Downtown in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Birth of Bluegrass

Photographed By Kathy Walker, October 20, 2009

1. Birth of Bluegrass Marker

Inscription. In December 1945, Grand Ole Opry star Bill Monroe and his mandolin brought to the Ryman Auditorium stage a band that created a new American musical form. With the banjo style of Earl Scruggs and the guitar of Lester Flatt, the new musical genre became known at "Bluegrass." Augmented by the fiddle of Chubby Wise and the bass of Howard Watts (also known as Cedric Rainwater), this ensemble became known as "The Original Bluegrass Band," which became the prototype for groups that followed.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 209.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1945.

Location. 36° 9.679′ N, 86° 46.731′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on 5th Ave N, 0.2 miles north of Broadway. Located at the Ryman Auditorium. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nashville TN 37219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ryman Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); Little Jimmy Dickens (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Ryman Auditorium (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Green Ryman (about 300 feet away); John Robert Lewis (about 400 feet away); Pekka Rinne

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(about 400 feet away); William Walker (about 500 feet away); Battle of the Bluffs (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, October 20, 2009

2. Birth of Bluegrass Marker

Next to the Ryman Auditorium

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, October 20, 2009

3. National Register of Historic Places

This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Bill Monroe Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 22, 2018

4. Bill Monroe Statue

Bill Monroe Statue now stands next to the Birth of Bluegrass Marker.

Bill Monroe Statue and Birth of Bluegrass Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Denise Boose, May 22, 2018

5. Bill Monroe Statue and Birth of Bluegrass Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,151 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on May 26, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.