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.
- September 28, 1941 The “Grand Opening” of the Brown County Jamboree was held on the current Bean Blossom park grounds in a large rented tent (a four-top “circus tent”). *
- September 28, 2011 Concert – A concert, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Bill Monroe’s birth, took place at Ingram Hall at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. **
* Prior to the “Grand Opening”, the show that was then called “the Brown County Jamboree” had been operating at a nearby restaurant site.
The premiere show, hosted by property owner Francis Rund, featured numerous artists, including the Hoosier Vagabonds, Kentucky Slim, Lane’s Mountaineers, the Brown County Buckeroos, the Brown County Fiddlers, Margie and Dot (the Singing Cowgirls), the Morgantown String Band, the Day Sisters, the Nashville Ramblers, George Scott ,the Shelby County Farm Hands, Tennessee Red and the Van Buren String Busters.
The music on offer was a mixture of whatever was popular on the Grand Ole Opry at the time and local square-dance instrumentals.
** The Del McCoury Band, Ricky Skaggs, the Nashville Bluegrass Band and former Blue Grass Boy Roland White took part in a multi-media musical programme at Ingram Hall, Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, in Nashville.
The concert was sponsored by the Country Music Hall of Fame(R) and Museum and the Foundation for Bluegrass Music.
