I've given my own opinions on those questions lots of times here, BUT I've just gone downstairs and gotten Barry Willis' book.

The general consensus (if there IS one) appears to be that when Earl Scruggs added his PARTICULAR style of 3 finger pickin (as opposed to what most of the other North Carolinans were doing) to Monroe's string band....ya got BLUEGRASS.

....but only about three of the veterans actually agreed with that. (it's good enough for me though)

As long as there are some who argue that the ONLY instrumentation that's authentic is: Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, guitar and bass......and that Dobro, harmonica, and anything else are "johnny come lately" instruments, then we'll have something to discuss and argue about for years.

If ya wanna shake up some folks who THINK they know all about Bluegrass.....remind them about all the times that Monroe used ELECTRIC instruments, AFTER Scruggs was in the band. (yes he did)

Great fun isn't it?

Rick