Bean Blossom '79

The popularity of the Bean Blossom Festival continued to increase throughout the 1970s, with expected attendances rising from 35,000 in 1972 to 50,000 by 1977.^[1] The 1979 edition of the nine-day festival took place between June 9 and 17, 1979 — just a month after the death of former Blue Grass Boys member Lester Flatt. Accordingly, Monroe paid tribute to his former bandmate onstage at the festival, playing the co-written "Little Cabin Home on the Hill" in his memory; the song was later re-recorded in the studio, however, and blended with crowd noise for inclusion on the album.^[2] Bean Blossom '79 marked the last recordings of bassist Randy Davis as a member of the Blue Grass Boys, as he left shortly after the festival.^[2] The album was released by MCA Records eight months after it was recorded, on February 15, 1980.^[3]

Bean Blossom '79 received positive reviews from critics. Reviewing the album for Country Music magazine, Douglas B. Green called it "an affirmation of the unique musical vision which drove Bill Monroe through thick and thin, and the fire, drive and archaic beauty which sustains him and his music to this day".^[4] A review in Cash Box magazine praised the album's "fast pickin' and hot licks", highlighting "Little Cabin Home on the Hill", "The Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake" and the "Molly and Tenbrooks Medley".^[5]