It's no exaggeration to call Bill Monroe one of the most influential and important musicians America has ever produced. He's the undisputed father of bluegrass music: The style itself was created by and named for his band, The Blue Grass Boys, in the late '40s.
Along with Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers, Monroe — who died in 1996 — created a sound as distinctive as any musical genre in the world. Over the years, Monroe's bands have included a true "Who's Who" list of bluegrass and country musicians. His influence has woven itself into country, folk, rock and jazz.
It was late in Bill Monroe's career — May 21, 1989, to be exact — when he made this visit to Mountain Stage, but his spirit and energy were as strong as ever. "Give me a call if you ever need a mandolin player in the Mountain Stage band," he told host Larry Groce. There's no doubt he would have been up to the task.
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