I’m Going Back To Old Kentucky #306

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.

  • August 2, 1892 J B Monroe and Malissa Ann Vandiver were married near Horton, Kentucky.  *
  • August 2, 1931 Lowell ‘Abie’ Denman was born. **
  • August 2, 1954 Single released – Happy On My Way / He Will Set Your Fields on Fire (Decca 9 – 29196)
  • August 2, 1991 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys made a personal appearance at the 1st Annual Bluegrass Festival at Boyd Country Rural Lions Club, Boyd C.O. H.S Football and Band Boosters, Cannonsburg, Kentucky.

* J B and Malissa Monroe were the parents of eight children including the very musically gifted boys, Bill, Charlie and Birch.

After the wedding Malissa joined J B in living close by Jerusalem Ridge, where the Monroes had settled as far back as 1832.

** Lowell Denman filled in on fiddle.

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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.