Conversation so far:
What happened during the folk revival?
Monroe's fortunes began to improve during the "folk revival.
What was folk revival?
The word "bluegrass" first appeared around this time to describe the sound of Monroe and similar artists.
Did they gain a bigger fanbase ?
Monroe gradually expanded his geographic reach beyond the traditional southern country music circuit.
Did he receive any awards?
CANNOTANSWER.
How long did folk revival last?
the early 1960s.
Anything else you found interesting?
referred to Monroe as the "father" of bluegrass.

Question: Why was he called that?
Self-contained rewrite: Why was Monroe called the "father" of bluegrass?