The reigning “Father of Bluegrass Music,” Bill Monroe passed away in September of 1996 and for the first time fans are being given the chance to own some of the iconic musician’s likeness and personal belongings. Not only can devoted followers purchase the rights to his band’s name “Blue Grass Boys,” but also his image, name, and website “BillMonroe.com”
For those who want items with more sentimental value, the historic Uncle Pen’s Cabin, the home which represents a special meaning to bluegrass music, since young Monroe moved there following the death of both of his parents in 1927.
Other exclusive memorabilia and personal items are just being made available to the public as well, including: 1,800 personal and business checks to people like Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, and Johnny Paycheck; two knives and three wrist watches, his back brace, social security card, debit and credit cards, Christmas Cards, personal papers and collectibles, suits, coats, shoes, and ties.
As a musician, he naturally collected music of his own and of course, they are also available to be purchased. Lucky fans could own his personal record collection, and one of his 77 year old fiddles containing his inscribed initials. Many of his more conventional memoribilia items are also being put up for auction uncluding his merchandise collection of T-Shirts and CD’s, caps, 8 by 10 pictures, commemorative plates, and a very long mailing list.
Monroe’s legacy is sure to live on through his countless fans and followers who he heavily impacted. Not only was he an important component to the Bluegrass genre, he is one of the only artists to be inducted into the Country and Rock and Roll Hall of fame. So it goes without saying that owning a piece of Bill Monroe would be like owning a little piece of history.