Paul Kovac Joins David Mayfield for Masters of American Music: The Music of Bill Monroe
When David Mayfield takes the stage on July 22 to celebrate the music of Bill Monroe, he'll be joined by someone with a remarkable Monroe story of his own.
Roots of American Music is pleased to welcome Paul Kovac to the next installment of the Masters of American Musicseries at Visible Voice Books. Long recognized as one of Northeast Ohio's finest acoustic musicians, Kovac has spent decades performing bluegrass, folk, and traditional American music. Along with David Mayfield, he's been one of the region's leading bluegrass players for decades, and the two have been longtime collaborators, appearing on each other's projects and sharing stages throughout their careers.
What makes this performance especially meaningful is that Paul didn't just grow up playing Bill Monroe's music—he played with Bill Monroe himself.
In July 1981, just days after banjo player Butch Robbins left the Blue Grass Boys, a 25-year-old Paul Kovac was asked to fill in for a festival appearance in Geneva, Ohio. Monroe even loaned him Robbins' hat and tie before they took the stage. The band performed two sets that day, with mandolin legend John Duffy joining them during one performance, giving Paul the unforgettable experience of performing alongside the man who created bluegrass.
More than forty years later, that story comes to the Visible Voice stage where we join to celebrate the legacy of foundational American Musicians.
David Mayfield will lead audiences through Monroe's music and the stories behind it, joined by a musician whose own career includes a place in that history. Together, David and Paul bring decades of experience, friendship, and a shared love of bluegrass to an evening celebrating the artist whose influence still shapes American roots music.
Join us on Wednesday, July 22, at Visible Voice Books as David and Paul swap Monroe stories and reflect on the music that has inspired both of their careers.
Admission is $15 at the door, with proceeds supporting the educational programs of Roots of American Music.
