James Monroe’s Bluegrass Music Hall
Thursday, April 20, 2006
A steady dose of bluegrass, country and “ole-time” music with singers and dancers begins this week in Simpson County, KY with the opening of the James Monroe Bluegrass Music Hall.
The 800-seat auditorium and RV campground, which could swell up to 100 spaces, was scheduled to begin producing live music Wednesday night on a five-acre tract on U.S. 31-W south near the I-65 interchange. Monroe hopes to attract music lovers from across Kentucky and Tennessee.
“We’re proud to be here. It’s a pretty place,” Monroe said. “We expect to draw a lot of people from Nashville and even Louisville eventually.”
He’ll draw a crowd with his famous name alone. His father, Bill Monroe, is also considered the “Father of Bluegrass Music.”
Owner James Monroe, who played in his dad’s band for seven years, formed his own popular band, The Midnight Ramblers, which will play several nights throughout the year. Named to the Iowa Music Hall of Fame in 2003, The Midnight Ramblers have performed in the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall and at bluegrass festivals across the United States since coming together in 1971.
The opening four-day extravaganza is called “Springtime in Kentucky Bluegrass Music Festival,” which started Wednesday and runs through Saturday. A wide array of well-known talent will take the stage at the facility, which also features concessions, a souvenir shop and exhibits, such as Bill Monroe’s 1923 Gibson mandolin. The mandolin will be on display Saturday and then returned to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“We’ll try to add something to it (site) every year,” Monroe said. “We’re working on the campground now, and we’re going to start with 27 camp sites. As soon as we can, we’re going to make it larger with maybe another 100 camp sites next fall.”
Monroe is promoting a family atmosphere, and no alcohol will be served. The hall is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and can be leased for other events, such as conventions and weddings.
Shows will be held on Friday and Saturday nights through December. Big names who are scheduled to take the mike during the inaugural season are Earl Thomas Conley, John Conlee, Mel McDaniel, Ray Price, Jean Shepard, John Anderson, Jimmy C. Newman, Jack Greene, Gene Watson, Vern Gosden, Bobby Bare and Billy Walker.
Among the entertainers who are scheduled to appear this week are Bobby Osborne, Mac Wiseman and Roni Stoneman.
