No, You Back Up
Bill Monroe was not only known for his music but also for his one-line words of wisdom. “It ain’t no part of nothin’,” “Pie please,” and “You can’t hurt ham,” just to name a few.
Another of Bill’s quotes was, “No, you back up.” Over the years, stories have been told about the origin of this quote and how it came about. David Grisman refers to it on the 1999 Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza recording and actually titled an instrumental based on the event. The short version of the origin of the line has been widely circulated but the details of the event are more complex. I have told the story many times myself, but I was there that night with a lot of other folks when the words were spoken by The Father of Bluegrass. The date was December 5, 1980.
I was then a member of The Whetstone Run Bluegrass Band. We had been booked by music producer Geoff Byrne to perform at The Lincoln Center in New York City as part of a bluegrass package show. Besides Whetstone Run the other acts were Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals, The Lewis Family, Berline Crary and Hickman and, of course, Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys.
About one hour before the doors were to open to admit the audience, the bands were asked to report to the stage in full band dress for a group picture. The photographer was a young lady who was very professional, and it was apparent this was not her first-time taking pictures.
Trying to get 27 people and 14 instruments all situated in a group and placing them so they can all be seen is a chore. The photographer, always very pleasant and polite, focused and manipulated our positions trying to get the very best picture she could. This, of course, was time consuming to say the least. Bill was in the very middle of the group with people all around him. For some reason only she knew, she asked Bill if he would back up just a bit. The reply from Bill was a vintage Monroe response, quick and to the point in a strong, clear, and even-tone he said “No, you back up.”
Everyone on stage, including the photographer, got a chuckle out of it. The picture was finally taken, with Bill in his original position of course, and we were dismissed and went on our way and prepared for the show.
Let me be clear, Bill was not rude, or mean, or condescending. I just think the man had no way to comply with the request being in the middle of 26 people. Besides that, he had been there all day for sound checks and other preparations, he was a long way from Kentucky and maybe he was tired, I do not know. But no one got mad, no harsh words were spoken and as far as I know, no one’s feelings got hurt.
It is now a part of the history, the legend, and mystic of the Father of Bluegrass. So, the next time someone tells the short version of the story, you can now add the details.
