The Monroe Brothers

about

bill monroe (William Smith Monroe) (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader. He is often referred to as The Father of Bluegrass. In 1929, Monroe moved to Indiana to work at an oil refinery with his brothers Birch, Charlie, and childhood friend & guitarist William "Old Hickory" Hardin. Together with a friend Larry Moore, they formed a musical group, the Monroe Brothers, to play at local dances and house parties. Birch Monroe and Larry Moore soon left the group, and Bill and Charlie carried on as a duo, eventually winning spots performing live on radio stations— first in Indiana and then, sponsored by Texas Crystals, on several radio broadcasts in Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina and North Carolina 1934 to 1936. RCA Victor signed the Monroe Brothers to a recording contract in 1936. They scored an immediate hit single with the gospel song "What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul?" and ultimately recorded 60 tracks for Victor's Bluebird label between 1936 and 1938. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

top songs

albums

Birth Of Bluegrass, Vol. 2

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The Essential Bill Monroe

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Just a Song of Old Kentucky

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The Essential Bill Monroe & The Monroe Brothers

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I'm Bound To Ride

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Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour: The Best Of The Second Series

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The Monroe Brothers (Doxy Collection)

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Bona Fide Bluegrass and Mountain Music

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The Monroe Brothers Complete RCA Victor Bluebird Recordings, Vol. 1

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Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music, Vol. 4 [Disc 1]

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TTRH2 - 07 - Head To Toe

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The History Of Country & Western Music - Vol. 5

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