Blue Moon of Kentucky

July 9, 2012

Another lagniappe stop – Owensboro, KY – on our Ohio River cruise.  Owensboro is the home of bluegrass music.  Our tour this morning took us to the Botanical Gardens, which after a little rain, yesterday, had perked up a bit.  There was a visit to the Museum of Fine Art, where there was a stained glass exhibit, as well as many works of American, European and Asian art displayed. 

Bluegrass is the official State Music of Kentucky, and Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky shares with Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” the honorable distinction of being the office Kentucky State Songs.

Owensboro is the home of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, with was the third stop on our tour.  This museum was established to preserve the global history of bluegrass music.    The home of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass, is located about 30 minutes away from Owensboro in Rosine, Kentucky.  We saw a new exhibit on his life and influence on bluegrass music.  It was interesting see so many posters and information from the Grand Ole Opry and from Nashville, our hometown.  There is even a Bluegrass Hall of Fame, similar to our Country Music Hall of Fame at the museum.  Some of the more notable names, beside Bill Monroe, include Flatt & Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, and so many others.

Our friends, Linda and Jim Tidwell are with us.  Because today was an unscheduled stop, we were unable to have guides with us.  So, Jim decided to be our guide.  Jim has done this in the past, and has led us through the “ancient road to Rome” with his fractured Bible stories.  Well, he did it again today, and told tales of Owensboro that, of course, no one had ever heard, especially the folks from this fair city. 

We returned to the boat for the Jazz Brunch and were entertained with a patriotic show this afternoon from the Wulff Brothers.  Now, it’s time for relaxing and just sitting on the Front Porch of America while the scenery leisurely passes us by as we travel to Brandenburg, Fort Knox and the George Patton World War II Museum tomorrow.