Bluegrass Musician. Considered by many as the "Father of American Bluegrass Music", he helped popularize the music genre. The name was taken from his band "The Bluegrass Boys" which for half a century promoted this style of music. He was born into a family of musicians in Rosine, Kentucky. By the age of ten he was playing the mandolin. Before reaching his teen years, his parents died and he went to live with an uncle who happened to be a locally famous "fiddle" player. The young musician was soon performing in his uncle's band. During this time he met a blues entertainer, Arnold Shultz, who became a major influence on the Bluegrass legend's musical career. At the age of eighteen, he moved to East Chicago, Indiana where he and his brothers worked in an oil refinery during the day and played music in the evening. "The Monroe Brothers" became a regional success and soon they were asked to perform regularly on a Chicago radio station. In 1936, the band was given a recording contract. The band was moderately successful recording a few minor hits. Two years later the group parted ways and Bill organized a new band seeking to combine the old country string sound with a blues vocal style. The new sound was extremely popular and by 1946 "The Bluegrass Boys" were touring the country and appearing regularly on the radio. Some of his hits included "Kentucky Waltz," Footprints in the Snow" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970, the first class of the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. He is the only performer to be honored by all three. In 1993 The he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three years later he died from a complications caused by a stroke.
Bluegrass Musician. Considered by many as the "Father of American Bluegrass Music", he helped popularize the music genre. The name was taken from his band "The Bluegrass Boys" which for half a century promoted this style of music. He was born into a family of musicians in Rosine, Kentucky. By the age of ten he was playing the mandolin. Before reaching his teen years, his parents died and he went to live with an uncle who happened to be a locally famous "fiddle" player. The young musician was soon performing in his uncle's band. During this time he met a blues entertainer, Arnold Shultz, who became a major influence on the Bluegrass legend's musical career. At the age of eighteen, he moved to East Chicago, Indiana where he and his brothers worked in an oil refinery during the day and played music in the evening. "The Monroe Brothers" became a regional success and soon they were asked to perform regularly on a Chicago radio station. In 1936, the band was given a recording contract. The band was moderately successful recording a few minor hits. Two years later the group parted ways and Bill organized a new band seeking to combine the old country string sound with a blues vocal style. The new sound was extremely popular and by 1946 "The Bluegrass Boys" were touring the country and appearing regularly on the radio. Some of his hits included "Kentucky Waltz," Footprints in the Snow" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970, the first class of the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. He is the only performer to be honored by all three. In 1993 The he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three years later he died from a complications caused by a stroke.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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