The Mandolin of Bill Monroe

HOMESPUN
Taught By Bill Monroe.
Levels 1-3
John Hartford, Host
Special guests: The Blue Grass Boys
Two DVD or VHS Set

On this instructional and entertaining session, the "father of bluegrass" discusses and demonstrates the instrumental techniques which have changed the course of American music.

Bill Monroe plays twenty-seven great tunes (some recorded here for the first time), including favorites such as "Rawhide," "Wheel Hoss," "Tennessee Blues," "Dusty Miller," "Roanoke," "Pike Country Breakdown," "Blue Grass Stomp,"Get Up John," "Katie Hill" and "Rocky Road Blues."

The camera's eye reveals, up close and in detail, Bill's incredible facility and inventiveness on the mandolin. He plays and sings both solo and backed up by the Blue Grass Boys.

In an intimate conversation with fellow musician John Hartford, Bill discusses a wide variety of topics: His musical development, ideas about performing and song writing, memories of childhood, early touring days, his years on the Grand Ole Opry and much more.

As a special bonus, we have added previously unseen footage of a performance for President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1980, including rare duets between Bill Monroe and Doc Watson.

Reviews:

"This two-video set is a solid introduction to the playing (and personality) of Bill Monroe. Video One, all by itself, leaves no doubt that Bill Monroe is the master. Video Two is devoted to in-depth analysis of some of the tunes featured in Video One, as taught by Sam Bush. . . . Both are entertaining, informative, and useful to mandolin players of any level." -- Victory Review

". . . two extraordinary videos . . . .The two videos meet the performer on his own terms and should be considered, as Hardy wrote, twin halves of one august event. The effort and care of production are readily apparent. The videos are entertaining, instructive beyond measure and, in my humble opinion, absolutely essential." -- Bluegrass Unlimited

"I just want to take a moment to praise your work with Smithsonian/Folkways on the production of this 2 DVD set. This is a masterpiece not only on an instructional level, but on a documentary level as well. When you watch DVD volume #1, it is like going to a jam and meeting Mr. Monroe in person and getting the chance to visit with him and talk about his music and life. This volume stands on its own as a documentary masterpiece. Volume 2 gets down to some serious instructional business with Sam Bush, a brilliant instructor and musician, breaking down the tunes from volume 1 to a level of detail that makes the material obtainable by any mandolin player. This set is a truly great work and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a Bill Monroe fan (like myself) and/or who aspires to play bluegrass mandolin. This is a truly fitting tribute to the "Father of Bluegrass Music".

I have been a customer of Homespun for many years and I value your great products and customer service." - Jeff Rose

Lesson 1: One-on-One With the Master

Taught By Bill Monroe.
All Levels
90-minute DVD or VHS
Hosted by John Hartford, with The Blue Grass Boys

The legendary "Father of Bluegrass" demonstrates the amazing mandolin technique and repertoire that have made him world famous. He plays over 25 great tunes (some never heard before), including favorites such as "Rawhide," "Wheel Hoss," "Muleskinner Blues," "Tennessee Blues," "Dusty Miller," "Roanoke," "Back to the Old Home," "Pike County Breakdown," "Blue Grass Stomp," "Get Up John," "Katie Hill," "Memories of Mother and Dad," "Rocky Road Blues" and "Last Days on Earth." A must for his countless fans and all mandolinists! Our camera's eye reveals, up close and in detail Bill's incredible facility and inventiveness on the mandolin. He plays and sings both solo and backed up by the Blue Grass Boys. In an intimate conversation with fellow musician John Hartford, Bill discusses a wide variety of topics: His musical development, ideas about performing and song writing, memories of childhood, early touring days, his years on the Grand Ole Opry and much more.

Extra! As a special bonus, we have added previously unseen footage of a performance for President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1980, including rare duets between Bill Monroe and Doc Watson.

Lesson 2: A Detailed Analysis By Sam Bush

Level 3
90-minute DVD or VHS, Includes music + tab book

This hands-on teaching tool was produced especially for the player who wants to master Bill Monroe's powerful mandolin technique. Veteran bluegrass musician Sam Bush dissects sixteen pieces as played by Bill Monroe on his ground-breaking video, taking them apart in note-for-note detail. Split screens and close-ups, as well as replays of Monroe's demonstrations, aid the learning process and make this lesson THE learning method for bluegrass mandolin.

Songs include: "Sweet Blue-Eyed Darling," Frog on a Lily Pad," Dusty Miller," Sally Goodin," "Katy Hill," "Blue Grass Stomp," "Tennessee Blues," "Memories of Mother and Dad," "Back to the Old Home," "Get Up John," "Rawhide," Blue Grass Breakdown," "Last Days on Earth."

Produced by Smithsonian/Folkways and Homespun Video

About Bill Monroe
Often called "the father of bluegrass," the late Bill Monroe changed the course of American music when he made his driving mandolin and soaring tenor vocals the lead instruments in his first group, The Blue Grass Boys. Bill's music has influenced Elvis Presley, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, the Grateful Dead and innumerable other artists, and his fusion of gospel, folk, old-time country and blues has become a cornerstone of today's country music. Over the years, members of his band have included Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Del McCoury, Kenny Baker, Bill Keith, Stringbean, Sonny Osborne, Peter Rowan and many others. He has played at the White House, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and was a star on the Grand Ole Opry for more than fifty years. Although he passed away in September, 1996 at the age of 85, Bill continues to inspire virtually every musician who plays bluegrass music to this day.
About Sam Bush

Sam Bush is one of the most versatile and powerful musicians playing today, a first-rate mandolinist, fiddler and guitarist. After 18 years (and 13 albums) with the ground-breaking New Grass Revival, Sam toured internationally as a leader of Emmylou Harris' Nash Ramblers and, more recently, with Lyle Lovett’s band. An in-demand session player, Sam has recorded on albums by Leon Russell, Doc Watson, Steve Earle, Garth Brooks, Steve Wariner, Trisha Yearwood, Left Over Salmon and Pam Tillis, among many others. He has produced albums by Jon Randall and Chris Thile, and has joined forces with many of Nashville's "A-Team" of musicians in a variety of combinations, including the bluegrass supergroup Strength in Numbers. Sam’s solo CDs include "Glamour and Grits," “Late as Usual,” "Howlin' at the Moon" and his latest release, “Ice Caps: Peaks Of Telluride,” all on Sugar Hill Records.