This post is a contribution from Brad Davis. Brad is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and recording engineer who has worked with a literal who’s-who of bluegrass music. Visit Brad online at braddavismusic.com.
Several weekends ago, I was called to perform with the legendary Earl Scruggs in San Francisco at the Whitney Island festival. This was an americana festival showcasing a variety of music in a three day event in front of a sixty thousand plus crowd of hungry listeners. Earl Scruggs Family and Friends were to be one of the big headliners for this event.
After settling into the dressing room for several hours it was our time to perform. The band for that show consisted of Jennifer Kennedy, (known as the dobro girl), Gary Scruggs on bass and vocals, Keith Sewell on electric guitar and vocals, John Garner on drums, Jason Carter (Del McCoury’s fiddle player), Earl Scruggs, and myself on flattop and vocals.
Earl hardly ever says much unless he has something important to tell you, so it’s rare if he talks much at all. Just before the song Ballad Of Jed Clampett, while Gary was talking to the audience, I stood there beside Earl, both of us staring out at the sea of people, and Earl said in the straightest tone of voice, “Boy, you sure now how to draw a crowd.”
I laughed so hard I could hardly remember that I was supposed to be singing Jed Clampett. Earl Scruggs may be a man of few words, but when he does choose to say something, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be worth a listen!
