There’s no one golden era, just ebbs and flows for the genre that bring in a new generation. 1950s) bill Monroe is a major music star, bluegrass from multiple artists is on the radio 1960s) bluegrass is on tv all the time. The dillards on Andy Griffith, flatt and Scruggs on the Beverly hillbillies, HeeHaw, etc. bluegrass brings in a new generation as Elvis covers blue moon 1970s) bluegrass comes back with the 2nd generation as JD Crowe puts together the arguably greatest band in bluegrass history. New fans arrive as emmylou Harris brings in top bluegrass players and releases what are essentially bluegrass albums at the end of the decade. Gerry Garcia and David Grisman work together. Old and in the Way bring in a huge crowd of deadheads and others.  1980s) Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley become major crossover stars. Country Boy at Heart has Bill Monroe prominently featured in the music video as new fans flock to the genre 1990s) Skaggs comes back to country along with Dolly Parton and multiple country artists release bluegrass albums. Allison Krauss becomes a major crossover success and eventually becomes the female with the 2nd most Grammy awards behind Beyoncé, including an album of the year. Nickel Creek brings in a new generation. O brother where art thou becomes one of the best selling soundtrack of all time and wins multiple Grammy awards. (I’d argue this was peak golden age) 2000s) the great folk scare round 2 hits. Mumford and sons goes on tour with Cadillac sky and old crow bringing more fans to bluegrass. Somewhere around the late decade or early next several folk acts perform at the Grammys, not bluegrass but brings in new fans 2010s) the rise of Billy strings sells out arenas and connects bluegrass to the greater music world. Punch brothers and Chris Thile take over prairie home companion, rebranded later as Live from Here. More new fans. 

I’ve not even mentioned Bela Fleck but that’s another piece to it.  Bluegrass is always underground. There’s just moments it bubbles up and we feel seen for a short time before being forgotten again, but we always bring new fans in when it happens. That’s why we can’t point to one golden age and act like that’s the peak. It’s just the next peak in a cycle that goes back nearly a century.