No question, what eventually became known as the bluegrass sound was defined by the Blue Grass Boys of late 1945. Still, how would things have turned out if Don Reno, Monroe's first choice, had not been drafted but instead became the band's banjo player. Without Bill, would Earl have worked it all out on his own? Would Don's playing have captured the nation's attention in the same way that Earl's did?

And surely we don't want to diminish the role of Chubby Wise in the band. He was as much an innovator on the fiddle as either Bill or Earl on their instruments. It sure wouldn't have been "bluegrass" with Brother Birch on the fiddle.

Questions to ponder.

      - Mark