A selection from the Columbia sides recorded between 1945 and 1948. This was the first release that included "Shining Path" (later included on "The Essential Bill Monroe, 1945-1949"). Later compilations of this same period offer better sound quality and more tracks.

bluegrass 1984 CD Studio Columbia CK 38904 Tex Willis (guitar, vocal), Dave Akeman (banjo), Sally Ann Forrester (accordion, vocal), Bill Westbrook (bass), Lester Flatt (guitar, vocal), Chubby Wise (fiddle), Earl Scruggs (banjo, vocal), Howard Watts (bass, vocal), Birch Monroe (vocal)