Arnold Schultz was a black country blues player who Bill Monroe would see whenever he came through Rosine, Kentucky. Through his influence, Monroe spiced his playing with blue notes and blues licks.
Bill Monroe fused the influences of his two childhood mentors, Uncle Pen Vandiver and Arnold Schultz. Uncle Pen played the fiddle, and had a rich repertoire of songs and melodies that Monroe was to draw from throughout his career.
His fiddle-playing techniques became an intricate part of Monroe’s style of mandolin playing. The blues in Bluegrass came from Arnold Schultz. The fusion of these influences created a unique and unmistakable style.
Arnold Schultz never recorded, but his original style of blues guitar and singing can be heard in all those whom he influenced.