura Stock Farm, Woodford County, Kentucky. Tenbrooks, as the thoroughbred big bay horse is better known, was commemorated by Bill Monroe in his song Molly And Tenbrooks.
- June 29, 1970 LP Released – Kentucky Blue Grass (Decca DL 5213) *
- June 29, 1984 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys appeared with the Osborne Brothers, Mac Wiseman and Damon Black at the 1st Annual Bluegrass Festival, Big River Bend Park, Bonne Terre, Missouri.
- June 29, 1990 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys hosted Bill Monroe’s ‘Tarheel’ North Carolina Bluegrass Festival at Greenhills Music Park, Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
- June 29, 1999 DVD released – Bill Monroe – The Father Of Bluegrass Music (WinStar Home Entertainment WHE 73040) **
* Kentucky Blue Grass, 11 tracks
Track listing – I Live In The Past, Cripple Creek, Last Ole Dollar, Long Black Veil, Log Cabin In The Lanek, I Want To Go With You, Kentucky Mandolin, Sally Goodin, Never Again (Will I Knock On Your Door), Is The Blue Moon Still Shining and Fire On The Mountain.
(re-issued in 1973 on MCA-136)
** This is the DVD version of the Steve Gebhardt documentary that was released in VHS format on the Original Cinema label released on May 31, 1993.
Synopsis – Bill Monroe was inarguably the single most important and influential figure in the history of bluegrass music. Fusing the fiddle and mandolin sounds of the eastern Kentucky hills with the guitars of rural blues and adding a streamlined speed and emotional passion to the music, Monroe was truly the father of bluegrass and a brilliant musician by any standards. This program features performances by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, with interviews and performances from a host of special guests, including Dolly Parton, Lester Flat, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Garcia, John Hartford, Marty Stuart, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Tim O’Brien and noted bluegrass authority Paul McCartney.
