Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky
The acoustic instrumentation enveloped with harmonious pulsing vocals and Appalachian melancholy, that unmistakable bluegrass sound, rose to prominence in the 1940s. Founder Bill Monroe, a hard-headed character dubbed the “Father of Bluegrass,” grew up in Rosine, Kentucky. He picked up the mandolin as a youngin’ in an airy off-white rural home with a roomy meadow-green trimmed porch where musical flair overflowed. A forty-mile stretch navigating the Natcher Parkway leads you from his quaint origins to Owensboro, Kentucky, home of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum.
Located in the refined and sprouting downtown, the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum is suited for both novice explorers and conversant longtime devotees. The walking timeline immerses you into every era of the format through multimedia exhibitions and artifacts housed behind unblemished glass displays. Your self-guided tour begins with delicate archetypical instruments that were once picked, sawed, and plucked by the hands of revolutionary artists now esteemed in historical accounts.
The communal veneration among bluegrass artists is detectable as you ponder the multi-generational collaborations. There are no signs of phasing out; it’s an exalting admiration. Polished and shiny copper plaques commemorating the inductees into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, the genre’s most prestigious honor, adorns the upper level. You’ll see iconic names like New Grass Revival highlighted in this tribute to the members.
2023 Inductees:
Charles Samuel “Sam” Bush - Distinguished mandolin player who ushered in the newgrass sub-genre.
Wilma Leigh Leary “Wilma Lee” Cooper - Grand Ole Opry member who was praised for her mountain-style of singing.
David Jay Grisman - Mandolin player known for his creation of “Dawg music.”
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The impact of the Cohen Brother’s Great Depression-era film ignited a national surge in 2001. Every industry accolade for album of the year – Grammy, Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, International Bluegrass Music Association – was bestowed to the movie soundtrack. It gave then-75-year-old Dr. Ralph Stanley a win for Best Male Country Performance at the Grammy’s and secured him a performance slot on the 2002 telecast where he sang “O’ Death.” The album’s influence sparked a cultural marvel, eventually selling over eight million copies. View movie memorabilia during your tour!
Growing up in a home with no cable, PBS became my source to consume new music outside of the contemporary radio fare. Shows like Soundstage, Mountain Stage, and Austin City Limits broadened my musical prospects, leading me to Nickel Creek, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and more. The Grand Ole Opry’s inclusion of the genre played an important role, too. Soon, I was exploring Del McCoury, The Grascals, Osborne Brothers, and Rhonda Vincent.
Current Trends
A mix of streaming platforms positively enables the discovery of new acts like Billy Strings and Town Mountain. Sturgill Simpson contributed a Bluegrass-flavored edition of some of his beloved material, becoming one of the year’s biggest-selling vinyl releases. The best of Bluegrass is often spotted on well-known festival lineups across the world including ROMP, the annual must-attend event presented by the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum taking place in Owensboro.
Plan Your Visit
Admission for the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors/active military, $8 for students 6-18, and free for anyone younger than six. When is the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum open? Operating hours are 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Central from Wednesday – Sunday.