Museum

In 1965, the National Life and Accident Insurance Company sponsored the syndicated TV series National Life Grand Ole Opry. WSM-TV produced the shows (WSM Radio and WSM-TV were owned by the insurance company at the time), which featured performances by Opry members and invited guests. By 1967, the program had reached at least eighteen major cities, including Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Houston. Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys are featured in this screening of three episodes from the 1960s. Funded in part by the Foundation for Bluegrass Music. 75 minutes. Free.  Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives.  

Austin City Limits aired a special tribute to Bill Monroe following his death in 1996 at age 85. The show compiled footage from Monroe's 1981 and 1986 appearances on the program. The set includes Monroe compositions and bluegrass standards "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Bluegrass Breakdown," "Uncle Pen," and others. Big Mon's performance of "The Old Crossroads" is a highlight, as is his duet with Ralph Stanley on "Can't You Hear Me Callin'."  Jim & Jesse and Mac Wiseman also perform. Funded in part by the Foundation for Bluegrass Music. 60 minutes. Free.  Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives.  

Relished for his casual interview style, Bobby Bare hosted a weekly television show on The Nashville Network in the early 1980s. In this episode, Bare features bluegrass legends Bill Monroe and Mac Wiseman as well as then-newcomer Mike Snider. Monroe talks about his Kentucky roots and creating his own style of music in 1938. "I put some blues, little bit of jazz, Scotch bagpipe, old-time fiddle music, and a lot of gospel," Monroe explains to Bare. Late fiddle legend Kenny Baker is also prominently featured. Funded in part by the Foundation for Bluegrass Music. 50 minutes. Free.  Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives.