{{short description|American singer-songwriter}} {{distinguish|Bill Jorgensen}} {{multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=July 2012}} {{one source|date=July 2012}} }}
'''Bill Jorgenson''' (December 22, 1930 – February 5, 2007) was an American bluegrass musician. He was born in Ahnapee, Wisconsin, and grew up in nearby Door County, Wisconsin USA. He was primarily noted for being the Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass, a title given to him by Bill Monroe.<ref name=allmusic>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p483631|pure_url=yes}} Biography at allmusic.com], Jason Ankeny, Retrieved September 5, 2007</ref>
Jorgenson began playing the guitar after listening to the WLS National Barn Dance on the radio.<ref name=allmusic /> He switched from traditional country music to bluegrass while in basic training in the United States Army. After he returned to Door County, he began performing in Milwaukee. He was once the opening act for Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash at the Milwaukee Auditorium, and briefly had his own local television show.<ref name=allmusic />
He launched the Glenmore Opera House, and started the Heritage Farm Bluegrass Festival. He regularly performed free performances at elementary schools in northeast Wisconsin. Jorgenson performed for 65 years. In 1998 he was inducted to America's Old-Time Country Music Hall Of Fame. Late in his career he began releasing his music on CDs.<ref name=allmusic /> In 2001 he released the CDs ''Amberlee'', ''The Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass'', and ''Bluegrass in the Northwoods''.<ref name=allmusic />
He died on February 5, 2007, days after suffering a massive stroke.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.bjorgensonbluegrass.com/ Official website] *[http://swbmai.org/2007/03/remembering-bill-jorgenson/ Memorial at The Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jorgenson, Bill}} Category:1930 births Category:2007 deaths Category:American bluegrass musicians Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:People from Ahnapee, Wisconsin Category:20th-century American musicians Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters Category:Singer-songwriters from Wisconsin