My Old Kentucky Second Home

LEXINGTON, KY -- Spring has sprung down South which means one thing, horse racing season is upon on us in Bluegrass country. As an adopted son of the South, one of my goals for this music blog is to 'learn y'all non-Southerners a thing or two about the South.' Fortunately, I was able to travel north on I-65 this weekend to Keeneland opening weekend in Lexington to participate in the long-standing traditions of chugging Makers Mark, losing some money on the 4-6-8 trifecta in race 9, and dirtying up my nice track clothes in the mud. Kentucky is known for a few key things: pretty horses and fast women, with bluegrass music and bourbon fighting it out for third.

For the travel north, I packed my Bill Monnroe 'Blue ... Blue ... Bluegrass' CD fresh from the packaging after purchasing it at the Nashville Flea Market last Sunday afternoon. As I drove north through hill country Saturday morning, I had a chance to listen to the album a couple times and really think about the beauty of it. The best way to describe it like a hot dog at the ballgame ... the hot dog in itself is decent enough, but when you throw in the perfect setting, like Wrigley for example, it just makes the hot dog that much better. The setting and the context make it that much better. In this case, the Bluegrass Parkway connecting Bardstown to Lexington on race morning was that perfect setting.

Bill Monroe (1911-1996) was considered by many to be the 'Father of Bluegrass Music. Hailing from Kentucky, he grew up traveled around the area and eventually made a more permanent home on the stage of the 'Grand Old Opry' at the Ryman in Nashville. Monroe became a star in 1945 and stayed in the spotlight through the folk revival of the 1960's and through until his death.

Monroe's most famous song was titled 'Blue Moon of Kentucky.' This is a later version from around 1980. Monroe has the quintessential bluegrass voice that he showcases here



He also could play a faster tune as exhibited here in 'Bluegrass Breakdown'



Bluegrass still prospers down south in a places. Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and of course Kentucky still have an active appreciation for the genre.


Here's to Kentucky with the pretty horses (hope for more luck at my next race), bluegrass music, bourbon, and of course those pretty Kentucky ladies...