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 27, 1911 Elliott Thurman ‘Curly’ Bradshaw was born in Greensburg, Kentucky. Bradshaw played guitar and harmonica with the Blue Grass Boys during the period 1941 and into 1945. He participated in a recording session on February 13, 1945, playing second guitar alongside Tex Willis. *
- December 27, 1948 Single released – When You Are Lonely / It’s Mighty Dark to Travel (Columbia 20526) **
- December 27, 2002 CD released – Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky 1936-1949 (Bear Family BCD 16399 FL) ***
* Bradshaw has been described as “a journeyman guitarist, singer, and harmonica specialist.”
He worked as a member of Uncle Henry’s Kentucky Mountaineers, with whom he worked on Louisville’s Radio WHAS. He joined the Blue Grass Boys late in 1941, but war intervened and when he returned to the entertainment business he did so initially as a solo performer with a recording contract with the Acme record label.
Since a second guitar on any of the February 1945 cuts is inaudible, Bradshaw’s presence is questionable.
After leaving Bill Monroe, Bradshaw worked with Sunshine Sue and the Old Dominium Barn Dance gang at Radio WRVA, Richmond, Virginia.
** It’s Mighty Dark to Travel was recorded on October 27, 1947. When You Are Lonely was recorded during the following day. Lester Flatt sang lead on the verses of both songs.
*** Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky 1936-1949 6-CD box set – (Bear Family BCD 16399 FL)
This collection includes the 60 Monroe Brothers duets from 1936-38, all 16 of the 1940-41 performances released under Monroe’s own name, all Columbia Records sessions from 1945-49, every alternate take from the Columbia sessions, 50 previously unreleased out-takes and an LP-sized, illustrated, 88-page hardcover book.
Track listing –
1. My Long Journey Home, 2. What Is Home Without Love, 3. What Would You Give In Exchange, 4. Little Red Shoes, 5. Nine Pound Hammer Is Too Heavy, 6. On Some Foggy Mountain Top, 7. Drifting Too Far From the Shore, 8. In My Dear Old Southern Home, 9. New River Train, 10. World Is Not My Home, 11. Watermelon Am Hanging’ On That Vine, 12. On The Banks of The Ohio, 13. Do You Call That Religion,14. God Holds The Future In His Hands, 15. You’ve got to Walk That Lonesome Valley, 16. Six Months Ain’t Long, 17. Just a Song Of Old Kentucky, 18. Don’t Forget Me – 19. I’m Going, 20. Darling Corey, 21. My Saviour’s Train, 22. I Am Thinking Tonight Of The Old Folks, 23. Dreamed I Searched Heaven for You, 24. Old Cross Road, 5. Forgotten Soldier Boy, 26. I’ve Read of a Place Called Heaven, 28. Saints Go Marching In – 29. Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms, 30. Where Is My Sailor Boy, 31. I Am Ready To Go, 32. What Would The Profit Be, 33. Some Glad Day, 34. I Have Found The Way, 35. Kate Cline, 36. Roll On Buddy 37. Weeping Willow Tree, 38. I’ll Live On, 39. Oh Hide You In The Blood, 40. What Would You Give In Exchange [part 2], 41. On That Gospel Ship, 42. What Would You Give In Exchange [part 3], 43. Let Us Be Lovers Again, 44. All The Good Times Are Passed And Gone, 45. What Would You Give In Exchange [part 4], 46. On My Way to Glory, 47. My Last Moving Day, 48. He Will Set Your Fields On Fire, 49. Sinner You Better Get Ready, 50. Have A Feast Here Tonight, 51. Goodbye Maggie, 52. Rollin’ On, 53. Old Man’s Story 54. I’ve Still Got Ninety Nine, 55. Little Joe 56. Beautiful Life, 57. Pearly Gates, 58. On My Way Back Home, 59. When Our Lord Shall Come Again, 60. Mule Skinner Blues
61. No Letter in the Mail, 62. Cryin’ Holy unto the Lord, 63. Six White Horses, 64. Dog House Blues, 65. I Wonder If You Feel The Way I Do, 66. Katy Hill [instrumental], 67. Tennessee Blues, 68. Shake My Mother’s Hand For Me, 69. Were You There, 70. Blue Yodel No.7, 71. Coupon Song, 72. Orange Blossom Special, 73. Honky Tonk Swing [instrumental], 74. In the Pines, 75. Back up and Push [instrumental], 76. Rocky Road Blues, 77. Kentucky Waltz, 78. True Life Blues, 79. Nobody Loves Me, 80. Goodbye Old Pal, 81. Footprints in The Snow, 82. I’ll Have A New Life, 83. Bluegrass Special [instrumental], 84. Come Back To Me In My Dreams, 85. Heavy Traffic Ahead, 86. Why Did You Wander, 87. Blue Moon of Kentucky, 88. Blue Moon of Kentucky, 89. Toy Heart, 90. Summertime Is Past And Gone, 91. Mansions for Me, 92. Mother’s Only Sleeping, 93. Blue Yodel No.4, 94. Will You Be Loving Another Man, 95. How Will I Explain About You, 96. Shining Path, 97. Wicked Path of Sin, 98. I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky, 99. It’s Mighty Dark To Travel, 100. I Hear A Sweet Voice Calling, 101. Little Cabin Home On The Hill, 102. My Rose of Old Kentucky, 103. Bluegrass Breakdown [instrumental], 104. Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong, 105. Old Crossroad, 106. That Home Above, 107. Remember The Cross, 108. Little Community Church, 109. Along About Daybreak, 110. When You Are Lonely, 111. Molly and Tenbrooks, 112. Shine Hallelujah Shine, 113. I’m Travelling On And On, 114. Can’t You Hear Me Callin’, 115. Travellin’ This Lonely Road, 116. Bluegrass Stomp, 117. Girl in the Blue Velvet Band
118. Kentucky Waltz [take 2], 119. True Life Blues [takes 2/3/4], 120. Nobody Loves Me [takes breakdown 1 and 3], 121. Goodbye Old Pal [take 2], 122. Footprints In The Snow [take 2], 123. Bluegrass Special [instrumental takes 2 and 3], 124. Heavy Traffic Ahead [take 2], 125. Why Did You Wander [take 2], 126. Summertime Is Past and Gone [takes breakdown 1 and 2/take 2/take breakdown 3], 127. Blue Yodel No.4 [take 2], 128. Will You Be Loving Another Man [take 2], 129. How Will I Explain About You [takes 2 and 3], 130. Wicked Path of Sin [take 2], 131. It’s Mighty Dark to Travel [take 2], 132. I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky [take breakdown 2], 133. It’s Mighty Dark to Travel [take 3], 134. Little Cabin Home On The Hill [take 2], 135. My Rose Of Old Kentucky [take 2], 136. Bluegrass Breakdown [instrumental/takes 2 and 3], 137. Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong [takes breakdown 1 and 2/take 2 and 3], 138. Old Crossroad [takes breakdown 1/2/3/take 3], 139. That Home Above [take breakdown], 140. Remember The Cross [take 2], 141. Along About Daybreak [take 2], 142. Little Community Church [take breakdown 2], 143. Along About Daybreak [take breakdown], 144. Molly and Tenbrooks [take 2], 145. Shine Hallelujah Shine [take 2], 146. I’m Travelling On And On [take 2], 147. Can’t You Hear Me Callin’ [takes breakdown 2/3/4], 148. Travellin’ This Lonesone Road [take 2], 149. Bluegrass Stomp [instrumental/takes breakdown 2 and 3], 150. Girl in the Blue Velvet Band [takes 2 and 3].
