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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/263752/2
pick it - Posted - 06/01/2013: 07:53:16
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Edited by - pick it on 06/01/2013 07:57:01
Kurt Kemp - Posted - 06/01/2013: 08:53:57
I thought he was a real gentleman the one time I met him. This is a photo of him and my grandfather in 1984.
hangoutstorage.com/banjohangou...22006.jpg
TNCowboy - Posted - 06/01/2013: 09:50:40
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Thank you Tim for your comment; those that sling mud, loose ground.
Michael
wbelm - Posted - 06/01/2013: 10:30:24
I have not read the complete thread but here is my explanation of the original question......Monroe was show casing the music he loved, not an individual musician. After all, promoting a musicians name was something that would help him leave and "strike out on his own", as did Lester and Earl.
lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 06/01/2013: 11:10:35
Now there is no way I can say what a person is like unless I met them and had an interaction. Butch Robins said in his book, he was a pallbearer at his funeral. When he went up to his coffin to pay his last respects,he slipped a thumbpick into his shirt pocket and said "I hope you get reincarnated and come back as a Black female Banjo player"
wrangler - Posted - 06/01/2013: 11:12:53
This is a funny interview with Bill Monroe and Lester Flat.
hangoutstorage.com/jukebox.asp...D%3D30869
Dave Magram - Posted - 06/01/2013: 11:13:40
When Carleton Haney began the first bluegrass festivals in the mid-1960s, he featured a special segment called “The Bluegrass Story”, in which dozens of former Blue Grass Boys would perform with Monroe on stage once again, usually after driving hundreds of miles to the event. There were some memorable emotional moments and even tears as these men recreated the special time when they were Blue Grass Boys.
The point is that so many of Monroe’s former band members clearly loved and greatly respected him very much. They might joke about how hard Bill made them work or some of the tough times they went through, but every one of them made it clear that it was a defining moment in each of their lives to be a member of Monroe’s band.
***********************************************************************************
On a personal note... I had the good fortune on two occasions to be in the opening band for a Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys concert. On one of those occasions, Bill kindly invited me to sit in with the Blue Grass Boys on a few numbers— an honor which I will never forget. And then afterwards, Bill invited both our band and The Blue Grass Boys to dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant— and picked up the tab for everyone. (I may be one of the very few banjo players around to have eaten moo-shu pork as a guest of Bill Monroe!) 
The point is that Monroe had a generous and kind side that may not have been apparent in his dignified, regal onstage presence.
**********************************************************************************
I agree with EaglesIsland. Reading the carefully-researched book Can’t You Hear Me Calling and the others that Arnie mentions would be a good start on understanding the complex, musically brilliant human being that Bill Monroe was.
I hope some of the former Blue Grass Boys who are BHO members such as Doug Hutchens, Tony Ellis, and Lonnie Hoppers will chime in here with their recollections.
-Dave
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/01/2013: 11:27:23
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Always looking for a fight... But I told that story many times while Bill was still alive -BHO members who were active on the old BANJO-L quite likely remember- and I'd have happily told it to his face if the opportunity had ever come around.
Fact is, I stood ten feet away and watched mister Monroe molest a pretty 17 year old girl who had asked him if he'd pose for a picture with her. He said "Sure, little lady!", slipped his arm around her; cupping her right breast in the palm of his hand, and grinned into the camera like a jack-o-lantern. He knew exactly what he was doing and he wasn't ashamed of it one little bit.
So here's a hint: if you don't want people to call you a dirty old man after you're gone then don't behave like one while you're alive.
~Pete
lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 06/01/2013: 13:11:55
Bill was not a "dirty old man" ..........he was a man.
TB-4 Guy - Posted - 06/01/2013: 13:50:18
While I never met Mr. Monroe personally, I did see him on one occasion at the old Ash Grove Music Hall in Los Angeles when it was open. He was there with his Bluegrass group, guitar player, Bass and fiddle, if I recall. During one set, the poor guitar player had the utter misfortune to break a string on his Martin.
Bill Monroe immediately noticed this and the look that he gave that guitar player would have melted down recycled cast iron. It was not a pretty sight. The guitar player looked like he wanted to disappear into his shoes.
This would have been sometime in the mid-1960's when I was in the University at UCLA. Also, I noted that the Gibson logo had been gouged out on Monroe's mandolin. That might place the time period.
When I used to frequent the Mandolin site, someone told a story about how Bill Monroe would talk when someone had said something in his presence that he didn't agree with. He would say "Well, that ain't no part of nothin'."
In any case, in my short time observing him, I got the impression that he didn't suffer fools in his presence.
Edited by - TB-4 Guy on 06/01/2013 13:51:41
eralbert - Posted - 06/01/2013: 15:02:45
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
Bill was not a "dirty old man" ..........he was a man.
Really.......What kind of man does that to a 17 year old girl.....??
Ron C - Posted - 06/01/2013: 16:22:49
quote:
Originally posted by wrangler
This is a funny interview with Bill Monroe and Lester Flat.
hangoutstorage.com/jukebox.asp...D%3D30869
That was hilarious.
The dates and ages mentioned during the "interview" conflicted with the date Flatt died, so I investigated around the net, looking for more info and found a treasure trove on a Mandolin site. Check out the dates given at the end of the interview. Lester had been dead for some time when this was recorded. Scruggs was NEVER in the Nashville Grass. In the interview, "Flatt" says he is 77. He was born in 1914, so the recording would have been done in 1991. Lester died in 1979 at the age of 65.
Duncan not only has Monroe's voice down to a 'T', he has all the mannerisms including the whistling when he was angry.
Ron
Glen Duncan was doing Monroe, Ronnie McCoury as the Disc Jockey and Stub, Flatt's old bus driver was doing Flatt, according to what I found.
lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 06/01/2013: 16:41:51
quote:
Originally posted by eralbert
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
Bill was not a "dirty old man" ..........he was a man.
Really.......What kind of man does that to a 17 year old girl.....??
now.. now you werent there so you dont know anything about it.. this aint no part of nothin!
Mike Rowe - Posted - 06/01/2013: 16:57:36
I was hoping that was Keith Whitley doing the impersonation of Lester. He did a good one.
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/01/2013: 22:35:33
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
yes Pete,you are always looking for a fight.
Gee, isn't it strange how you always make that claim after you've heard something you didn't like?
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/01/2013: 22:39:16
quote:
Originally posted by TB-4 Guy
In any case, in my short time observing him, I got the impression that he didn't suffer fools in his presence.
Or anyone who disagreed with him in any way, either.
Seems to be a lot of that going around these days.
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/01/2013: 22:42:25
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
quote:
Originally posted by eralbert
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
Bill was not a "dirty old man" ..........he was a man.
Really.......What kind of man does that to a 17 year old girl.....??
now.. now you werent there so you dont know anything about it.. this aint no part of nothin!
"History is bunk."
-Henry Ford.
TB-4 Guy - Posted - 06/02/2013: 06:16:44
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by TB-4 Guy
In any case, in my short time observing him, I got the impression that he didn't suffer fools in his presence.
Seems to be a lot of that going around these days.
Yeah, that's true.
I have to say, though, that there was something about the way that he played the mandolin. You felt that you were in the presence of the master. I wish I could have seen him play many more times than I did. Whatever else anyone might have thought or said about him, that man could sure play the mandolin. He was a great Bluegrass singer as well. He made you feel the words.
pick it - Posted - 06/02/2013: 11:01:45
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
yes Pete,you are always looking for a fight.
Gee, isn't it strange how you always make that claim after you've heard something you didn't like?
this ain't about you or me,its about someone that continues to trash one that has passed on and seems to relish the soapbox he has been given (BHO) as well as the music the very one he is trashing has given us.I choose to honor that man,you choose another course.
The Old Timer - Posted - 06/02/2013: 14:00:37
I've occasionally seen Monroe performing with a fill-in banjo man, and I believe he honestly didn't know/remember the poor fellow's name. Same for bass players, I've seen his guitar player tell Bill the bass player's name quietly while Bill was going through the part of the show he felt as important, "introducing all the Blue Grass Boys and the state they're from".
Bill had a LOT of fill-in sidemen! Often picked up right at the gig.
Ric in Richmond - Posted - 06/03/2013: 03:09:10
Peter Rowan talks about his time with Bill Monroe on XM's track by track this week. You can listen online if you sign up for a free trial. Go to the on demand section and look for track by track.
siriusxm.com/ If I didn't have sirius XM for bluegrass on a daily basis I am not sure what I would do!!!!
Rown also discusses his time with Bill when on NPR's Freash Air with Terry Gross.
npr.org/2010/11/23/131545079/t...rass-band
Now Rowan himself has to be an interesting person. SO many different influences and experiences. Really like what I heard from his new album on track by track.
Peter is complimentary of Bill, but also recognizes that the bus was a very quiet place most of the time and only infrequently would Bill open up. He also notes that Bill was VERY intentional with what he did and how he did it.
Edited by - Ric in Richmond on 06/03/2013 03:22:13
pick it - Posted - 06/03/2013: 04:18:19
When Bill was puting on a festival in my hometown Ashland Ky ,Kenny Baker was at my house having a jam session and dinner, me, my Dad and Kenny had been up to Jenkins Ky all day to his old home place.anyway while the jam was going on Bill called from his motel room (the Henry Clay) he had written an instrumental and wanted Kenny to hear it over the phone on the mandolin.the number was called Ashland Breakdown.Kenny talked a lot about Bill ,saying the Chief run a tight ship ,Kenny being a Navy man ,said Bill was always in thought about his music.one thing Bill didn't approve was drinking,which Kenny liked homemade moonshine Dad always had some on hand for him.
OSCAR82AA - Posted - 06/03/2013: 13:18:40
I agree with Banjophopic and appreciate all the music Bill Monroe made.
No matter what kind of man he was or was not, ain't none of us going to spend time with him today I hope.
dmiller - Posted - 06/03/2013: 13:28:51
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
One thing Bill didn't approve was drinking,which Kenny liked homemade
moonshine Dad always had some on hand for him.
True. I had the distinct honor of doing a moonshine run for Kenny at
Bean Blossom back in 76 or 77. Bill "tolerated" it if it was Kenny. 
pick it - Posted - 06/03/2013: 13:50:49
quote:
Originally posted by dmiller
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
One thing Bill didn't approve was drinking,which Kenny liked homemade
moonshine Dad always had some on hand for him.
True. I had the distinct honor of doing a moonshine run for Kenny at
Bean Blossom back in 76 or 77. Bill "tolerated" it if it was Kenny.
Bill would overlook it if Kenny didn't shove it in his face,once in 1970 when were jamming at Beanblossom Kenny stepped inside the camper to take a drink, Bill was walking by and Kenny ducked down out of sight.
pick it - Posted - 06/03/2013: 14:47:46
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Always looking for a fight... But I told that story many times while Bill was still alive -BHO members who were active on the old BANJO-L quite likely remember- and I'd have happily told it to his face if the opportunity had ever come around.
Fact is, I stood ten feet away and watched mister Monroe molest a pretty 17 year old girl who had asked him if he'd pose for a picture with her. He said "Sure, little lady!", slipped his arm around her; cupping her right breast in the palm of his hand, and grinned into the camera like a jack-o-lantern. He knew exactly what he was doing and he wasn't ashamed of it one little bit.
So here's a hint: if you don't want people to call you a dirty old man after you're gone then don't behave like one while you're alive.
~Pete
you had the opportunity when you claimed he did it.what happened?
stanger - Posted - 06/03/2013: 15:29:13
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Danger
I've read MANY first-hand accounts regarding Monroe's personality and his interactions with folks, and I came to the conclusion that I'd be hard pressed to spend any time with this individual -- personally or professionally. Life's too short to put up with jerks.
I had the chance to hang out with him for over 90 minutes after a show once. It was just me, a good friend and him, in an empty lobby, and he was extremely personable. My friend is a mando player, and Bill handed him his Loar without being asked, and proceeded to un-case his other, newer F-5, Gibson and swapped tunes with my buddy while regaling us with stories about how he composed his tunes.
Butch Robbins was his banjoist at the time, and was also is unofficial handler; Butch came in the building twice to fetch Bill up and put him on the bus, but Bill was having fun hanging out with us and didn't want to go. Butch finally got the job done, though.
The man had a lot of pride, and was an old-fashioned guy, but he was far from being a jerk. He was very generous in complementing his band onstage during the show, and generous with his compliments to my friend's playing. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the evening.
regards,
stanger
Ron C - Posted - 06/03/2013: 16:07:17
I had a little experience associated with Bill Monroe back in the late 80s or maybe as late as 1991. He was performing at the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts just outside of Denver, CO. Not only did he have his full band at the time, but there was a "young" lady, probably in her late 30s to early 40s who was traveling with the band. He put her up as a lead singer for 2 songs, as I recall. She was terrible, just terrible. Her off key screeching was almost cartoonish. I had invited some friends to see Bill Monroe and gave them the history of his contributions to Bluegrass. Frankly, I was embarrassed for having brought them to hear the ghastly honks of this woman.
After the show, while Bill Monroe was greeting people at the stage, I shook his hand and asked about the woman as I had never known a woman to be a lead singer for his band. He said he discovered her, and was giving her a chance for the big time.
Blake Edwards, the banjo player, had a different story. He laughed and said that she was Mr. Monroe's traveling lady friend and admitted that he was not all too happy about having her perform. But, he said, it was not his decision to make.
This is not to diminish his remarkable contributions to creating and sustaining Bluegrass. It more is a demonstration that he was pretty spunky for an old guy.
Pluckin Mutha - Posted - 06/03/2013: 16:23:59
I have posted this before, but it's worth repeating:
I'll take the opportunity to tell you of the greatest person I have met,
and
He was the greatest!
On a Saturday morning, back in 1971, I was asleep with a hangover, when I was awakened at 7:30 a.m. by a phone call from a friend, Doug Benson, from the Toronto Area Bluegrass Committee. He asked, "How would you like to meet Bill Monroe, and maybe spend a bit of time with him?
Wwwwwould I?
Doug said, "Bill and the Bluegrass Boys, and also the Earl Scruggs Revue, are in town to tape segments for the Tommy Hunter Show. You have to meet us by 9:00, at the "Four Seasons".
I lived an hour from Toronto and about 1-1/4 hours from the "Four Seasons", I threw some water on my face, and some clothes on my body, and raced to my 1971 Toyota Corona. Speeding down Highway 401, I was stopped by the O.P.P., and given a ticket for driving 105 mph, in a 70 mph zone. Did I care????? NOT!!!
Doug and I had breakfast with Bill Monroe, Kenny Baker, and Joe Stuart.
James Monroe came in late, to Bill's chagrin (another story). Mr Monroe picked up the tab, and we made our way to the CBC studios.
Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys taped their segment, and the Earl Scruggs revue taped theirs. I got a perfunctory intro to Earl, but that was about all.
After the taping we went our ways for the afternoon, then Doug and I picked up Bill Monroe, and Kenny Baker. We made our way to the "Fiddler's Green" coffee house, with Bill and Kenny in the back seat of my Corona. We had offered Bill the passenger seat, but he declined.
At the Fiddlers Green, in a private moment, Bill who had learned that I had studied English Literature, played a new tune for me, a work in progress, which he thought had the sound of an English "Air". He asked me if I had any ideas for a title. I choked and went blank. I lost any bragging rights I might have earned by naming a Bill Monroe tune. I don't think, "yamada, yamada, yamada" cut it!
We spent a few hours there while Bill and kenny played a few tunes accompanied by some of the local pickers, before I drove them back to their hotel.
What were they like?
True Gentlemen! Bill Monroe was the most gracious, down to earth man anyone could hope to meet.
Many of the scenes from that day are as vivid as if they were yesterday. It was my thrill of a lifetime.
Mutha
Edited by - Pluckin Mutha on 06/03/2013 16:24:22
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/03/2013: 16:32:34
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Always looking for a fight... But I told that story many times while Bill was still alive -BHO members who were active on the old BANJO-L quite likely remember- and I'd have happily told it to his face if the opportunity had ever come around.
Fact is, I stood ten feet away and watched mister Monroe molest a pretty 17 year old girl who had asked him if he'd pose for a picture with her. He said "Sure, little lady!", slipped his arm around her; cupping her right breast in the palm of his hand, and grinned into the camera like a jack-o-lantern. He knew exactly what he was doing and he wasn't ashamed of it one little bit.
So here's a hint: if you don't want people to call you a dirty old man after you're gone then don't behave like one while you're alive.
~Pete
you had the opportunity when you claimed he did it.what happened?
Had the opportunity to do what? Walk up and call Bill a dirty old man when the girl in question was royally ticked off -"Bill Monroe just felt me up!" she sputtered- but didn't want to cause a scene?
If I'd had my way she'd have preferred charges against him -and probably be ignored since this was back in the '70s and cops back then generally failed to take molestation (or even rape) very seriously- but it was her call on what to do: not mine.
fiddlin_Al - Posted - 06/03/2013: 18:17:33
I first saw & met Bill while living in Kutztown, PA. in the early 70's. He was playing at a local county fair. I remember Kenny & Jack Hicks were in the band. I think I was the only one in the audience who called out requests. Years later, when I had become a member of Vernon McIntyre's band, "Appalachian Grass, he booked our band on many of his festivals and had us perform as his guests on the Opry. I remember him telling me in jest he was glad I had made " something of myself" when he recognised me from the concert in Kutztown. He was always very nice to me. I asked him one time what I had to do to be a great player, he said " you've got to love it (bluegrass) more than anything else".
I was really in awe of him, but If he didn't like you, he let you know it in his own way.
From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/04/2013: 04:00:43
I met Bill Monroe several times and he always treated me well. But beyond that I have the greatest respect for the man. He was disciplined, tough in a good way and committed to his music and his fans. I saw him play many a show late at night at Bean Blossom when it had turned very cool. He always always gave his best. How many of us can say that about ourselves.
He came up the hard way loosing both his mother and father at an early age and being left by his brothers while still in his young teens as they had to leave Rosine KY to make a living. Nothing was given to him and he had to scrap for everything all his life. He was a crosseyed young boy that would hide from people because he was ashamed of that. For the strength he showed and for what he created, I have the greatest respect.
Yes OP I think you did read too much into that. When Bill made and introduction like that I took it to show that he was thinking the music and the banjo and not the personalities.
PeterMaier - Posted - 06/04/2013: 06:38:09
My only encounter with Monroe led to me to conclude that he was someone who commanded respect and was agreeable enough if he got it. I was about 22 in 1972 and attending a festival near Cumberland Maryland that was hit by Saturday night rains that turned the campground into a quagmire. We went for breakfast to the Holiday Inn, where Bill Monroe stood alone in the lobby. I walked up to him, addressed him as "Mr. Monroe," and he extended his hand. I briefly told him what the grounds were like. "Is it bad?" he asked. I told him we'd be sorry to miss the gospel sing. He said he understood and said "hope to see you again." But my friend, who approached him later and called him "Bill," had a very different experience.
ACFairbanks - Posted - 06/04/2013: 14:15:53
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Always looking for a fight... But I told that story many times while Bill was still alive -BHO members who were active on the old BANJO-L quite likely remember- and I'd have happily told it to his face if the opportunity had ever come around.
Fact is, I stood ten feet away and watched mister Monroe molest a pretty 17 year old girl who had asked him if he'd pose for a picture with her. He said "Sure, little lady!", slipped his arm around her; cupping her right breast in the palm of his hand, and grinned into the camera like a jack-o-lantern. He knew exactly what he was doing and he wasn't ashamed of it one little bit.
So here's a hint: if you don't want people to call you a dirty old man after you're gone then don't behave like one while you're alive.
~Pete
you had the opportunity when you claimed he did it.what happened?
Had the opportunity to do what? Walk up and call Bill a dirty old man when the girl in question was royally ticked off -"Bill Monroe just felt me up!" she sputtered- but didn't want to cause a scene?
If I'd had my way she'd have preferred charges against him -and probably be ignored since this was back in the '70s and cops back then generally failed to take molestation (or even rape) very seriously- but it was her call on what to do: not mine.
Howdy Pete,
I never met the man, but suspect that he was a lot like many of us here:
He probably did things of which he could be proud, and some of which he might be ashamed. As is true for most, if not all of us here, he was a musical genius of the first order...
But others have written interesting things about Mr. Monroe.
Instead, I want to observe something about the comments generated by your story about the 17 year old girl:
As I read those comments I saw a parallel to the sexual harassment, and sexual assault problems, the US seems to have in its military. As you may know, women in the military often hesitate to report such abuse explaining that the men seem immediately to "circle the wagons." Those women who do decide to report such abuse often describe how they are asked, over, and over again, if they "really want to destroy the career" of the man whom they are reporting.
They talk about this Alice In Wonderland inversion. Somehow, the victim becomes the perpetrator, and the perpetrator must be protected...
I was reminded of those situations as I read this thread because the same thing seems to be happening here.
There were a few expressions of concern about the behavior you witnessed, but much more intense reactions questioning you, and your motivation to somehow try to destroy the sainted man.
One wonders what those reactions might have looked like had the 17 year old been a daughter, or granddaughter, of some of the folks taking you to task for having the audacity to merely describe what you observed.
Indeed, the wagons seem to be circling yet again...
All the best,
A.C.
Edited by - ACFairbanks on 06/04/2013 14:18:46
DHutchens - Posted - 06/04/2013: 15:46:18
The Monroe family has been just like family to me. I worked with Birch and Bertha at Bean Blossom for a month before the festival in 71, and after Bill's passing James and I have worked together several times, they were just like family..... I grew up around older folks in my family and they were all cut from the same bolt of cloth.... Your word is your bond, hard work, and a firm handshake...
I was associated with Bill for the last 26 years of his life.... He gave me the opportunity to go on the road and be a member of the Blue Grass Boys and we had great times and even one time that he really got mad with me, but that didn't last long and a short time later he asked me to come to Nashville and manage the museum he built on Music Valley Drive... He asked me at the Kentucky Fried Chicken Festival in Louisville "when I was coming to "town"". I couldn't tell him that I would be there on Tuesday, but said I'd be down soon. We had a surprise birthday party planned for him on that Tuesday evening. He told me that night to come by the office the next morning, he had something he wanted to show me. I went on over and we drove over to the Music Valley Drive Location.... The planets were just not in alignment for that, but we had many other great times together...
Starting in 82 for 8 or 9 years I put together Birthday Celebrations for him as well as in 89 convincing Henry Juskiewicz the President of Gibson into doing the Gibson Bill Monroe Poster and acted as a go between with Bill on the Monroe model F5....
At Bill services in Rosine I experienced the saddest day of my life to that point, yet one of the highest honors when I was asked to Call The Roll of Blue Grass Boys in attendance...
Later James ask me to put together some Blue Grass Boy Reunion's at Rosine saying that he knew that I would take care of things in a way his Father would like....I later commissioned several prints for those gatherings and put together a 32 page booklet of stories from those sessions called Howdy, Folks Howdy.
If anyone is interested in reading about some of my experiences during the time I was in the band I've written many entries in my blog...you can check them out starting at doughutchens.blogspot.com/2011...1971.html
I learned a lot from his silence, because if you didn't understand his silence, you'd not understand his words..
I miss him everyday
Edited by - DHutchens on 06/04/2013 15:48:20
pick it - Posted - 06/04/2013: 16:29:30
AC less turn that around, if someone bashed and accused your deceased Grandfather on a public forum without proof of truth of the things implied here what would you do? my thought is let the dead rest.
UncleClawhammer - Posted - 06/04/2013: 16:56:07
One thing people always seem to say about Bill Monroe is that he, "didn't suffer fools." But from various anecdotes it seems that, to him, a fool was pretty much anyone who was not Bill Monroe. I do know that he's one of my favorite musicians, and I respect him as a musician enormously.
From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:00:14
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by banjerman
It would be hard to judge Bill with todays yardstick. He came from a different time and he was a product of his age. I loved his music but he sure wadnt coming to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.
Wally
Particularly if you happen to have a pretty wife or daughter...
~Pete
this is not the first time you have made a slur in regards to Bill concerning women.apparently you feel the need to trash one that has passed on and unable to respond to your claims. Thats very big of you.
Always looking for a fight... But I told that story many times while Bill was still alive -BHO members who were active on the old BANJO-L quite likely remember- and I'd have happily told it to his face if the opportunity had ever come around.
Fact is, I stood ten feet away and watched mister Monroe molest a pretty 17 year old girl who had asked him if he'd pose for a picture with her. He said "Sure, little lady!", slipped his arm around her; cupping her right breast in the palm of his hand, and grinned into the camera like a jack-o-lantern. He knew exactly what he was doing and he wasn't ashamed of it one little bit.
So here's a hint: if you don't want people to call you a dirty old man after you're gone then don't behave like one while you're alive.
~Pete
you had the opportunity when you claimed he did it.what happened?
Had the opportunity to do what? Walk up and call Bill a dirty old man when the girl in question was royally ticked off -"Bill Monroe just felt me up!" she sputtered- but didn't want to cause a scene?
If I'd had my way she'd have preferred charges against him -and probably be ignored since this was back in the '70s and cops back then generally failed to take molestation (or even rape) very seriously- but it was her call on what to do: not mine.
You have told this story many times on line. Bill lived a long and public life. I have heard no one chime in and say this happened to us also. I had seen Monroe hug girls and he gave them a squeeze with his arms around their shoulders and I will say he enjoyed the ladies. But maybe there was an inadvertent touch, maybe there was a lapse in judgment or maybe there were people involved prone to conflict. What ever the truth of this occurrence I do not believes it warrants the character assassination you have put on the man.
ken
pick it - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:04:49
quote:
Originally posted by UncleClawhammer
One thing people always seem to say about Bill Monroe is that he, "didn't suffer fools." But from various anecdotes it seems that, to him, a fool was pretty much anyone who was not Bill Monroe. I do know that he's one of my favorite musicians, and I respect him as a musician enormously.
n
I can't believe the people that didn't know him say things like you said.you've really never watched his shows have you? if you did you would see introductions like "here a good banjo picker to do you a number" "heres the greatest fiddle player in bluegrass music,Kenny Baker" thats the way Bill was on stage.does it sound like they were thought of as fools?yes there are some fools.
ACFairbanks - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:05:38
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
AC less turn that around, if someone bashed and accused your deceased Grandfather on a public forum without proof of truth of the things implied here what would you do? my thought is let the dead rest.
Howdy,
I don't think that Pete "implied" anything. He described something that he observed.
All the best,
A.C,
pick it - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:12:13
quote:
Originally posted by ACFairbanks
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
AC less turn that around, if someone bashed and accused your deceased Grandfather on a public forum without proof of truth of the things implied here what would you do? my thought is let the dead rest.
Howdy,
I don't think that Pete "implied" anything. He described something that he observed.
All the best,
A.C,
he accused Bill of molesting a 17 year old,and do you want to answer my question?
ACFairbanks - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:42:56
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
quote:
Originally posted by ACFairbanks
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
AC less turn that around, if someone bashed and accused your deceased Grandfather on a public forum without proof of truth of the things implied here what would you do? my thought is let the dead rest.
Howdy,
I don't think that Pete "implied" anything. He described something that he observed.
All the best,
A.C,
he accused Bill of molesting a 17 year old,and do you want to answer my question?
Howdy,
You asked your question as you chose to construct it, and that's fine with me.
And, I answered as I chose to offer my response.
Also, as I mentioned in my comments to Pete, I find it interesting that yet again, some seem interested in the "Alice In Wonderland" inversion of the situation. In my view, you are fully entitled to offer your perspectives on Bill Monroe, whether they might be based on personal experiences, or anything else. But so are folks like Pete free to offer theirs, whether you, or I, like those perspectives or not.
All the best,
A.C.
All the best,
A.C.
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:48:59
quote:
Originally posted by pick it
my thought is let the dead rest.
They're going to rest irregardless of how they're remembered.
What you're really saying here is "don't say anything that makes me uncomfortable", which would lead to history books having chapters such as "Pol Pot: Master of Ballroom Dance"; and that's not going to happen.
Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 06/04/2013: 17:56:36
quote:
Originally posted by ACFairbanks
I never met the man, but suspect that he was a lot like many of us here:
He probably did things of which he could be proud, and some of which he might be ashamed. As is true for most, if not all of us here, he was a musical genius of the first order...
But others have written interesting things about Mr. Monroe.
Instead, I want to observe something about the comments generated by your story about the 17 year old girl:
As I read those comments I saw a parallel to the sexual harassment, and sexual assault problems, the US seems to have in its military. As you may know, women in the military often hesitate to report such abuse explaining that the men seem immediately to "circle the wagons." Those women who do decide to report such abuse often describe how they are asked, over, and over again, if they "really want to destroy the career" of the man whom they are reporting.
They talk about this Alice In Wonderland inversion. Somehow, the victim becomes the perpetrator, and the perpetrator must be protected...
I was reminded of those situations as I read this thread because the same thing seems to be happening here.
There were a few expressions of concern about the behavior you witnessed, but much more intense reactions questioning you, and your motivation to somehow try to destroy the sainted man.
One wonders what those reactions might have looked like had the 17 year old been a daughter, or granddaughter, of some of the folks taking you to task for having the audacity to merely describe what you observed.
Indeed, the wagons seem to be circling yet again...
All the best,
A.C.
Exactly.
Monroe was a musical genius. Iconic. Without him and his drive to excel there would never have been what we now call Bluegrass music, and Earl Scruggs would most likely have remained an unknown young man who played the banjo strictly for enjoyment.
But for all Bill's talent, he also had feet of clay -as do many, if not all of us- and to forget the clay while praising the genius is to present a dishonest picture of what he was really like.
History without the warts isn't history: it's fiction.
~Pete
ACFairbanks - Posted - 06/04/2013: 18:02:09
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf Lester Crawdad
quote:
Originally posted by ACFairbanks
I never met the man, but suspect that he was a lot like many of us here:
He probably did things of which he could be proud, and some of which he might be ashamed. As is true for most, if not all of us here, he was a musical genius of the first order...
But others have written interesting things about Mr. Monroe.
Instead, I want to observe something about the comments generated by your story about the 17 year old girl:
As I read those comments I saw a parallel to the sexual harassment, and sexual assault problems, the US seems to have in its military. As you may know, women in the military often hesitate to report such abuse explaining that the men seem immediately to "circle the wagons." Those women who do decide to report such abuse often describe how they are asked, over, and over again, if they "really want to destroy the career" of the man whom they are reporting.
They talk about this Alice In Wonderland inversion. Somehow, the victim becomes the perpetrator, and the perpetrator must be protected...
I was reminded of those situations as I read this thread because the same thing seems to be happening here.
There were a few expressions of concern about the behavior you witnessed, but much more intense reactions questioning you, and your motivation to somehow try to destroy the sainted man.
One wonders what those reactions might have looked like had the 17 year old been a daughter, or granddaughter, of some of the folks taking you to task for having the audacity to merely describe what you observed.
Indeed, the wagons seem to be circling yet again...
All the best,
A.C.
Exactly.
Monroe was a musical genius. Iconic. Without him and his drive to excel there would never have been what we now call Bluegrass music, and Earl Scruggs would most likely have remained an unknown young man who played the banjo strictly for enjoyment.
But for all Bill's talent, he also had feet of clay -as do many, if not all of us- and to forget the clay while praising the genius is to present a dishonest picture of what he was really like.
History without the warts isn't history: it's fiction.
~Pete
Hi Pete,
I very much appreciate your comments about all of this, but, sadly, you seem to have revealed yourself to be a man who never had the pleasure of seeing Pol Pot dance...
All the best,
A.C.
pick it - Posted - 06/04/2013: 18:43:09
Pete you have gone to a new low on this forum, to associate Bill Monroe in a moment of alleged bad judgment along with such a tyrant as a proven cold blooded killer as Pol Pot. I've got to hand it to you on this one. thank God I am not programmed like you. accusations without proof will not convict .
I f it don't fit you must acquit,: Johnny Cochran
Edited by - pick it on 06/04/2013 18:51:41
pick it - Posted - 06/04/2013: 18:48:19
AC I'll answer your question another way, I would not like having my Daughter/Granddaughter dragged through the mud as Bill was here,now how about you Grandfather?
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