Indiana To Dedicate Marker Honoring Bluegrass Music Venue

Associated Press

Bill Monroe, shown here performing in 1985, started an annual bluegrass festival in Bean Blossom that's now in it's 50th year.
*AP photo*

BEAN BLOSSOM, Ind. (AP) — A rustic southern Indiana music park founded by bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe is getting a state historical marker celebrating its musical heritage.

The Indiana Historical Bureau will dedicate the marker June 7 outside Bill Monroe's Memorial Music Park and Campground at Brown County's Bean Blossom village.

The marker titled "Brown County Bluegrass Music" will pay homage to bluegrass music's importance in Indiana. The dedication will be followed by a jam of Monroe's music.

The Kentucky native bought the rustic southern Indiana property in the early 1950s and later started an annual bluegrass festival that's now in its 50th year.

Monroe was known as the father of bluegrass music and wrote several bluegrass classics, including "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Pike County Breakdown."

He died in 1996 at age 84.

Tags:Brown County

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

Lafayette Symphony Orchestra picks new leader, makes history as first African American in the role

After a two year search, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra has selected a new conductor and artistic director. WFYI’s Abriana Herron spoke with Kellen Gray who will become the orchestra’s first African American conductor and the second Black artistic leader of a professional orchestra in the state.

Arts & Culture / July 3, 2024

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese headline WNBA All-Star team that will face US Olympic squad

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will team up on the WNBA All-Star team to play against the U.S. Olympic team led by A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. The pair of remarkable rookies were selected Tuesday by a combination of votes from the media, fans, players and the league’s 12 coaches to play in Phoenix on July 20. Clark was the leading vote-getter from the fans with her Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston finishing second. Reese was fifth. Joining the rookies on the WNBA team were DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones of Connecticut, Allisha Gray of Atlanta, Dearica Hamby of Los Angeles, Jonquel Jones of New York, Kayla McBride of Minnesota, Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle and Arike Ogunbowale of Dallas.