To preview the upcoming Bean Blossom music fest and celebrate the publication of Thomas Adler’s new book Bean Blossom: The Brown County Jamboree and Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Festivals, David Brent Johnson of WFIU radio profiles the event.

“Live music performances in Bean Blossom began at the dawn of the 1940s at the side of State Highway 135, as a means of attracting customers to Bean Blossom businesses. They were soon moved onto the property of grocery-store owner Francis Rund and gained popularity through Midwestern radio broadcasts and the town’s close proximity to Camp Atterbury, with a special bus line carrying soldiers to Bean Blossom so that they could enjoy the music.”