RIP Earl Scruggs

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 28 Mar 2012 6:10 pm

Today,at age 88,of natural causes.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 28 Mar 2012 7:24 pm

Sure hope he didn't die while I was watching them play this morning on The Beverly Hillbillies!

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 28 Mar 2012 9:18 pm

Ah, darn it. He sure had a good run, though, and made so many people happy.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 28 Mar 2012 9:50 pm

A giant among giants.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 28 Mar 2012 9:59 pm

Just like the piano. 88. He started the bluegrass banjo. I sure enjoyed his banjo with Lester Flatt. Great music.

Bill

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 28 Mar 2012 10:39 pm

An historic figure. Time is passing. Rest in peace.

Andrew Roblin · Post by **Andrew Roblin** » 29 Mar 2012 5:30 am

Earl Scruggs: A Sho-Bud Connection.

Earl brought one of his banjos into Sho-Bud in 1979 or 1980, when I worked there as janitor. Earl may have brought his banjo to Sho-Bud because Gene "Slyde" Wooten was working in the repair department then. Gene--one of the finest dobroists ever--had a great hand and eye for setting up bluegrass banjos.

Because I had come to Nashville to learn bluegrass banjo, my Sho-Bud buddies alerted me when Earl came in. I rushed down to the showroom and had the thrill of carrying Earl's banjo--and escorting Earl--up to the repair department and Gene's work bench.

Years later, when I was playing banjo professionally in Pennsylvania, I ordered some recordings from Scruggs Music. I sent along a note saying how much people in Pennsylvania enjoyed hearing Scruggs-style banjo. Earl's wife, Louise, wrote me a friendly and appreciative response.

Happy memories of nice people whose music changed my life for the better. Thank you and sincere condolences to the Scruggs family.

Andrew Roblin
International Sho-Bud Brotherhood & Sisterhood
Member #79