Bill Monroe (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) developed the style of country music known as bluegrass, which takes its title from either his band, a "Blue Grass Boys," named for his front yard state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned Sixty years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader. He is typically known as "the father of bluegrass."

Natural within Rosine, Kentucky, his career began in the 1930s when he and his older brother Charlie began performing as a duet, a Monroe Brothers. Around 1939, after the brothers parted ways, Monroe formed a number 1 edition of a Blue Grass Boys, & the equivalent month became a regular on the Grand Ole Opry.

As a mandolin player, Monroe brought a virtuosity antecedently unknown within country and western to his instrument. Around 1945 he hired Earl Scruggs, who likewise elevated a role of the banjo. This version of the Blue Grass Boys, which likewise involved singer/guitarist Lester Flatt, Chubby Wise on fiddle, and Cedric Rainwater on bass, made a foremost recordings that featured all the elements that late come to become referred to as bluegrass music.

Further than 150 musicians played in a Blue Grass Boys across the years. Numbers of late became stars in their have perfect, including Mac Wiseman, Sonny Osborne, Jimmy Martin, Don Reno, David "Stringbean" Akeman, Del McCoury, Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, and Randall Franks.

Bill Monroe was inducted into a Country Music Hall of Fame in 1971, the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor as an inaugural inductee around 1991, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as an "early influence") in 1997. He is the lone performing artist honored altogether tercet. His easily-known song Blue Moon of Kentucky has been covered by both rock & roll & bluegrass creative person.