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 12, 1960 Carolyn Minnie Brown Monroe was granted a divorce from Bill Monroe. *
- August 12, 1983 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys were top of the bill at Gilley’s First Bluegrass Festival at Gilley’s in Pasadena, Texas. Appearing with Bill Monroe were Chubby Wise, Mac Wiseman, Josh Graves and Wilma Lee Cooper.
* Bill Monroe married Carolyn Brown in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on October 18, 1936.
Bearing in mind Bill Monroe’s long relationship with Bessie Lee Mauldin, whom he first met about September 1941, it is perhaps surprising that Monroe’s marriage lasted nearly 24 years.
