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.
- December 22, 1958 Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys were featured on the early morning Opry Jamboree Show on WSM radio during this week, through to December 26.
- December 22, 1982 Recording session – Bill Monroe and the Gatlin Brothers, Larry, Rudy and Steve, recorded Is The Blue Moon Still Shining? for the Bill Monroe And Friends album (MCA-5435), released on January 12, 1984. The Blue Grass Boys present at the session were Wayne Lewis [guitar], Blake Williams [banjo], Mark Hembree [bass] and Kenny Baker [fiddle]. They were augmented by Dale Sellers [guitar] and Hoot Hester [fiddle]. Walter Haynes was the producer.
- December 22, 2001 The auction of Bill Monroe memorabilia took place at the new Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. *
* Among the pieces for auction were six mandolins, furniture, jewelry, awards, signed items, household goods, canceled checks, old photographs, farming clothes, canes and walking sticks, costumes and hats. (Monroe’s famed Gibson F-5 Lloyd Loar model mandolin was sold this summer, (Ed: 2001), to the Bill Monroe Foundation of Rosine, Kentucky.)
The first two hours of the auction was carried simultaneously on eBay, the Internet auction service, during which bids were taken on the premium 100 items of the approximately 600 on the block.
The sale / auction, was the final liquidation of Monroe estate memorabilia.
NB : The sale of the Gibson F-5 Lloyd Loar model mandolin did not proceed and currently it is on display at the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum.
