The Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt Interview

OK, I've had a lot of requests to re-post this classic interview with two of the founding fathers of Bluegrass--Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt.
Yeah, there are a few sparks that fly between these iconic figures, but some important insights come to the surface too....
It's a must-listen for Bluegrass fans, and for fans of music in general...
One of my all-time favorite interviews!!

[@RRW276]

This was funnier than hell! A great spoof and the guys portraying Lester and Bill are great.

[@JDawg-FR]

they straight roasted each other. The "knock the shit out of you" from Lester at the end really tied it together!

[@secondcousincurly]

So good it's spooky at times. Many thanks!

[@KWEPR]

Yes, this is a spoof. The DJ is actually Jimmy Capps of Grand Ole Opry Fame. Bill Monroe is being portrayed by Glen Duncan and Lester Flatt is being portrayed by Charlie Vaughn.

[@dgrossiter8610]

I thought Lester was Keith Whitley.

[@redlinemando]

Keith was the best, but this is as close to Keith doing Lester as you'll ever hear. I also never knew "sheriff" Capps was involved in this interview.

[@redlinemando]

Jerry Butler, a bluegrass singer & musician from Knoxville, also does a great impersonation of Lester.

[@mandoist]

@@redlinemando Actually, bass player Marshall Wilborn is every bit as close to Lester as Keith.

[@redlinemando]

@@mandoist Wow, I never knew that. I'd love to hear him do it sometime!!!!!!! Marshall & Lynn seem to be two of the most humble & down to earth ppl you'd ever want to meet!!!!!!!

[@danielmorris3687]

Hilarious!! I loved when "Lester" said he was getting a FlyingVee and that Earl Scruggs would be playing the electric banjer! Just trying to mentally picture that got me laughing out loud

[@mariankerin7934]

This is beautiful! From a dedicated bluegrass fan.

[@Ridger1978]

That is so spot on, it is scary! What a great job!

[@TheJrddxw]

This is Epic! ❤❤❤ I love listening to the old timers I want to talk like that soon😂

[@davepaquette1160]

This is GOLD!

[@guitarman4899]

Love it!

[@deanpitman3325]

This was all tongue-in-cheek. Bill and Lester were having fun with the DJs.

[@joshuahymer15]

Dean Pitman your brain in cheek if you think this is actually Bill and Lester.

[@BlackKaweah]

Love to see Lester Flatt playing a Flying V!

[@mrgroovestring]

I would give this video and radio program 10 stars in a heartbeat. 💫

[@allengraves2932]

This is absolutely hilarious. I could listen to it ten times and laugh every time. Sounds exactly like Lester and Bill. Exactly. Was this impromptu or were they reading from a script? Amazingly authentic. Thanks for making it available!

[@bsinbreed]

That's awesome, they sound just like them and got the history down to

[@barry1705]

Great impressions of the legendary Bluegrass tenor’s.

[@brasspick]

9:03 the Banjo player on the Left, between Bill and Lester is Jack Hicks-Bill's Banjo player, and the Banjo player to the Right of Lester is Haskel McCormick, Lester's Banjo player.

[@treelifeUK]

brilliant!

[@tonewoods]

Thanks for that...

[@tonewoods]

"Is the second DJ Ronnie McCoury?" Yep!

[@Global_Unity]

This is some of the best entertainment I've seen in any genre, but my goodness is it niche :D

[@joshuahymer15]

“He was tearin our show plum down he wasn’t with us but 27 years”

[@pjteleman]

I loved that!!! Hilarious!!!!!

[@BlueGrassPeteF]

Charlie even BREATHES like Lester! :-)

[@redlinemando]

I used to have a copy of this a long time ago. LOL I used to listen to this & die laughing. Quick comment: (Justin Chambers) Poor word choice & that should be an obvious big DUH!!!! I'll bet you don't even have a chimley either. I love that "chimley" line as well Bill Cross. Thank you tonewoods for this post!!!! I wonder if you have heard the Melvin Goins stuff that was recorded on Del's bus? I used to have it as well. It was rumored that Bub almost lost his job over that. A big "thanks" also to Ronnie (& others I won't fully name for obvious reasons) for being part of this recording. Don't know if it was his idea or what, but it has definitely entertained a lot of BG musicians along the way. We used to listen to it when I worked with ole "Gallagher" Blaylock. He did a great Doyle & Darrel impersonation/interview late one night on the road. It was hilarious!!!!!!! I really miss those days on the road & the vocal quality in that band, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the person I have become today!!!!!!! I was such an idiot back in those days, but through the grace of God, I have learned some things along the way. Anyway, a very entertaining video & you get a sub for it!!!!!!!

[@elliotportner8020]

The interview is more than historic its life recorded in life issues. God has blessed us with this piece

[@tonydaniels7576]

It’s just great entertainment, especially if you love bluegrass!

[@jcook7148]

He wasn't with us but 27 years, lmao.

[@redlinemando]

I love that line as well.

[@billcross9508]

Why he don't even believe in Christmas...he don't even have a chimley....

[@jcook7148]

+Bill Cross Chimley, that's the way I was taught to pronounce it being from southern Kentucky. It wasn't until I moved to Kansas in 1970 at the age of nine that I was corrected. My accent caused me to learn to fight back in those days and I became very good at it. I grew up listening to these fellows as my grandfather was a huge fan and I still listen every day. I wish he was still here to listen to this with me because he was quite a character himself. He'd get a kick out of this.

[@billcross9508]

+J Cook I was taught chimley, the kitchen zinc (instead of sink) warsh (instead of wash), oirl (instead of oil)

[@jcook7148]

+Bill Cross I'll add ascarred, (as in afraid), to these. I'm in no way embarrassed by any of the things I was taught a youngster, those were the happiest days of my life. Neither of my grandparents graduated high school but they were the both so smart and so knowledgeable in life. They are the reason I'm who I am. I miss them both terribly every day.

[@stevendamron1967]

I love Bill Monroe. He is the Father of Bluegrass. Kentucky Bluegrass. My kin is from Pikeville Kentucky. Proud to be a Kentucky boy.

[@INDYOSKARS]

@@billcross9508 Arter: after.

[@glendajustice4104]

Bill had nothing to say back when they ask that Flatt had more record sells than Bill. Lester just easily said , well people know good music when they hear it. Made my day. I laughed!! You go Flatt. Right heres ur #1 fan PERIOD. Hun u wont get any argument out of me on how great and good u are and i wont hear Bill either cos i will cut his water off quick. Folks can u tell im a Lester Flatt girl??? Flatt over Bill any day. Flatt over all the world of bluegrass. I love a bunch of them, Stanleys, Jimmy Martin , many more but NONE as good as LESTER FLATT.

[@ojnabsekil6531]

I totally agree 👍

[@lordofthemound3890]

Missed an obvious joke here: supposedly, when asked if Jimmy Martin had a hand in “Christmas Time’s A-Comin’,” Bill actually said “Jimmy Martin? Jimmy Martin don’t even BELIEVE in Santa Claus!” Or so that’s the way Ricky Skaggs tells it.

[@partycat2921]

6:35 He mentions Garth Brooks, who didn't hit the scene until 1985, long after Flatt was dead.

[@glendajustice4104]

Was just joking tho thru all of it.

[@donclark8673]

Goodness gracious it's too funny

[@tonewoods]

Really?? I had no-ooo idea....

[@mariankerin7934]

They are all up there together in Heaven.

[@solchasemusic]

Does anyone know the date this was aired? Thanks!

[@redlinemando]

They mentioned that Bill was 81 in the interview, I think.......so Bill would have been 81 in.........1992. He was born in 1911. "You figure it up." lol (joking) That line cracks me up!!!!!!!

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

I swear I would bet that Glen Duncan is doing Bill. I’ve heard Glen do it and if this isn’t him it has missed a good chance.

[@TBrewer64]

What year was this?

[@maryplaidy6814]

Sounds like Lester Roadhog Moran.

[@TheMmellen]

Is the second DJ Ronnie McCoury?

[@79dakster]

this has to be bogus, but it is very funny

[@rogerherbison4124]

Witch hand do you cut off?? Uncle Pen on one side and Mr. Flatt on the other. I think Flatt & Scruggs was a super band with Mr. Monroe will always be Father of Bluegrass! Its easy to see why sparks would fly when they got together! Looks like now there were both stepping on time bomb when they talk to each other! They both thought they were the best in the world..."the best musician" and they were but it was like watching two chickens plucking corn off the barnyard floor fighting over the last piece! Then..then when you throw in Earl Scruggs that they both lost! So thankful we had all three! There's a movie here or book? I would call it " Three Pickers but Know Grinnin" or "Three Godfathers of Bluegrass" or " That's My Corn.. Dam it"! Thank you Lord for all three!

[@tonewoods]

....you *do* realize this is parody, right??

[@glendajustice4104]

Now it's Lester Flatt anytime for me. Bills voice was just too much tenor. Yes i like tenor but too much. Not just that but rating them in every way im with LESTER. Thxs u did ask.......

[@glendajustice4104]

You must really be a country boy

[@KeithWhitley-fe2ic]

​@@tonewoods Nashville Now, 1989, Show #92055 w/ Keith Whitley, Florence Henderson & The Thrasher Brothers [video recording] ... Lester Flatt / (14:10)

[@josephanderson7237]

Hilarious!!!

[@waynerjson]

This ain't Bill and Lester.

[@kentuckymandolin]

Duh!

[@redlinemando]

lol

[@josephscott6388]

kentuckymandolin the deuce you say!

[@paulbcote]

Hah! Fooled me!

[@josephcapps4857]

You got me with this one up till he mentioned Garth Brooks. They sure sound like them! Well done!

[@berniceatkins4500]

Not really Monroe and Flatt, someone impersonating them.

[@glendajustice4104]

Yes and they did a great job.

[@dustinjohnson3463]

Bill monroe wouldn't disrespectful Jimmy Martin like that Jimmy would had smacked his mouth

[@robertfarris9679]

Sounds two part.lol

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

this is of course not real...

[@glendajustice4104]

Right but they was on a role and was so funny.

[@AppalachianHarmony]

This is hilarious. Who came up with this scam?

[@writerrad]

This is not real but a joke by peoplewho knew these men making fun of Bill and Lester

[@seanmartinman7946]

Just found this and it sure aint Lester and Bill, could be McCoury.

[@davidcroy6016]

funny

[@davidfraley8770]

NOT bill and lester

[@redlinemando]

Uh.......YOU THINK!!!!! But about as close as it gets to sounding like them.

[@briscoedarling3237]

That is definitely Bill and Lester. I saw them perform at the Bugtussle County Fair in 19 & 28 just before the Depression. That’s them alright….

[@joshuahymer15]

This comment section is full of people who have to be under the age of 10.

[@glendajustice4104]

Whoops but ur on here too. Whats ur age dear. I love u and im picking. I just loved Lester Flatt.

[@joshuahymer15]

Glenda Justice I’m 147.

[@redlinemando]

Some of these comments are from drunk jackasses, no doubt!!!!!!!

[@jackwsanta1793]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bobbydarren5305]

Nothing but lies for attention

[@redlinemando]

If you are offended by it, then why even waste your energies on a comment.......JACKASS!!!!!!! How about calling it what it is..............imitation by fans to show admiration for 2 legends. This is a parody acted out by, not only fans of the genre, but artists as well, there's a TON of bluegrass history & truth behind the comedy & that's what makes it even funnier!!!!!!!