This response to our article last week, Who’s the real Father of Bluegrass, is a contribution from Richard D. Smith, a mandolin player based in Somerset County, NJ, and the author of Bluegrass: An Informal Guide and Can't You Hear Me
Bill Monroe
Who’s the real Father of Bluegrass?
This Saturday, the Grand Ole Opry celebrates the 75th birthday of bluegrass music. It's certainly a cause for celebration. But, for me at least, it's also a time for reflection and the sharing of a belief that I’ve held for
Scott Napier offers another LP “must have” mandolin records giveaway
Scott Napier, professional bluegrass mandolinist and Associate Professor at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, is doing another giveaway from his rich collection of bluegrass albums. Back in August, he did this once before, giving away five classic
Bill Monroe in the Time of COVID – 2020 Monroe Mandolin Camp online
This report on the first ever virtual Monroe Mandolin Camp is a contribution from Theresa Seiders, a voice-over artist and audio editor in Columbus, Ohio. Oh... and a serious student and lover of the mandolin. It's a chilly pre-fall morning in central
Monroe Style Mandolin Improvising course with Chris Henry
Chris Henry, noted Bill Monroe mandolin stylist, has announced a new way to learn how to play like Big Mon. He has launched a Monroe Style Improvising course for players who are already familiar with the basics of this building
Moments in Bluegrass: BG75 #9 – Bill Emerson meets Bill Monroe
Following an invitation that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) extended to its members that they share a memory from "75 years of bluegrass," we thought that we would collect a few to share with you. Bill Emerson is considered to
Moments in Bluegrass BG75 #2 – Bill Monroe comments on Bonnie and Clyde
Following an invitation that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) extended to its members that they share a memory from “75 years of bluegrass,” we thought that we would collect a few to share with you. Kathy Kallick is a co-founder
Bill Monroe statue moved from The Ryman for repair
Bluegrass and early country music fans have taken great pride in the Bill Monroe statue displayed outside The Ryman Auditorium since its installation in June of 2017. Countless fans have had their picture taken with the bronze sculpture on visits
Monte Warden remembers Bill Monroe – These Eggs Are Special, Ain’t They?
This detailed remembrance of the Father of Bluegrass is a contribution from Monte Warden. During the late 1980s, Warden got to know Bill Monroe while working twin bill shows with his band, The Wagoneers, who were an extremely popular "young
Bill Monroe Dr. Pepper spot from 1975 surfaces online
Many thanks are due to Dave Houle who found this classic Bill Monroe clip from 1975 and has shared it on YouTube. It finds Bill and the Blue Grass Boys in the studio recording a jingle for Dr. Pepper, during which