A tribute to the “high lonesome sound” of bluegrass music will soon travel throughout the country. The U.S. Postal Service unveiled a new Bluegrass stamp during a ceremony in Owensboro on Friday.
The ceremony was held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum. USPS first announced plans for the stamp in February.
The stamp’s design was inspired by vintage bluegrass concert posters. The stamp art showcases the genre’s 4 most notable instruments — guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. The phrase “High Lonesome Sound” adorns the top of the stamp as a reference to the 1963 documentary of the same name.
The stamp is part of the Forever collection, meaning it can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter regardless of when the stamp is purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future. Forever Stamps are always sold at the same price as a regular First-Class Mail stamp.
The Chief Customer and Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Steven W. Monteith, led the stamp dedication ceremony.
“Today, the singular American music style continues to thrive as a legacy that can make us all proud whether we’re musicians or a fan, and it’s a legacy we’re proud to recognize with this stamp,” Monteith said.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum Director Chris Joslin said that the USPS reached out last year to make this event happen, and he’s been awaiting the day to officially celebrate the bluegrass stamp.
“It’s powerful and it’s an absolute joy to be on this journey with [the city], and it’s also a great joy to be part of this special event today,” Joslin said.
Duncan said, “It’s our hope that this stamp speaks the soul of the music everywhere and inspires new audiences to learn more about the rich history of bluegrass music.”
To purchase a bluegrass stamp, visit the USPS website here.
