The Bean Blossom Festival, later the Bill Monroe Memorial Festival, was an early bluegrass music festival held annually in Beanblossom, Indiana. [1] The Bean Blossom festival was known for its jam sessions including well-known bluegrass musicians. [2]
The Bean Blossom Festival was founded in 1966 by Bill Monroe, who is considered by many to be the originator of the bluegrass genre. [3]
In 1973, an album of live music, titled Bean Blossom, was recorded at the festival. [2] By 1974, about 20,000 people were attending the festival each year. [4] [5]
Many well-known bluegrass musicians and bands have performed at the festival, [6] including the Dry Branch Fire Squad in 1979. [7]
By 1985, the Bean Blossom Festival was the biggest bluegrass festival in the United States. [8]
The festival hosts the induction ceremonies for Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Hall of Fame. [9]