Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass

Subject: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass music called Bluegrass
From: GUEST,Fullerton
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 04:14 PM

Why is Bluegrass music called Bluegrass?

Thanks

Fullerton

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 04:23 PM

From Kentucky Bluegrass, I think- a hybrid grass one finds throughout the American south.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 04:30 PM

Lots of definitions but why?
Probably from Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys, but not sure.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Midchuck
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 04:35 PM

Q is right, of course.

Bluegrass started out as the particular sound of Bill Monroe's band. They had a number of imitators, which first got Mr. Monroe very angry. Later on, he was very pleased to be called the "Father of Bluegrass Music. But it took a while.

The genre came into existence in 1946, but it wasn't commonly recognized as a musical form in its own right, and given a name, until about the early '60s.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 01:10 AM

I thought the music was called that because the band came from the Bluegrass State of Kentucky.
But why did Kentucky call itself The Bluegrass State if the grass grows throughout the south?
Robyn

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 04:10 AM

One story relates that when Bill Monroe got his first (or first major) radio play, his band didn't have a name. The D.J. made them the "Bluegrass Boys" probably because some or all of them were from Kentucky. The name just stuck to them, and eventually to the music.

That story is in one of the "History of Bluegrass" kind of books, but I don't hae it handy and don't remember which one to look for at the moment.

Almost anything with a remote connection to Kentucky eventually get's a "bluegrass" stuck to it, since the state itself is known that way.

There have been some other threads on the subject, with more detailed and more varied explanations.

John

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Mo Bradshaw
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 05:00 AM

The book you are probably thinking of is Bluegrass:A History, by Neil V. Rosenburg.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: GUEST,Fullerton
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 05:01 AM

Thanks to everyone who has responded to this question

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: GUEST,paddymac
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 09:58 AM

bluegrass, Plants

Related Category: Plants
Found this on askjeeves. If memory serves, it is one of the "timothy" grasses and came here from England.
___

bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species. One of the best known and most important is the sod-forming Kentucky bluegrass, or June grass (P. pratensis), believed to have been introduced from the Old World and now widely naturalized in the United States; Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass State because this species is so prevalent there. Others are rough bluegrass (P. trivialis), used for shady lawns; Sandberg bluegrass (P. secunda), the most common native species; and big bluegrass (P. ampla), an important range grass. Bluegrass is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Cyperales, family Gramineae.

The Columbia encyclopedia

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: RangerSteve
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 10:03 AM

Duke Ellington fed his cow some bluegrass and she mood indigo.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: GUEST,Azizi
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 12:18 PM

I'll give you mad props for that one, RangerSteve!

translated: "Congratulations! That was a good one!"

But I was slow on the uptake. I had to read it two times to 'get it'.
Then I had to chuckle.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Amos
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 12:26 PM

That was funny, R>S>!~!!


A

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Genie
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 01:37 PM

Great pun, Ranger Steve -- or should I say baad pun! LOL

"Little Robyn
...
But why did Kentucky call itself The Bluegrass State if the grass grows throughout the south? "

Hey, why does Florida call itself the Sunshine State, Oregon call itself the Beaver State, and Utah call itself the beehive state? ;)

Genie

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 02:36 PM

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW:

THE NICKNAMES:

The Beaver State:

Oregon is called "The Beaver State" because of the association of beavers with the early history of the state and because of the admirable qualities of intelligence, industry, and ingenuity that are associated with this animal. The Beaver is the official State Animal and on the Oregon State Flag.

The Sunset State:

Oregon was called "The Sunset State" because of its far west location. At the time Oregon joined the Union, in 1859, it was the most westerly of all the states. This position was lost when Washington joined the Union in 1889 and again when Alaska joined in 1949.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Alice
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:02 AM

Someone asked me once why Montana is called the Big Sky state when the sky is everywhere. You'd have to see it to see why the sky seems so expansive here.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Alice
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:16 AM

Kentucky is famous for the race horses raised on bluegrass, like the famous race horse raising area in Ireland, the curragh of Kildare. I've read that the minerals in the pastures and hayland of Kentucky Bluegrass in central Kentucky is important to the formation of strong bones in the horses. Here is a bit about it from the USGS (US Geological survey) web site:
"Fertility of the residual soils in the Inner Bluegrass region is enhanced by the presence of phosphate in the Lexington Limestone. This area is the locale of the horse-farm industry of central Kentucky."

Because raising race horses is important to the economy of Kentucky and is one of the things Kentucky is famous for, Bluegrass is associated with Kentucky more than the other states where it grows.

Alice

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 02:36 PM

Florida stole "Sunshine State" from New Mexico, where the nickname has a much longer (and official) history.

The bluegrass, Poa, as noted above, is widespread. It is part of the lawn mixtures used here in Alberta, with its bone-chilling winters. Alice makes an important point- the mineral nutrients in the soil contribute much to the nutritional value of bluegrass, as they do to any crop grown naturally.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: annamill
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 02:43 PM

Why is New Jersey called "The Garden State" and what is California called?

Love, Annamill

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 02:53 PM

"Utah call itself the beehive state? ;)"


The beehive was the symbol for the Mormon colony (Church of LDS) that settled there. Can't recall the name, offhand. I am sure someone will fill it in...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: paddymac
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 03:00 PM

New Jersey has some incerdiblly productive agricultural lands, which were a major element of the economy prior to industialization.

California is , at least among many non-Californians, affectionately refereed to as "The Granola State" because it is thought to be blessed with an abundance of fruits, nuts and flakes. (Ducking and running for cover)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Mark Clark
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 03:34 PM

I suppose many will think this point is too pedantic but Kentucky is not the bluegrass state, it is the Blue Grass state. I think it adopted that slogan because of the many beautifully manicured blue grass pastures and white fences one sees passing through Kentucky's thoroughbred country. Monroe's second band after the Monroe Brothers separated was called Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys after his native state of Kentucky.

The term bluegrass as the name of Monroe's signature sound and the idiom he started was not coined by Monroe but by other music industry writers some years after Monroe's music had become popular. Monroe new that his music was original and unique but regarded it as his personal flavor of commercial country music.

Bill's early music with the Blue Grass Boys is not actually considered by scholars as bluegrass music. The first recording considered by scholars to be true bluegrass was recorded in September of 1946. Band members included Chubby Wise, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and Cedric Rainwater (Howard Watts).

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 03:38 PM

Beehive State" The beehive became the official state emblem on March 4, 1959. Utahans relate the beehive symbol to industry and the pioneer virtues of thrift and perseverance. The beehive was chosen as the emblem for the provisional State of Deseret in 1848 and was maintained on the seal of the State of Utah when Utah became a state in 1896.
source: http://www.state.ut.us/about/motto_emblem.html

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: Little Robyn
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 03:39 PM

I knew that - I'd just forgotten all the names and dates.
Robyn - with Old Timer's disease

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 03:40 PM

Kentucky
Bluegrass is not really blue--it's green--but in the spring, bluegrass produces bluish-purple buds that when seen in large fields give a rich blue cast to the grass. Early pioneers found bluegrass growing on Kentucky's rich limestone soil, and traders began asking for the seed of the "blue grass from Kentucky." The name stuck and today Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State".
source: http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/gov/symbols.htm




California
"The Golden State" has long been a popular designation for California and was made the official State Nickname in 1968. It is particularly appropriate since California's modern development can be traced back to the discovery of gold in 1848 and fields of golden poppies can be seen each spring throughout the state. The Golden State Museum is also the name of a new museum slated to open in late 1998 at the California State Archives in Sacramento. The museum's exhibits will bring to life the momentous events of California's history through a series of innovative, interpretive exhibits.
source: http://www.library.ca.gov/history/cahinsig.html

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: kendall
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 05:38 PM

Officially, Maine is called the Vacation State, but we natives call it the TAXation state.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Why is Bluegrass called Bluegrass
From: DannyC
Date: 04 Jul 05 - 12:10 AM

Alice:

They say that the inner Bluegrass region of Kentucky is supported by a dome of that porous limestone that you mention. It is said that the minerals leach into the bluegrass and makes the weanlings' bones stronger.

I have read that there are s few other places in the world where this type of limestone forms a similar dome near the surface of the earth. One of those regions is the Curragh of Kildare.

Life is slow here, so we set around and actually chat about this stuff with each other between Derbys. (My apologies to any geologists for my "they says" and "I have reads".)

Anyway, where was I -

Oh, the winter it is past
and the summer's come at last...