Own a Piece of the Bill Monroe Estate

The estate of the Father of Bluegrass will be liquidated in Gallatin, TN beginning on Thursday (7-28), giving Bill Monroe fans a chance to own one of the 1,000-plus items from the country and bluegrass legend, including musical instruments and equipment, furniture, clothing, stage suits, jewelry, and other interesting items like a Civil War rifle, and autographed photos from Johnny Cash, Jimmy Martin, Bobby Bare, and Marilyn Monroe (no blood relation).

A member of both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, Bill Monroe died September 9th, 1996 at the age of 84. At the time of his death, an estate sale was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame involving hundreds of items. But according to Juli Thanki of The Tennessean, Monroe’s son and grandson, who held many items out of the initial sale, decided it was time to downsize.

The sale is being conducted by Bernice Denton Estate Sales from Thursday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day at at 1572 Long Hollow Pike in Gallatin, just north and east of Nashville. The sale will also include items from Bill’s son and musician James Monroe. Even if you can’t be in middle Tennessee over the weekend, folks can peruse photos and information at bernicedenton.com, and make bids on items by calling (615) 292-5765.

One thing you won’t find in the estate sale is Bill Monroe’s legendary Gibson F-5 mandolin. It will forever be kept in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “Precious Jewel” collection of some of the most important instruments to the history of country music. But other mandolins and musical instruments, stage-worn Western attire, or just trinkets that still hold a tie to the legacy can be yours.