Owensboro Bluegrass and BBQ
Owensboro Bluegrass
As an Owensboro native, I never considered my hometown as a hub of bluegrass music. I set out to uncover this Bluegrass connection. At the foot of the Ohio River bridge, is the newly constructed Bluegrass Music Museum. I find that the museum is closed on Sunday. In fact, the entire riverfront is deserted on an early Sunday morning. The Bluegrass music echoing from overhead speakers adds comfort to the otherwise gloomy skies and empty streets.
It seems that Owensboro is laying claim to its Bluegrass roots due to the proximity of Bill Monroes’ childhood home. Bill Monroe, “The Father of Bluegrass Music”, grew up 30 miles down the road in Rosine, KY.
International Bluegrass Museum – try again
I have been wanting to drop into the International Bluegrass Museum for a couple of years but somehow it never seems to fit into the schedule. On a previous visit, the museum was closed.
It’s an early rainy morning the weekend before Christmas and the whole riverfront is deserted. Much to my surprise, the museum is open today.
Admission is a reasonable $8. I find a lone employee behind the counter and she eagerly introduces me to the museum. Sally starts a movie detailing the roots of Bluegrass Music narrated by the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe.
I do find such history interesting but I am told the movie is :40 minutes long. That’s a bit much for my short attention span. I wander around to some of the displays adjacent to the theater.
The displays give a textbook definition of Bluegrass Music as being tight throated, high-pitched, piercing and full of lonesome yearning for the good simple life. I never thought of it like that; but I’ve always appreciated the sound.
The displays are pretty static offering overhead domes for listening to the various artists and highlighting nuances of the music. Fortunately, I am the only one here. If it were busy the kiosks would be competing and playing over each other.
The Toe Tapping Begins
One display I particularly enjoy highlights bluegrass music in TV and film. Who ever gets tired of hearing “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”, from The Beverly Hillbillies, “Dueling Banjos” from Deliverance and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” from Bonnie and Clyde?
I fondly recall listening to Dad trying to pluck out Foggy Mounting breakdown and Cripple Creek when I was a child. He never quite got the hang of it, bless his heart, and he about drove us crazy trying.
I wrap up the tour back at the lobby / gift shop area. Sally enthusiastically asks about my visit. While discussing the exhibits, I spy a huge upright bass behind her. I ask if it’s available for a photo op. She does me one better and provides a little impromptu lesson / jam session. I garner a whole new appreciation for the art; she just made it look easy!
The current venue is small and cozy but big things are in store for the museum. In 2018, they get a new larger venue with much more to offer. I’ll have to work on my plucking and come back for the Thursday jam sessions. In the meantime, I’ll continue to yearn for the good simple life.
I seek to learn more about Mr. Monroe and travel to The Bill Monroe Home Place. While its posted hours state it should be open, it too is closed. The sign on the gate states to call the posted number and someone will be there for a tour within 15 minutes. My call went unanswered. I will return to learn of this connection but for now, it’s lunchtime.
Owensboro BBQ
Owensboro is famously known as the BBQ Capital of the World. Sorry, Texas, Kansas, & Memphis. We got the trademark first. We celebrate the second weekend in May every year with the International BBQ Festival. Owensboro’s BBQ specialty is Mutton. Mutton is lamb meat smoked over hickory wood. It is served in both sliced and chopped varieties usually on white bread or hamburger bun. As a sandwich, expect it to come with pickle and onion. I prefer the sliced mutton, with a vinegar-based sauce that we locals call “dip”. Burgoo, a type of lamb stew, is also a staple of the area.
Usually, my goto BBQ place is Old Hickory BBQ. But today I head to the best-known BBQ house, Moonlite BBQ. The Moonlite features a large buffet of BBQ’d mutton, pork and ribs with veggies, mac and cheese, and other southern foods. However, my favorite is the large desert bar with more regional favorites: pecan, lemon icebox, and chess pies. As well as banana and bread puddings.
The day ends on a much renovated Ohio riverfront river The gray skies have cleared and I am rewarded with a tremendous sunset.