Blue Grass Boy: The Story of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass Music

By Barb Rosenstock
Illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham
Calkins Creek
ISBN: 978-0763674755

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Bill Monroe’s deep Kentucky roots helped him to create the unique American music called bluegrass. Young Willie Monroe loved many things: music, his family, and his home in the bluegrass state of Kentucky. Even though his eyes didn’t work right, Bill’s ears picked out the sounds around his treasured home: rushing streams, wailing winds, and bird calls. Through heartache and hard times, Bill held on to the sounds that reminded him of home. Rosenstock and illustrator Edwin Fotheringham  capture Monroe’s musical journey, and how his roots in the natural world created a unique form of American music–bluegrass. Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and Jerry Garcia all credited Bill Monroe as an influence.

Back matter includes author’s note, historical photos, quotations, song lyrics and bibliography.