Concerts & Events

Saturday, August 8, 2009 | 8:00pm

Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall :: 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Tribute to Bill Monroe and the Carter Family

With Chris Walz, Long Journey Home, Rita Ruby, Sunnyside Up, Wazo County Warblers, Kent Rose, Wabolabr, Steve Dawson & Diane Christiansen and the Hard Times Bluegrass Band

$15 General Public/$13 Old Town School Members/$11 Seniors & Children

On sale to Old Town School members May 27th, to general public May 29th

BUY TICKETS ONLINE | BOX OFFICE: 773.728.6000

Join the faculty and friends of the Old Town School as we pay tribute to the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe, and the legendary first family of old-time country, the Carter Family.

In 1939, after having ended the duet act with his brother Charlie, Bill Monroe put together his band The Bluegrass Boys and auditioned for the Grand Old Opry. The Opry told Bill, "You start this Saturday and if you ever leave here, you'll have to fire yourself." Bill Monroe would stay with The Opry for nearly 57 years.

At the same time, The Carter Family, A.P., Sarah and Maybelle Carter, were already nationally known having sold 300,000 records by 1930. In 1939 they could be heard across the U.S. broadcasting from XET, a 500,000 watt radio station on the Texas-Mexico border. They were at the height of their popularity, yet in two years the original Carter Family would disband.

Now, 70 years later, the Old Town School of Folk Music pays tribute to these architects of Country Music and Bluegrass.

Bill Monroe on the web
Carter Family on the web