The Bluegrass Breakdown
Bill Monroe's Tour Bus Seeks a New Home

This article ran in the Summer 2005 Issue of the Bluegrass Journal

Written by Sherri Chekal• All Rights Reserved by the Author, July 2005
Reprint Rights Available by Contacting the Author or The Bluegrass Journal Editor

ItÕs hard to imagine that one single bus could offer so many stories and memories, yet, there is a bus in bluegrass history that could write a book! ItÕs the Bluegrass Breakdown, one of Bill MonroeÕs favorite touring buses of the 1970Õs. This bus can be found in Ohio, looking for just the right person to help preserve it for future bluegrass fans. Perhaps youÕd like to learn a little more about the background of this historical vehicle.

The bus is a 1956 Flexible with a newly rebuilt 238 Detroit Diesel engine, new transmission and historically painted in BillÕs two-tone blue scheme. He affectionately nicknamed it the ÒBluegrass BreakdownÓ and yes, his instrumental by that name is dedicated to the bus. Originally, the bus was owned by Ferland Husky who sold the bus to Kitty Wells, the popular country artist. She sold the bus to Bill in 1972 and for the next ten years, the bus was home to Bill and the Bluegrass Boys as they toured about from show to festivals all over the nation.

One of the more popular stories about the bus involved Bill and the boys on route to Los Angeles to record a television show. Unfortunately, the bus broke down, stranding them. However, it was a lucky break for a new band called Muleskinner and gave Peter Rowan, David Grisman and Clarence White a chance to fill in on the show and get a big boost in their own careers! Peter Rowan has fond memories of the bus as itÕs primary driver for many years while he played with Monroe. He has written about the bus in his books and has even mentioned it in his songwriting. Whenever the bus arrives at a show or festival, both fans and entertainers line up to tour and talk about their own memories of this historical relic of bluegrass.

Unfortunately, Bill needed a more reliable tour bus and it was sold to Lonzo and Oscar and they eventually sold the bus to Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers. Brewer used the bus for some time and ultimately sold to bus to longtime bluegrass fan, Red Tonkin. Some people might remember the event at the Nova Country Stage where RedÕs wife was quite furious over the purchase and their argument that day went down in local legend! Red had plans of fixing up the historical vehicle and bringing it back to the fans to experience and tour, however he passed away before that dream could be realized and the bus sat for several years, waiting.

When the Ohio family band, One Way Rider, decided to move to Nashville and work full-time entertaining in the area, they needed a vehicle to get them there and provide a home while they toured. They hadnÕt set out to buy a bus; however, they struck a deal with RedÕs wife and soon were on the road. They had heard that their bus was important, however it wasnÕt made clear until the night they parked in downtown Nashville, across from the Ryman Auditorium and they had a steady stream of Grand Ole Opry stars coming by to tell them stories and marvel at seeing this ghost of the past back home.

For many years, Valerie, David and their children lived on the bus, and Valerie said ÒAs long as we were broke or barely making it, the bus never let them downÓ However, as soon as they began to invest money into updating and maintaining the Bluegrass Breakdown, it ran true to it name and began to fail. Both Valerie and David Mansfield agree, the bus needs to be retired, restored and given its rightful place in bluegrass history. They are looking for that right person and all serious inquiries should be directed to the family through their website, www.OneWayRider.com.