THE MANDOLIN OF

BILL MONROE

DVD 1

Mandolin Tuition DVD

On this instructional and entertaining session, the late Bill Monroe - widely known as the "father of bluegrass" - discusses and demonstrates the instrumental techniques that changed the course of American music.  The camera's eye reveals, up close and in detail, Bill's incredible facility and inventiveness on the mandolin as he plays and sings, both alone and backed-up by his long time band, The Blue Grass Boys.

You'll see and hear Bill Monroe play twenty-seven tunes (some recorded here for the first time), including favourites such as Rawhide, Wheel Hoss, Tennessee Blues, Dusty Miller, Roanoke Pike, Country Breakdown, Blue Grass Stomp, Get Up John, Katy Hill, and Rocky Road Blues.

In an intimate conversation with fellow musician John Hartford, Bill discusses a wide variety of topics: His musical development, ideas about performing and songwriting, memories of childhood, early touring days, his years on the Grand Ole Opry and much more.

Bonus: Previously unseen footage of a performance for President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1980, including rare duets between Bill Monroe and Doc Watson.