Rebel Records Salutes Bill Monroe

2-Disc Set Available August 23rd

The year 2011 marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Bill Monroe, creator of bluegrass, and without doubt one of the most important and influential figures in the history of American music. In a career that began in the late 1930s, Monroe and his band the Blue Grass Boys started a new genre of roots-based music that not only influenced artists world-wide, from Elvis Presley on down, but effectively shaped or changed the lives of literally thousands of professional and amateur musicians.
It is hard to imagine a bluegrass band today that does not include at least a few of Monroe’s songs and tunes in its repertoire, and these two exceptional collections just prove the ongoing strength and influence of his work.

It is not a coincidence that Rebel Records, in its illustrious 50 year history, has recorded numerous pieces that were written by or associated with the Father of Bluegrass music, but played by other first and second generation stars like Ralph Stanley, The Country Gentlemen, Red Allen, Tony Rice, The Seldom Scene and The Lonesome River Band among others.
All of these artists have put their own stamp on the music, and many of the performers here were actually members of the Blue Grass Boys at one time or another, including Carter Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Kenny Baker, Del McCoury and Don Reno, as well as Bill Keith, Peter Rowan, Richard Greene, Larry Richardson and Bobby Hicks.
This Monroe tribute is divided into two separate albums: VOLUME 1 is devoted to secular songs and instrumentals while VOLUME 2 features sacred and gospel recordings that were so important to Monroe’s music.
Each disc contains 17 tracks, and each includes a 12-page booklet with photos and notes to all the songs by Monroe expert Neil Rosenberg. Here you will find a fascinating collection that includes versions of some of Monroe’s best known “hits” combined with lesser known songs and even some obscure recordings that few will have heard, like the fine cuts by Don Reno & Benny Martin, Larry Richardson, and Jim & Jesse’s rare version of “Uncle Pen,” showing Jesse’s superb cross-picking. In addition, Bill Monroe himself makes a notable appearance on Volume 1, joining Kenny Baker in what was the very first recording of Bill’s popular instrumental, “Road to Columbus.”
There is little doubt that Bill Monroe would be extremely pleased with all the performances on these two albums. They are delivered with respect and love and, as Bill would likely agree, they make for some “mighty powerful music.”
The youngest of eight children, Monroe was immersed in the music of a family and community in which religious music played a central role. He became a professional musician in the early 1930s, performing and recording with his brother Charlie as “The Monroe Brothers.” Fully half of their recorded repertoire consisted of gospel songs.
In 1939 he joined the Grand Ole Opry with his new band The Blue Grass Boys, and he soon debuted his Blue Grass Quartet, the first gospel quartet associated with a secular act on the Opry. In 1958 his I Saw The Light was one of the first bluegrass gospel albums, and gospel remained important to him for the rest of his career. By the time of his death on September 9, 1996, the music he’d created was known as bluegrass, and generations of creative musicians had emulated and extended his vision. Bluegrass gospel had become and remains a thriving part of it.
This album celebrates Monroe’s centenary with performances of gospel songs he composed or popularized.  Taken from the vaults of Rebel and County Records, they feature the best of the many fine groups and individuals who’ve followed the trail he blazed. Many of these musicians served apprenticeships in his band The Blue Grass Boys. Not only do they preserve the feeling and content of Monroe’s repertoire, they reflect his belief that every musician should place a creative stamp upon each performance.