Bill Monroe was an American musician credited with inventing the style and name of Bluegrass music. He is often called the ‘’Father of Bluegrass’’ by legions of fans. Bill Monroe entertained generations of audiences for over sixty years, winning many awards and leaving a lasting legacy on bluegrass music. He was made an honorary Kentucky colonel in 1966 and that was only one of the many honors Bill Monroe received in his lifetime.

Bill Monroe suffered a stroke in April of 1996 and on September 9, 1996 just four days before his 85th birthday he passed away. His legacy lives on in Bluegrass Music. Monroe preformed during his career as a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader.

On September 13, 1911 Malissa and James Monroe welcomed their eighth child into the world. They named him William Smith Monroe, and he was nicknamed Bill. His mom died when young Bill was ten years old and his father died just six years later.

In 1929, Monroe along with two of his brothers and a friend formed a group called the Monroe Brothers that played at local dances and parties.http://www.roughstock.com/history/bill-monroe-and-bluegrass After two of the members moved on, the remaining Monroe pair continued as a duo and eventually got to perform on live radio shows. The Monroe Brothers were signed by RCA Victor in 1936 and produced their first hit single "What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul?" They went on to record 60 more songs between 1936 and 1938.

After the disbanding of the Monroe Brothers in 1938, Monroe formed The Kentuckians, in Little Rock, Arkansas. After that band broke up, Bill Monroe moved on to Georgia where he formed The Blue Grass Boys. In 1939, they auditioned for the Grand Ole Opry and were given a regular spot. More than 150 musicians played in the Blue Grass Boys during the 57 years of the band’s existence.

• 1958: Knee Deep In Bluegrass
• 1967: Bluegrass Time
• 1973: Bean Blossom
• 1977: Bluegrass Memories