Notes & Queries – May 2026

In 1976, the Japanese division of Sony Music released two monumental 10-album collections that proved to be bonanzas for collectors of classic bluegrass and country music. These collections, titled Bluegrass Jamboree and New Greatest Hits, were groundbreaking in their scope, quality, and cultural significance. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their release, it’s worth reflecting on the unique role Japan played in preserving and promoting this quintessentially American genre.  A Landmark Release in Bluegrass History The Bluegrass Jamboree collection was a treasure trove for bluegrass enthusiasts, featuring two albums each by legendary artists Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys, and four albums by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys. These albums were released at a time when releases of classic bluegrass music were scarce in both Japan and the United States, f