Bill Jorgenson
Encyclopedia
Bill Jorgenson was an American bluegrass
musician. He was born in Ahnapee, Wisconsin
, and grew up in nearby Door County, Wisconsin
USA. He was primarily noted for being the Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass, a title given to him by Bill Monroe
.
Jorgenson began playing the guitar after listening to the WLS
National Barn Dance
on the radio. He switched from traditional country music
to bluegrass while in basic training
in the United States Army
. After he returned to Door County, he began performing in Milwaukee. He frequently was the headline act, but he was the opening act for Johnny Cash
and June Carter Cash
. He had his own television show. He launched the Glenmore Opera House, and started the Heritage Farm Bluegrass Festival. He regularly performed free performances at elementary schools in northeast Wisconsin
. Bill performed for 65 years. In 1998 he was inducted to America's Old-time Country Music Hall of Fame. Late in his career he began releasing his music on CDs. In 2001 he released the CDs "Amberlee", "The Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass", and "Bluegrass in the Northwoods". He died on February 5, 2007, days after suffering a massive stroke.
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
musician. He was born in Ahnapee, Wisconsin
Ahnapee, Wisconsin
Ahnapee is a town in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 977 as of the 2000 Census. The unincorporated communities of Kodan and Rankin are located in the town.-Geography:...
, and grew up in nearby Door County, Wisconsin
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 27,961. Its county seat is Sturgeon Bay. Door County is a popular vacation and tourist destination, especially for residents of Wisconsin and Illinois....
USA. He was primarily noted for being the Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass, a title given to him by Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe
William Smith Monroe was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader...
.
Jorgenson began playing the guitar after listening to the WLS
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
National Barn Dance
National Barn Dance
National Barn Dance, broadcast by WLS-AM in Chicago, Illinois starting in 1924, was one of the first American country music radio programs and a direct precursor of the Grand Ole Opry...
on the radio. He switched from traditional country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
to bluegrass while in basic training
Basic Training
Basic Training may refer to:* Basic Training, a 1971 American documentary directed by Frederick Wiseman* Basic Training , an American sex comedy* Recruit training...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. After he returned to Door County, he began performing in Milwaukee. He frequently was the headline act, but he was the opening act for Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
and June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash
Valerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
. He had his own television show. He launched the Glenmore Opera House, and started the Heritage Farm Bluegrass Festival. He regularly performed free performances at elementary schools in northeast Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Bill performed for 65 years. In 1998 he was inducted to America's Old-time Country Music Hall of Fame. Late in his career he began releasing his music on CDs. In 2001 he released the CDs "Amberlee", "The Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass", and "Bluegrass in the Northwoods". He died on February 5, 2007, days after suffering a massive stroke.