Lockdown – remember that? - had many distressing effects. However, for some people it presented an opportunity to take on tasks that normal routine might not have permitted otherwise. For producer, teacher/performer, and researcher Bob Carlin, the pandemic allowed him to
Earl Scruggs
The great Earl Scruggs, now ten years gone
10 years ago, on March 28, 2012, Earl Eugene Scruggs, noted for popularizing a three-finger banjo-picking style that bears his famous name, passed away. The Scruggs style became a defining characteristic not just of the banjo but of bluegrass music.
Gary Scruggs passes
Gary Scruggs, Grammy winner, songwriter, musician, and eldest son of the late Earl and Louise Scruggs, passed away on December 1, 2021. He was 72 years of age. Gary Eugene Scruggs who was born on May 18, 1949, in Knoxville, Tennessee,
Ask a bluegrass legend – a special Halloween video
As we head into the Halloween weekend, with all the little ones preparing to scare us out of our boots with their spooky costumes, we've put together a very special video for your entertainment and edification. We have contacted a legitimate
On This Day #66 – First Bill Monroe recording with Flatt & Scruggs
On September 16, 1946, Bill Monroe recorded for the first time with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. These two evening sessions, 75 years ago today, were the first involving the aggregation acclaimed as the 'original bluegrass band,' comprising Bill Monroe
The Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook
We finally got our hands on a copy of the new Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook from Hal Leonard, which will surely have a place on the bookshelf of every serious banjo player or student worldwide. At least all who have
New Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook expected in May
The Hal Leonard music publishing company has announced the imminent release of a new book of Earl Scruggs banjo transcriptions. Titled The Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook, it will offer tablature for 84 classic Scruggs solos taken from both recordings and live
Inaugural Earl Scruggs Music Festival postponed again to 2022
People in the event production and venue management business have certainly had a tough year. No one gets any special sympathy, since the COVID restrictions have harmed their business almost universally, or at least worldwide. And of course everyone who
Earl Scruggs: A Player’s Guide with Bill Evans live Zoom workshops
Peghead Nation, the online musical instruction site, is launching a new, eight-part, live Zoom workshop series this Saturday. Titled Earl Scruggs: A Player's Guide, the course will be taught by noted banjo player and instructor, Bill Evans, with guest faculty
The real Father of Bluegrass: Bill Monroe or Earl Scruggs?
This response to our article last week, Who’s the real Father of Bluegrass, is a contribution from Richard D. Smith, a mandolin player based in Somerset County, NJ, and the author of Bluegrass: An Informal Guide and Can't You Hear Me