Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys
Bands / Ensembles
Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (1939–1996) was a bluegrass band led by mandolinist and singer Bill Monroe. Monroe formed the band after the Monroe Brothers split in 1938 and named the new backing band for his home state of Kentucky. The genre of bluegrass takes its name from this band which is also considered the point of origin for its distinct style. The first edition likely included guitarist and singer Cleo Davis, fiddler Art Wooten and bassist Amos Garren who auditioned with Monroe for the Grand Ole Opry on October 23, 1939, and won a regular spot. Monroe stayed on the Opry for 57 years. Membership changed constantly, especially by the 1950s. Banjo player David "Stringbean" Akeman joined in 1942, and Sally Ann Forrester played accordion from 1943 to 1946. Guitarist Lester Flatt and banjo player Earl Scruggs were both in the band by December 1945, alongside fiddler Chubby Wise and bassist Howard Watts. That lineup's 28 recordings from 1946 and 1947 became foundational bluegrass standards. Flatt and Scruggs left in early 1948 and formed the Foggy Mountain Boys. Bessie Lee Mauldin played bass from 1953 to 1964. A 1966–67 lineup included Peter Rowan on guitar, Lamar Grier on banjo, Richard Greene on fiddle and Monroe's son James Monroe on bass. Southern Flavor, recorded with the band's 1988 lineup, won the first Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Recording in 1989. Monroe made his last Opry appearance on March 15, 1996, and died on September 9, 1996.