I Hear Banjos!
Elijah Baker and Carina Baker prepare to take the stage during the music festival. The two are part of the Baker Family Band from Birch Tree, Missouri. (Photo: Joseph L. Murphy)
A series of left and right turns up the one-lane road brought me closer to my destination. I chuckled as I remembered all the films and jokes that use the banjo to signal impending danger. But here, in the heart of Kentucky, the suggestion couldn't be further from the truth.
Maybe it was luck, or maybe it was divine intervention, but after blindly taking an exit off of I-165 and driving east, I found myself right where I needed to be. Entering Rosine, an unsuspecting city now known as the cradle of Bluegrass, was like stepping back in time. Continuing east out of Rosine I spotted an old-fashioned sign, hand-painted with care, making it clear where I had landed - The Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival. Here I was, unintentionally finding myself at the epicenter of the music my dad raised me on and I had come to love.
"I'm a farmer with a mandolin and a high tenor voice." -Bill Monroe
The sign directed me towards the home and historic site of Bill Monroe, the 'Father of Bluegrass'. I found myself driving towards a place I had only read about - the childhood home of a man whose musical legacy continues to influence musicians and music lovers today.
Could this be real? Would I be lucky enough to attend a bluegrass festival on the hallowed grounds where Monroe first strummed his mandolin? All signs pointed toward yes, and I couldn't help but feel incredibly fortunate.
It was the experience of a lifetime, standing at the exact location where many believe modern Bluegrass took root. Here, amidst the rolling hills of Kentucky; the very air seemed to vibrate with the soulful notes of the banjo. Here, in Rosine, I was not just a spectator but a part of the continuing narrative that is Bluegrass. These were the sounds that had shaped a genre, cultivated a community, and birthed a festival that was now a beacon for Bluegrass enthusiasts worldwide.
Meet Bill Monroe
Monroe, the musician from Rosine, Kentucky, stamped his mark on the music world. He borrowed from the diverse musical traditions of his surroundings, ultimately creating a unique genre — Bluegrass. This distinct style combines fiddling, blues, and gospel, underscored by Monroe's complex mandolin playing.
"Bluegrass has brought more people together and made more friends than any music in the world. You meet people at festivals and renew acquaintances year after year." - Bill Monroe
This modified form of country music would influence several contemporary styles, from folk to rock and roll, becoming a cornerstone of American music heritage. And much of this influence can be traced back to Monroe.
"You couldn't keep from liking it," Joe Marshall, a country music performer, said in an interview. "It's still country music but it's a different style. It has a different beat to it and you have to learn the rhythm."
In our contemporary music scene, artists such as Sturgill Simpson, Billy Strings, Ricky Skaggs, and Alison Krauss have grabbed the baton, uniquely adding to the tradition. With each strum of their banjos, fiddles and mandolins, they stitch a new patch on the well-traveled musical suitcase that encapsulates the heartbeat of Bluegrass music.
What is the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival?
The Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival is an annual event situated in Ohio County, Kentucky. Located at the natural amphitheater of Jerusalem Ridge, it's a captivating homage to the roots of bluegrass music every September. The Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival isn't just about the music; it's about bringing together a community united by their admiration for this music style. From seasoned musicians to budding talent, the participants bring Bill Monroe's legacy to life. The music carries a nostalgic echo, with a deep respect for the roots and enthusiasm for the future of Bluegrass.
If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend the Country Music by Ken Burns documentary. It discusses the birth of Country music and Bluegrass music and documents the impacts it has had on our society.
For more than two decades, Joseph L. Murphy has had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life through photography. He has photographed presidents and heads of state, traversed the winding alleyways of the Fes Medina in Morocco, photographed the sprawling countryside and people that make up Argentina and covered events that have defined the U.S. Most recently, Murphy’s travels have taken him to Cambodia, Mexico, China, Vietnam and Ecuador.
He has spent the past 20 years specializing in agriculture photography for multiple organizations, publications and marketing projects.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Murphy determined at an early age that his love of photography would shape his vision for life.