September 9, 1996, Springfield, Tennessee, United States
Spouse
Della Streeter
Fact
Considered the "Father of Bluegrass". The term bluegrass came from the name of Monroe's band -- the Blue Grass Boys.
Bill Monroe was born on September 13, 1911 in Rosine, Kentucky. He was the youngest of eight children born to James Buchanan Monroe and Malissa Vandiver Monroe. His father was a farmer and his mother was a homemaker. Monroe began playing the mandolin at the age of six, and by the age of ten he was playing in a local band called The Monroe Brothers. In 1929, Monroe moved to Indiana to play with The Kentucky Partners. He then moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he played with The Bluegrass Boys.
In 1936, Monroe formed his own band, The Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys. The band became one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the country. They recorded their first album in 1939, and their second album in 1940. In 1946, Monroe and his band appeared on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. They became regulars on the show, and Monroe became known as the “Father of Bluegrass Music.
” In 1950, Monroe and his band toured Europe, becoming the first bluegrass band to do so. In 1955, they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. In 1967, Monroe was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He continued to tour and perform until his death on September 9, 1996. ..
General Info
Full Name
Bill Monroe
Died
September 9, 1996, Springfield, Tennessee, United States
Profession
Singer, Music artist, Uncle Pen, Footprints in the Snow, Wayfaring Stranger
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Della Streeter
Children
James Monroe, Melissa Monroe, Uncle Pen, Footprints in the Snow, Wayfaring Stranger
Parents
Malissa Vandiver Monroe, James Buchanan Monroe, Uncle Pen, Footprints in the Snow, Wayfaring Stranger
Siblings
Charlie Monroe, Birch Monroe, Bertha Monroe, Uncle Pen, Footprints in the Snow, Wayfaring Stranger
Accomplishments
Awards
Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Academy of Country Music Awards Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, Uncle Pen, Footprints in the Snow, Wayfaring Stranger
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance