I have to say that I was pretty sure that Bill Monroe was finally going to be honoured in 2011 by having his visage on a US Postage Stamp. Apparently, in spite of a ten year campaign by his fans and admirers from all over the World, this is not to be,and as a serious and long time fan, I count myself among the seriously disappointed. Born in 1911, 2011 would be the Centenary of his birth, and for a man who almost single-handedly invented an American music genre, Monroe should have been on the stamp.
All over the World, fans and bluegrass music lovers are planning gigs and events and festivals to commemorate this wonderful creator, and we here at NTB manor hope to play our part. I have been working on a new tribute song to the Master, and also a Mandolin instrumental of the kind Monroe himself would have been pleased with. All going well, these should turn up on the new NTB CD, due for release to co-inside with Bill's Centenary.
I am also looking forward to meeting you all again at live shows this year. Roll on the Festival Season 2011 ............ Niall.
