Posted on 03/28/2012 5:51:56 PM PDT by ArtDodger
Legendary banjo picker Earl Scruggs, one of the pioneering figures of bluegrass music, has died at 88. "The Essential Earl Scruggs"Scruggs reached his highest level of fame in the 1960s when he and partner Lester Flatt recording the theme song for The Beverly Hillbillies, which became a beloved weekly staple in living rooms that wouldn't think of ever putting on a bluegrass record, as well as a No. 1 smash on the not usually so rootsy Billboard country chart. But his stardom continued to give him a healthy touring career to the very end, especially at roots-music gatherings like the Newport Folk Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass or Stagecoach, on top of well-attended shows at performing arts centers. In recent years, Scruggs had toured with a band packed with family members and let his sons and grandson do all the talking as he sat impassively between solos. Fans would sometimes worry whether he was up to the task as he slowly made his way to center stage, only to gape in awe when his fingers would come to life, as spry as the rest of his body was not.
(Excerpt) Read more at music.yahoo.com ...
holy crap....my dad was NYPD for 23 years and spent a good chunk of the middle of his career working in Central Park SEU (street enforcement unit)...they had a festival every summer called the Schaffer Beer Central Park Music Festival....thanks to my dad i sat on the stage for dozens of concerts- one of them being Earl Scruggs about 1975!!!
I hope by now everyone has been here and listened to this twice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQIJuu3N5EY
If a man is known by the company he keeps, Earl Scruggs was something truly special. I think every musician with calloused fingertips would be proud to sit in with him.
RIP Mr. Scruggs and thank you.
I was out camping with my boys, once, and the were all like “Dad, tell us a ghost story!” around the campfire.
All I could come up with was...
Let me tell you a story about a man named Jed...
Fortunately, just then a wolf chased a cayote thru the campfire, and ended that embarassing momment.
Did you know that cayotes cry like babies? Odd sound.
I am sorry to hear that. RIP
Pearl, Pearl, Pearl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7QIlqb1RGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGdv10AMj6Q
If you can’t be bothered with posting the correct headline, please don’t post at all.
RIP Earl. You were one of the absolute best.
I never knew Foggy Mountain Breakdown dated from 1949.
I just remember it as the car chase backdrop in Bonnie & Clyde. Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs “Times are Changin’” LP with that tune was really big in 1968.
When I go to visit kin in Tennessee it’s worth traveling on Sunday to listen to the wonderful bluegrass gospel music on the radio. Many of them talk about leaving this earth to go on singing and praising the Lord in Heaven.
Earl Scruggs isn’t dead, he’s just been called to play a new gig now.
My son plays bluegrass banjo for a living. He owes a lot to Earl. RIP
Bella gave a shout out to Earl and worked some of The Ballad of Jed Clampett into his encore.
Never forget the first time I heard ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” I know he’s giving a great performance for the Lord right now.
Rest in Peace sir. You were a great, great, picker.
What an amazing life he had. Brings back memories when I was a little kid of sitting there with Mom and listening to that old-fashioned Country & Bluegrass music on the radio. So, so long ago.
RIP, Earl. Thanks for the memories.
A real picker! I’ll bet he’s already pickin’ an angel’s harp rigged with a strap over his shoulder, up yonder.
I copied and pasted the headline... What is your problem?
There was a chorus of “Oh, no!” in the Tax-chick household ... but hey, he was 88. I hope to hear him *live* on the other side.
Lucky you, my Dad was stationed in Brooklyn, so I didn't get those kind of perks!!!!!
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