The sixth annual Monroe Style Tune Writing Contest is underway, presented by Noya Mountain Music, The Murphy Method, and the Monroe Mandolin Camp. Designed to ensure that new instrumental music of the sort written by Bill Monroe during his lifetime continues
Bill Monroe
Uncle Pen’s Cabin in Rosine, KY listed for sale
James Monroe, son of Bill, has announced that he has listed the property atop Tuttle Hill in Kentucky which includes Uncle Pen's cabin, for sale. This is the rebuilt cabin home of Bill Monroe's greatest inspiration, his uncle, fiddler Pendleton
A phone call from Kenny Baker, with Randall Franks
Here's a couple of names for you... Kenny Baker and Randall Franks. Anyone who follows bluegrass knows of Kenny Baker, widely regarded as among the finest fiddlers to ever play the music, and certainly the chief exemplar of Bill Monroe's
Lonnie Hoppers passes
Noted Missouri banjo player, and former Blue Grass Boy, Lonnie Hoppers, died on November 17 at home in his sleep. He was 89 years of age. Lonnie was a member of Bill Monroe's band from September 1962 until January of the
Former Blue Grass Boy, Bill Simpson, passes
Former Blue Grass Boy banjoist, Bill Simpson, 90, of Oakboro, NC, passed away on September 18, 2024. In a 2017 interview, the multi-instrumentalist shared with me his history in music. "At twelve years old, my Uncle Jim taught me to play
Bobby Hicks passes
Bobby Hicks with a fiddle he bought from Birch Monroe - photo © Lincoln Hensley Fiddler Bobby Hicks, surely among the most celebrated and enduring musicians to ever play bluegrass music, has died from complications of heart disease. After suffering a
Bill Monroe’s home and property up for sale
The 244 acre property owned by Bill Monroe for more than 40 years in Goodlettsville, TN is listed for sale, including the home he lived in until his passing in 1996. Unless a private sale can be arranged, the property
Tom Gray inducted into Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame
Tom Gray is inducted into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame - photos by Barb Diederich Iconic bassist, Tom Gray, was inducted into Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Bean Blossom, IN last month. In the ceremony, coinciding with
The beat goes on: George Gruhn talks bluegrass, and his new guitar line
George Gruhn at Gruhn Guitars - photo © Alan Goforth This set of reflections on bluegrass from George Gruhn is a contribution from Alan Goforth, a professional journalist, author, and aspiring screenwriter in suburban Kansas City. He writes about music regularly,
Bill Monroe bust on display at Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame
Thanks to a long term loan from the Grand Ole Opry, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum now has the bronze sculpture of Bill Monroe made by Steve Shields on display in their lobby. An official unveiling ceremony was










