Bluegrass Music

Bluegrass music has its root in the people who migrated to America in the early 1600's. That means the dance music and ballads from England, Ireland and Scotland. Even the African Americans brought the design idea for the banjo which is and integral instrument in creating the sound of bluegrass music. As the settlers began to spread out from Jamestown they composed new songs about their everyday life experiences in this new land.

Almost all the people live in rural areas so the songs reflected life in the hills or on the farm. This music was called country music and until the invention of the phonograph and the radio in the early 1900's it was played and sung it those areas. When it was broadcast to the people all over the United States it became very popular. It was very important to have good singers sing the tunes over the radio and stars like the Monroe Brothers and family bands like the Carter family became very popular. The Monroe Brothers were most popular during the 20's and 30's.

One played the guitar and the other played the mandolin. They both sang in harmony. They split in the 30's and one brother went to Kentucky and formed a band called Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. They appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 performing Bluegrass music. In the 1960's bluegrass music festivals were first introduced. These festivals featured bands in competitions with each other. These events along with television and commercial soundtracks that feature bluegrass music have brought it out for the public to enjoy and love.