On the Bus with Bill Monroe: My Five-Year Ride with the Father of Blue Grass (Music in American Life)

Excellent history

Hembree beckons you in at the foreword to this memoir, commenting about perspective and the puzzle of looking back. It's tuning-up patter before inviting you to lean forward and peer through the lens he's been focusing all the while. Then you step through, and you're on the bus, riding along unnoticed in the best seat beside a witty guide. As a Blue Grass Boy, Hembree's life was one of movement, serious long hauls zigzagging around the country, dipping back to Nashville to play the Grand Ole Opry. It's a country dance with southern dialect, shifting scenes, and partners, the author passing and stepping out with people you've seen only as spotlit performers on a far-off stage, or names on an album. Anchoring it all is Bill Monroe, every bit the giant talent you've heard, driving himself as hard as his band, aloof, formidable, and subtle. The writing is deft, the observations keen and unsparing. You see, hear, and smell it all: Monroe looming over the mic, mandolin and fiddle weaving that sound, diesel and cigarette smoke and cheap food lingering to the last page. This book makes you appreciate how hard musicians work, as much in thrall to their talent as the audiences they captivate.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The personal stories told by the author are frank, filled with humor, and maybe even a slight tinge of bitterness, given what he had to endure. I don't blame him one bit. I am about the same age as the author and have been to many of the places that are mentioned in the book, so I can relate to the stories. But its good to see that in the end he could laugh through it all as he relived his sometimes not so pleasant experiences.

Disclosure: I met Mark Hembree on an editorial staff in the late ‘80s. At that time I learned he had played with Bill Monroe and was an engaging storyteller with a love of language. Accordingly, this account of his decidedly unglamorous touring days pulls you in and propels you along like a masterful mandolin solo. Told with honesty, humor, and heart, “On the Bus” is a coming-of-age tale, a clash-of-cultures story, and an insightful and affectionate tribute to an often-exasperating man and his music. Don’t miss it!

A well-written look into the life and times touring as a member of Bill Monroe’s storied Blue Grass Boys, Mark Hembree’s book takes us behind the scenes for moments both legendary and unknown to the greater public. His colorful descriptions of characters, events, and situations with which I (as a professional involved in the bluegrass scene) am familiar are dead on. His chapters are diary style, encompassing journal notes and “recollected memories.” With a true storyteller’s expertise, Hembree captures the five years he traveled with the Father of Bluegrass in a light-hearted, sometimes brutally honest manner. Standout passages for me included those recalling Monroe’s cancer and “Master of Bluegrass” recording session, along with his nailing the personalities of fellow Blue Grass Boys. -- Stephanie P. Ledgin, author, Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass

The new 210-page book by former Monroe bassman, Mark Hembree "On The Bus With Bill Monroe" is a good read about life on the road with The Father of Blue Grass during a busy time from 1979 to 1984. Wayne Lewis was the guitarist during this time, and Kenny Baker was the fiddler. Butch Robins was the banjoist until 1981 and then Blake Williams came in. The book contains lots of information about Baker on the road with the band. Details about studio recordings including the infamous live Cave recordings. There are 12 pages of never seen before photos of the band. A must have for the die-hard Monroe fans. (Tom Isenhour)

All Mr. Hembree does is whine about his terrible experience. Some of that might be okay, but chapter after chapter of criticism and whining gets old after while. I’m sorry he had such a terrible experience playing with the Father of Bluegrass. I actually wish he hadn’t had the opportunity after reading this book. I don’t believe he deserved it.You will learn some things about bluegrass bands on the road, so I gave it two stars, but what you learn may not be worth the pain of reading it.

Hembree was a young local musician and was hired by the man who Gerry Garcia called one of the two greatest musicians America has produced. He was from a northern border state and was hired by a southerner, to play southern music mostly in the south but also all over the world. He constantly demeans the south and the man that gave him the opportunity to play the White House. The author was given great opportunities both in music and life experience and even years later can only look at it thru one filter and not appreciate what he had. To me, this book was biased and not accurate.

Sadly this book gave promise but not delivered. A great opportunity lost. I learnt practically nothing new about Bill Monroe personally, or his.music, or even a sense of what it is like on the road. It reads very shallow with no depth. practically nothing is learnt about the other Blue Grass Boys or the many other performers they encountered. Hardly any mention of fans and their connexion with the music. At the end of the book I was left thinking, Why did I spend time reason this? A few anecdotal comments do not make for a good read. I can't imagine the book selling much, so clearly it was not written to cash in on Bill Monroe's name - so why was it written? Don't bother buying it.