James Monroe
Musician · b. 1941 · Rosine, Kentucky
Best known for
Guitar
James Monroe is a Kentucky-born guitarist and lead singer who served his bluegrass apprenticeship in his father Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys before founding the Midnight Ramblers and, after his father's death, becoming steward of the Bill Monroe Memorial Festival in Rosine.
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- Born 1941; son of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass.
- Joined his father's Blue Grass Boys as bassist around October 1964 after playing part-time.
- Switched to guitar and lead vocals in March 1969 when several band members departed.
- Left the Blue Grass Boys in 1971 to form his own band, the Midnight Ramblers.
- Recorded father-son collaborative albums with Bill Monroe, including "Father & Son" (1973) and "Together Again" (1978).
- After Bill Monroe's death in 1996, oversaw the Monroe Estate and Monroe Talent Enterprises.
- Produces the long-running Bill Monroe Memorial Festival in Rosine, Kentucky.
- Inducted into the North American Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass BoysPlayed on recordings with Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys
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Bill Monroe and James MonroePlayed on recordings with Bill Monroe and James Monroe
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Dave EvansPlayed on recording with Dave Evans