Tom Ewing is a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in all of bluegrass music. Having spent ten years as Bill Monroe’s guitarist and lead vocalist, he can lay claim to the title of Bluegrass Boy, an honor that resonates with good reason among fans and followers of the music Monroe gave us.

Ewing also has the distinction of being last in line, as he performed with the band until Monroe’s retirement from active touring in 1996, having appeared on several recordings and traveled with The Bluegrass Boys all over the world during the rekindling of interest in his music that occurred late in Monroe’s life.

In 2000, Ewing edited a compilation of articles that had been written about Bill Monroe, along with several interviews, and assembled them as The Bill Monroe Reader, published by The University Of Illinois Press. The book mixed comments and observations from more than 60 sources with Ewing’s own, and was heralded as an important contribution to the historical literature when it was first released.

The paperback edition is now available, running 336 pages, and can be purchased from the publisher’s web site, or from any number popular online book sellers.