More Encounters with Bill Monroe

‘I know him, but he don’t know me’ Bill Monroe was properly regarded as the very model of a traditional American musician. However, he could also be full of surprises, whether poking fun or providing unexpected revelations about life and music.  Part One of this coverage included my experiences seeing, hearing and talking to Monroe from 1971 to 1987. This concluding piece deals with a busy period of his career, as well as his death and funeral in 1996.  It was great, being able to visit in person with the founder of bluegrass music, and even to run into him when out and about in my role as a music writer for Nashville’s daily newspaper, the Tennessean.   In April 1988, I had arranged to meet a friend of Grandpa Jones for breakfast at the Dickerson Road restaurant at Mason’s Motel, a favorite gathering spot for Monroe and others.  Monroe was there working the room when we hailed him.  “Mr. Monroe, do you know Thomas Goldsmith of the Tennessea