Why Bill Monroe Didn't Speak To Me For 11 Weeks! By Butch Robins
Vložit
- čas přidán 4. 04. 2023
- If you'd like to support this channel:
/ @bradapplemusic
Former Bluegrass Boy, Butch Robins, relates his experience of being on Bill Monroe's wrong side. At one time, Bill Monroe didn't speak to Robins for 11 weeks, although playing music with each other on the road.
William Smith "Bill" Monroe ; September 13, 1911 - September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass".
The genre takes its name from his band, the Blue Grass Boys, who named their group for the bluegrass of Monroe's home state of Kentucky. He described the genre as "Scottish bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'. It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound."
Professional career
In 1929, Monroe moved to Indiana to work at an oil refinery with his brothers Birch and Charlie, and childhood friend and guitarist William "Old Hickory" Hardin. Together with a friend, Larry Moore, they formed the "Monroe Brothers", to play at local dances and house parties.
Birch and Moore soon left the group, and Bill and Charlie carried on as a duo, eventually winning spots performing live on radio stations, first in Indiana and then, sponsored by Texas Crystals, on several radio broadcasts in Shenandoah, Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina and North Carolina from 1934 to 1936. RCA Victor signed the Monroe Brothers to a recording contract in 1936. They scored an immediate hit single with the gospel song "What Would You Give in Exchange For Your Soul?" and ultimately recorded 60 tracks for Victor's Bluebird label between 1936 and 1938.
After the Monroe Brothers disbanded in 1938, Bill Monroe formed The Kentuckians in Little Rock, Arkansas, but the group only lasted for three months. Monroe then left Little Rock for Atlanta, Georgia, to form the first edition of the Blue Grass Boys, with singer/guitarist Cleo Davis, fiddler Art Wooten, and bassist Amos Garren. Bill had wanted William Hardin to become one of the original members of his Blue Grass Boys; however, he had to decline.
In October 1939, Monroe successfully auditioned for a regular spot on the Grand Ole Opry, impressing Opry founder George D. Hay with his energetic performance of Jimmie Rodgers's "Mule Skinner Blues". Monroe recorded that song, along with seven others, at his first solo recording session for RCA Victor in 1940; by this time, the Blue Grass Boys consisted of singer/guitarist Clyde Moody, fiddler Tommy Magness, and bassist Bill Wesbrooks.
While the fast tempos and instrumental virtuosity characteristic of bluegrass music are apparent even on these early tracks, Monroe was still experimenting with the sound of his group. He seldom sang lead vocals on his Victor recordings, often preferring to contribute high tenor harmonies as he had in the Monroe Brothers. A 1945 session for Columbia Records featured an accordion, soon dropped from the band. Most importantly, Monroe added banjo player David "Stringbean" Akeman to the Blue Grass Boys in 1942. Akeman played the instrument in a relatively primitive style and was rarely featured in instrumental solos. Monroe's pre-1946 recordings represent a transitional style between the string-band tradition from which he came and the musical innovation to follow.
"Original Bluegrass Band" and Monroe's heyday as a star
Key developments occurred in Monroe's music with the addition of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs to the Blue Grass Boys in December 1945.[1] Flatt played a solid rhythm guitar style that would help to set the course for bluegrass timing. Scruggs played the banjo with a distinctive three-finger picking style that immediately caused a sensation among Opry audiences. Flatt and Scruggs joined a highly accomplished group that included fiddler Howdy Forrester and bassist Joe Forrester and would soon include fiddler Chubby Wise and bassist Howard Watts, who often performed under the name "Cedric Rainwater".
In retrospect, this line-up of the Blue Grass Boys has been dubbed the "Original Bluegrass Band", as the music finally included all the elements that characterize bluegrass music, including breakneck tempos, sophisticated vocal harmony arrangements, and impressive instrumental proficiency demonstrated in solos or "breaks" on the mandolin, banjo, and fiddle. By this time, Monroe had acquired the 1923 Gibson F5 model "Lloyd Loar" mandolin, which became his trademark instrument for the remainder of his career. - Hudba
Howdy, Friends! Thanks for watching and for your continued support. If you haven't yet, please SUBSCRIBE to the channel, like, comment and share this video. I was proud of the way Butch made amends with Monroe after being estranged for some years. That took a lot of courage on his part. What do you think?
Butch Robins is a great person and a great musician. I love to hear his perspective.
Thx. I really appreciate the insight into the everyday life of these beloved folks
Bill knew what he liked without compromise and if you had invented a totally new genre of music you can act however you want, Bill's the man,
Nice to hear someone stand up to him.
I had a time a few years ago, that I mentioned to some of my band-mate's neighbors, that they were "nuts", (meaning they were fun to be around) or something to that effect...a short 6 hrs later, the band-mate confronted me that he'd heard I'd been "bad-mouth'in" them. I learned the hard way 1. to watch what I said to who, and 2. to STAY AWAY from the people that I was certain had relayed it back.
Thanks for watching! Good advice.
Hi Butch, I met you and your lady friend as she handled the purchase of a house in
Pulaski by my then girlfriend, Mary Conrad and we came by your log cabin. I hadn't
known about the drama with you and Bill until now. Good that you patched things up.
Really enjoy these behind the scenes real life stories. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching!😀
Bill Monroe was the textbook example of Man In Charge. When it comes to your boss, whether the opinion is good or bad, be careful of what you say around others.
I never met butch robbibs read His interview in masters if the banjo seemed a little harsh after hearing thid interview I find Mr Robbinscto be of great character Bill Keith told me many stories about bill Monroe abd I’d never okay fir someone like that. No thank you stuck on a bus for miles days. I have a tour bus it’s huge but with a temperamental. Petson avd 5 other guys it’s a sardine can on wheels. I hear Doyle Lawson is similar. If you see a lot of musician changes you can bet the header is a tyrant No excuse for that. Music is supposed to be beautiful enjoying. Not full of rage. Love the kindness Nr Robbins showed him in the end. Love it
The Ledford’s of Mitchell county NC, used to tell me about his shenanigans. He liked his likker, which was probably the impetus of his temperament.
He absolutely did not drink or allow anyone in his band to drink. Be glad Mr. Monroe isn't still around to read about you telling tales on him 🤛
If Bill was anything, he was petty.
he done ralph stanly the same way.he had by far more musician working for him than any other artist ,and his wife filed a domestic violene complaint against him
I do not know who is talking about times with Monroe
It is Butch Robins, who used to play banjo in the Bluegrass Boys.
Thanks