Good point Peter. Monroe had that "bearer of the flame" thing thrust on him, and for many years he was openly hostile to all who idolized him.(he thought they were trying to steal his songs, licks, and gigs) Even a casual look at his career will show that he respected "his" tradition. One in which he made the rules.
I've often seen folks surprised to find (after reading all the sucky prose about Monroe's "purity") that he used electric guitars, accordion, full country bands (with drums)and did covers of country #1 hits. My feeling was that he saw himself as a professional country musician who'd reached a measure of success by the late thirties and fought like hell to maintain it for many years. The benevolent (and even tolerant patriarchal) persona that emerged when Bill was in his sixties was never a comfortable fit for him.
He was an absolute giant.
Rick