Campbell "Doc" Mercer kicked off The Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Music Festival celebrating the life and music of Bill Monroe Thursday near Rosine in western Kentucky, but without the name of the "Father of Bluegrass Music" to promote it. Mercer is in a legal battle with Ohio County and its industrial foundation about whether he was ever given the legal right to use Monroe's name for commercial purposes. Ohio County and the foundation lay legal claim to Monroe's name and image after they bought the rights from Monroe's son 13 years ago. Mercer says the county granted him the rights to use Monroe's name in 2001, but the county says there was never any intent to allow Mercer to use Monroe's name and likeness. The Kentucky Court of Appeals is set to hear arguments in the case November 19th in Hardinsburg. Monroe, born September 13, 1911, at Jerusalem Ridge, near Rosine in Ohio County, is credited by music historians with creating the sound that became known as bluegrass music.Thursday, October 4, 2012
Legal Battle Over "Father of Bluegrass Music"
Campbell "Doc" Mercer kicked off The Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Music Festival celebrating the life and music of Bill Monroe Thursday near Rosine in western Kentucky, but without the name of the "Father of Bluegrass Music" to promote it. Mercer is in a legal battle with Ohio County and its industrial foundation about whether he was ever given the legal right to use Monroe's name for commercial purposes. Ohio County and the foundation lay legal claim to Monroe's name and image after they bought the rights from Monroe's son 13 years ago. Mercer says the county granted him the rights to use Monroe's name in 2001, but the county says there was never any intent to allow Mercer to use Monroe's name and likeness. The Kentucky Court of Appeals is set to hear arguments in the case November 19th in Hardinsburg. Monroe, born September 13, 1911, at Jerusalem Ridge, near Rosine in Ohio County, is credited by music historians with creating the sound that became known as bluegrass music.