William Smith Monroe was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass". The genre takes its name from his band, the Blue Grass Boys, who named their group for the bluegrass of Monroe's home state of Kentucky.

KNOWN FOR

The Johnny Cash Show
1970
50 Years of Country Music
1978
Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music
2019
Opry Video Classics: Pioneers
2007
Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music
1993
High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music
1992
Newport and the Great Folk Dream
2025
Yesteryear in Nashville
1982
Scruggs: A Festival of Music
1972
The Porchlight Sessions
2017

FILMOGRAPHY

All
Movies
TV
Acting
10
2025
Newport and the Great Folk Dream
as Self (archive footage)
2019
Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music
as Self (archive footage)
2017
The Porchlight Sessions
as Self
2007
Opry Video Classics: Pioneers
as Self (archive footage)
1993
Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music
as Self
1992
High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music
as Self
1982
Yesteryear in Nashville
as Self
1978
50 Years of Country Music
as Self
1972
Scruggs: A Festival of Music
as Self
1970
The Johnny Cash Show
as Self