A telephone conversation that took place some years ago between west coast fiddler Jim Moss and Bill’s son James Monroe and Bill Monroe: Jim Moss: So, ah.. James… can you ask your father something for me? James Monroe: What is it? Jim Moss: Well, it is about the song Footprints In The Snow…. James Monroe: The boy on the phone wants to ask you something about Footprints In The Snow. Bill Monroe: What does he want? Jim Moss: Ask him… (testing the waters) if in the song it is snowing? James Monroe: The boy wants to know if it is snowing in the song.. Bill Monroe: Yes, it is snowing.. James Monroe: Yeah, it’s snowing Jim Moss: I thought so.. (that worked all right) Jim Moss: Ok, ask him, does the girl gets lost out in the forest? James Monroe: The boy from California wants to know if the girl gets lost out in the forest? Bill Monroe: Tell him yes the girl is lost. (it sounds like Bill is reading or doing something else) James Monroe: Yes the girl is lost. Jim Moss: (also, now I am the boy from California!!, I wonder what the meaning of that is?) Ok, ask him if she dies in the snow.. When he finds her, is she dead? James Monroe: The boy wants to know if she dies in the snow? Bill Monroe: ( pause.. ) Yes she dies out in the snow. James Monroe: She dies in the snow. Jim Moss: Well, now here is one last question, James: Why is it that he blesses that happy day when Nellie lost her way only to die in the show? Why is he happy that she is dead? James Monroe: The boy wants to know why is it you are happy that she is dead? Bill Monroe: (…real long pause….) Bill Monroe: THOSE OLD SONGS.. WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY MEAN! James Monroe: We have work to do here, is there anything else I can do for you? Jim Moss
❤ Bill Monroe was like an Uncle to me. He used to pat me on the head and call me his little pet. ❤ ❤ I met The Whites and Doug Dillard as well. All great people! ❤
Bill was the Father of Bluegrass and Kenny Baker will never be bested. Personally...I spent many times at the Lavonia festivals, etc. Mac Wiseman always had my heart but Bill Monroe was definitely the Father. Good memories!
Them sideburns make me hungry for pork chops! If you look at a list of people who played with Bil Monroe, it looks like a "Who's Who Of All Fields Of American Music". Even Jerry Garcia wanted to be a Bluegrass Boy. When BM said he only wanted players to stay for 3 years, I guess he forgot about Flatt and Scruggs. It hurt him and he felt betrayed when they left. Thanks for sharing.
I think that’s where he got the idea to keep them rotating through. Probably didn’t want too much focus on them as individuals. The classic lineup with Flatt & Scruggs was an all-star line up.
All I know is I LOVED ELVIS' VERSION then and now...plus I remember Monroe in late 60's doing the spiced up version after doing his version and because Bands like Dillards, and even Earl Scruggs sons joining him and changing Earl's style-that would be Randy and Gary-both rocked! Nitty Gritty Dirt Band;Bluegrass was changing from Mtn Folks with Shine to younger audiences who brought their funny Cigs and soon everyone blended;and the Circle has never been broken-now Bluegrass is playing every genre,New Grass;Country Gazette,Seldom Scene,soon it was all Americana and growing up around DC I recall Skaggs Starling(Everyone worth his/her salt went to his house after gigs and played all nite-Hillman,Lowell George,Sebastion,Emmy Lou Harris ,Rondstat,Gram,the list is way to long to list-but the world of Bluegrass broke all barriers;so rather than argue about Elvis and Bill let's be grateful for the History they started!!!
I'm real proud of him and everything, but he didn't invent what they call bluegrass music, he just was part of the latest naming of it. People been playing that music for a couple centuries. He might've brought it to the mainstream to some extent but I really think it was bound to happen about when it did.
I don’t agree. He created something new. We might have old time music, but without Mr Monroe it would never had had the drive and the blend we known of as bluegrass.
And if you hate my Grammaw Roberts' piano playing as much as I did, you'll know how come Bill had so much hope. She couldn't hear and he couldn't see straight. But when joy happens, we cut the rug. We dance and we have fun. Beauty is not available to pride. Play on, y'all. Thank ye
During the early years of Bluegrass Monroe would see Lester and Earl as competition playing his style of music. He tried to keep them off the Opry. Monroe was a stubborn and complicated man. His biography "Can't You Hear Me Callin" by Richard D. Smith is a excellent account of his life.
Scruggs was in a league of his own. They never told him they were going out together only they were leaving. They had more success than him and he tried to keep them from joining the Grand oL Opry. Feud lasted a decade. That was Bill. Walked by Flatt without even saying a word to him. Neither would play same bgrass festival same weekend.
@@violinmke not only that, they did a bit of the stuff they did with Bill in the beginning too. It took Bill quite a while to get to where he could understand they weren't trying to compete with him or overshadow him. I've heard he also had some resentment for Louise Scruggs as well, believing she was responsible for them leaving. Probably being one of the youngest in a fairly large family is what led him to be so possessive of his music. Only a handful of people left his group that didn't get his wrath, such as Mac, Don Reno, and Carter Stanley. If they lived long enough, they all were able to smooth things over except for Jimmy Martin. I think, with Jimmy, that was something different. Their voices and timing fit together too perfect. Their combination will always be my favorite. Interesting note on Reno. Bill let him and Red Smiley record a song of his before his version was released. I forget the song right off hand. He was also the one that was supposed to be the first 3 finger picker for Bill in 43 but went into the Army and was hired by walking out on stage mid-set in 49.
Flatt&Scrugg were not ABOUT as good they were better! Bill was a rear end as well!. He tried keeping Lester&Earl out of the Grand Old Opry but Martha White stopped him.
Bill Monroe was a music genius! My goodness how did he ever come up with all of his original instrumentals? There will never be another like him.
"Just hope its here to stay" your wish got granted sir maybe its not pure as you may have wished but it still carries the essance
❤
This was awesome, nice to see humility too. You never see that anymore. A true legend
Greatest ever! I grew up listening to you Bill. Love you!
He created an entire music genre !
Bill Monroe is one of the greatest entertainers in music history. His songs will last forever.
A telephone conversation that took place some years ago between west coast fiddler Jim Moss and Bill’s son James Monroe and Bill Monroe:
Jim Moss: So, ah.. James… can you ask your father something for me?
James Monroe: What is it?
Jim Moss: Well, it is about the song Footprints In The Snow….
James Monroe: The boy on the phone wants to ask you something about Footprints In The Snow.
Bill Monroe: What does he want?
Jim Moss: Ask him… (testing the waters) if in the song it is snowing?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know if it is snowing in the song..
Bill Monroe: Yes, it is snowing..
James Monroe: Yeah, it’s snowing
Jim Moss: I thought so.. (that worked all right)
Jim Moss: Ok, ask him, does the girl gets lost out in the forest?
James Monroe: The boy from California wants to know if the girl gets lost out in the forest?
Bill Monroe: Tell him yes the girl is lost. (it sounds like Bill is reading or doing something else)
James Monroe: Yes the girl is lost.
Jim Moss: (also, now I am the boy from California!!, I wonder what the meaning of that is?)
Ok, ask him if she dies in the snow.. When he finds her, is she dead?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know if she dies in the snow?
Bill Monroe: ( pause.. ) Yes she dies out in the snow.
James Monroe: She dies in the snow.
Jim Moss: Well, now here is one last question, James: Why is it that he blesses that happy day when Nellie lost her way only to die in the show? Why is he happy that she is dead?
James Monroe: The boy wants to know why is it you are happy that she is dead?
Bill Monroe: (…real long pause….)
Bill Monroe: THOSE OLD SONGS.. WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY MEAN!
James Monroe: We have work to do here, is there anything else I can do for you?
Jim Moss
great stuff, miss you big mon!
I was there at his farm before. It was fun to stay up all night playing.
Very fine way to remember Bill Monroe. Thanks I really enjoyed!!!
"Mandolin is my FAVE-O-RITE instrument"
Bill could play the blues.
I am from London UK, and I love this guy's music...
This is great... thanks for posting!
God Bless you Bill, we miss you all so much!
love BeanBlossom, it's a one of a kind place
Mandolin is a hard instrument, Bill was so good. Perfect vocals for the instrument-
I know of no other guy with his vocal range.
Wonderful interview !
Excellent footage. Thanks for posting.
A humble performer, what a rare thing!
Bill Monroe is my favoright music legend.
Bill, thanks for the grass, good short clip, my Grass is Blue!
Thank you so much for this!
❤ Bill Monroe was like an Uncle to me. He used to pat me on the head and call me his little pet. ❤
❤ I met The Whites and Doug Dillard as well. All great people! ❤
Mr. Monroe, don't you worry. Bluegrass is here to stay, and you can bet your hat on it.
How did he get those big fat working hands to play such intricate fine music , on such a tiny instrument? Bill we miss you and your talent
My inspiration.
That was amazing as well as historic.
Great to see "Monroe's Blues" being performed @ 2:23. Hails from the 1977 LP "Bluegrass Body And Soul."
Carry me down to my Favo-right Store-ee ! 💓
I grew up there. My first job was parking cars for Mr. Monroe!
I Love this, thanks so much for posting.......
I love bill monrow.
Excellent 👍
07/07/2021,,👍🏼 got an update from Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground. Thar's a Boogie in Bean Blossum!!✌🏼🇺🇸🍉🌹🌶🌮🍰🍺
Bill was the Father of Bluegrass and Kenny Baker will never be bested. Personally...I spent many times at the Lavonia festivals, etc. Mac Wiseman always had my heart but Bill Monroe was definitely the Father. Good memories!
The legend, yeehah!
Them sideburns make me hungry for pork chops!
If you look at a list of people who played with Bil Monroe, it looks like a "Who's Who Of All Fields Of American Music". Even Jerry Garcia wanted to be a Bluegrass Boy. When BM said he only wanted players to stay for 3 years, I guess he forgot about Flatt and Scruggs. It hurt him and he felt betrayed when they left.
Thanks for sharing.
I think that’s where he got the idea to keep them rotating through. Probably didn’t want too much focus on them as individuals. The classic lineup with Flatt & Scruggs was an all-star line up.
Bill was the Father of Bluegrass. I'm proud to be a Kentuckian.
Bluegrass is awesome!!! LOVE IT UP HERE IN CANADA!!
The Father of bluegrass really rare footage.
All I know is I LOVED ELVIS' VERSION then and now...plus I remember Monroe in late 60's doing the spiced up version after doing his version and because Bands like Dillards, and even Earl Scruggs sons joining him and changing Earl's style-that would be Randy and Gary-both rocked! Nitty Gritty Dirt Band;Bluegrass was changing from Mtn Folks with Shine to younger audiences who brought their funny Cigs and soon everyone blended;and the Circle has never been broken-now Bluegrass is playing every genre,New Grass;Country Gazette,Seldom Scene,soon it was all Americana and growing up around DC I recall Skaggs Starling(Everyone worth his/her salt went to his house after gigs and played all nite-Hillman,Lowell George,Sebastion,Emmy Lou Harris ,Rondstat,Gram,the list is way to long to list-but the world of Bluegrass broke all barriers;so rather than argue about Elvis and Bill let's be grateful for the History they started!!!
bill is the best mandolin player
@RxBluegrass Fixed! Thanks!
2:40……Sounds like Bill has changed his tune, then, because he was furious when Flatt and Scruggs left to go out on their own…..
Anybody remember Clarence White?? Bet Ever!!
I miss him.
Yes.
jimmy martin the king
I'm real proud of him and everything, but he didn't invent what they call bluegrass music, he just was part of the latest naming of it. People been playing that music for a couple centuries. He might've brought it to the mainstream to some extent but I really think it was bound to happen about when it did.
I don’t agree. He created something new. We might have old time music, but without Mr Monroe it would never had had the drive and the blend we known of as bluegrass.
@@greg54444 u may be right. I'm sure you're better informed on the subject than I am.
And if you hate my Grammaw Roberts' piano playing as much as I did, you'll know how come Bill had so much hope. She couldn't hear and he couldn't see straight. But when joy happens, we cut the rug. We dance and we have fun. Beauty is not available to pride.
Play on, y'all.
Thank ye
Bill says he wanted the band members to stay about 3yrs??? then why did he have such a fit when Flatt& Scruggs left the band??
IT COULD BE HE IS HIPLEECRITE.
During the early years of Bluegrass Monroe would see Lester and Earl as competition playing his style of music. He tried to keep them off the Opry. Monroe was a stubborn and complicated man. His biography "Can't You Hear Me Callin" by Richard D. Smith is a excellent account of his life.
Scruggs was in a league of his own. They never told him they were going out together only they were leaving. They had more success than him and he tried to keep them from joining the Grand oL Opry. Feud lasted a decade. That was Bill. Walked by Flatt without even saying a word to him. Neither would play same bgrass festival same weekend.
@@violinmke not only that, they did a bit of the stuff they did with Bill in the beginning too. It took Bill quite a while to get to where he could understand they weren't trying to compete with him or overshadow him. I've heard he also had some resentment for Louise Scruggs as well, believing she was responsible for them leaving. Probably being one of the youngest in a fairly large family is what led him to be so possessive of his music.
Only a handful of people left his group that didn't get his wrath, such as Mac, Don Reno, and Carter Stanley. If they lived long enough, they all were able to smooth things over except for Jimmy Martin. I think, with Jimmy, that was something different. Their voices and timing fit together too perfect. Their combination will always be my favorite.
Interesting note on Reno. Bill let him and Red Smiley record a song of his before his version was released. I forget the song right off hand. He was also the one that was supposed to be the first 3 finger picker for Bill in 43 but went into the Army and was hired by walking out on stage mid-set in 49.
How does he look younger than he did in the 60s? Lol
she's really cute
Because Flatt and Scruggs was about as good at bluegrass picking as bill Monroe himself
Flatt&Scrugg were not ABOUT as good they were better!
Bill was a rear end as well!. He tried keeping Lester&Earl out of the Grand Old Opry but Martha White stopped him.
He had Autism.
I love your mandolin playing but you could never sing in tune. Sorry to say that but it is true.
80s hair was awful