Juli Thanki

jthanki@tennessean.com

Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass, changed American music with eight strings and a high lonesome voice.

This week, fans can purchase some of the legend's possessions. The Bill Monroe Estate Sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1572 Long Hollow Pike in Gallatin.

More than 1,000 items will be up for sale, including musical instruments, clothing, jewelry, furniture, autographed photos of Marilyn Monroe (no relation) and other celebrities, a Civil War rifle, an antique barber's chair, Bill Monroe's Opryland Hotel VIP parking pass, his appointment books and his collection of cow figurines. Items belonging to his son, musician James Monroe, will also be sold during the three-day event.

According to Berenice Denton of Berenice Denton Estate Sales and Appraisals, bluegrass fans are calling from as far as Australia to inquire about the sale. She added that the musical instruments, especially the mandolin prototypes, are garnering the most interest. Those who are unable to make the trip to Gallatin can see the available items at berenicedenton.com and make bids by calling (615) 292-5765.

Monroe, a member of the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame as well as the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor, died in 1996 at the age of 84. After his death, several hundred items from his estate were sold during an event at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. However, Denton explained, Monroe's son and grandson still had "so many things" that they decided to host this week's sale to aid their efforts to downsize.

The songs Monroe recorded with his Gibson F-5 mandolin and his band The Blue Grass Boys influenced countless musicians, among them Elvis Presley: in 1954 the young singer turned Monroe's stately "Blue Moon of Kentucky" into a rock 'n' roll record.