Early Bluegrass
A typical bluegrass band consists of violin, banjo, bass, guitar, and mandolin (not shown) The music of the back hills of the south as played by settlers from from the British Isles is the basis of most early bluegrass. No electric instruments..
Bill Monroe, a native of Rosine, Kentucky, born on Sept. 13, 1911, is generally considered the “father of bluegrass music.” Bill grew up working and playing music with his siblings on the family farm (known as Jerusalem Ridge) in the early 1900s.
Bill and his band first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 1939 and soon became one of the most popular touring acts to emerge from Nashville’s WSM studios. Bill’s band was different from other traditional country bands because of its hard-driving and powerful sound that used acoustic instruments and featured distinctively high vocal harmonies.
Bill’s music incorporated songs and rhythms from string band, gospel (black and white), black laborer work songs, country, and blues music repertoires. Vocal selections included duet, trio, and quartet harmony singing in addition to Bill’s powerful “high lonesome” lead singing.
Today bluegrass bands come from all over the world. It is interesting to listen to French and Japanese singers singing about the old cabin on the hill.
Quotes
When I was playing bluegrass, I was living down in West Hollywood - starving. - Chris Hillman
There are so many wonderful, wonderful musicians in the world, I cannot possibly make a distinction between the fact that they might play classical music, or bluegrass, or Irish traditional, or Indian music. - Daniel Hope
People like bluegrass. It's had a following amongst a lot of hip and young people. A lot of college kids like bluegrass.- Dolly Parton
Bluegrass is not country music, -G. Eldon Smith