Learning that Monroe was about to be reunited with his famed mandolin that had been badly damaged in an act of vandalism, the two made plans to travel to Nashville the following week to video Monroe being reunited at the Gibson factory with his July 9, 1923 Lloyd Loar mandolin. In the process they would also tape an interview with Charlie Derrington and later the same day meet with Monroe on his farm for an additional interview.
These events all lead up to what has become known as the The Scott Wright collection, historic footage surrounding a few key days in 1986 with Bill Monroe as the subject matter. The tapes were stored in Wright's home on 3/4" videocassette tape for over 30 years before turning them over to the Mandolin Cafe with the wish they be shared with the general public.
The start of the video shows Monroe meeting concert organizers with the interview beginning at approximately 1:36. The interview takes place in the locker room of the Denver Nuggets NBA basketball team. As with other footage from the collection, it's presented here unedited as originally filmed.
Discussed in the interview: Uncle Pen, Arnold Shultz, how early blues influenced Bluegrass, Monroe's work as a barn dancer in Chicago, The Monroe Brothers, the baseball teams, the early Bluegrass Boys, the first time the band played "Muleskinner Blues" on the Opry, tent shows, visiting Israel, the vandalism of his mandolin, Elvis and more!
Other Videos in the Wright Collection
- Charlie Derrington Interview
- Bill Monroe Receives his Mandolin from Gibson - The Video
- Bill Monroe Farm Interview - February 25, 1986
Photo credit: Scott Wright
Photo credit: Scott Wright
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