Earl Eugene Scruggs
January 6, 1924 - March 28, 2012
Earl Scruggs was the most influential and most imitated banjo player in the world. On December 8, 1945. He joined Bill Monroe's band and helped give birth to bluegrass music when he introduced his innovative and exciting 2-finger style of playing 5-string banjo on WSM-Radio's Grand Ole Opry.
Before Earl's Opry debut, 5-string banjos had become widely thought of as stage props used only by comedians playing rowdy old-time styles. Earl's refined musicianship electrified audiences and banjo sales skyrocketed, his way of picking became known around the world as "Scruggs Style."
In early 1948, Earl and Lester Flatt formed a band that Earl's loving wife, Louise, began managing in 1966, "Flatt & Scruggs" became one of the most successful country music acts of the era. In 1962, Flatt & Scruggs provided the banjo-driven music for the theme song of the hit TV series, The Beverly Hillbillies. The 1967 film, Bonnie and Clyde, featured their 1949 recording of Earl's composition, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."
Flatt & Scruggs split up in 1959 and Earl found many new fans when he bridged generations and musical genres by forming the "Earl Scruggs Revue" with sons Gary and Randy. It was a pioneering band in merging country and bluegrass sounds with elements from rock music. Youngest
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In his latter years, Earl's musical journey continued with his "Family & Friends" band, standing ovations awaited him at every turn, and Earl remained the modest and unpretentious man he had always been throughout his legendary career.
Earl Scruggs, who was also a gifted guitarist, was a true icon in the music world and an inspiration to countless musicians, though his strings are now silent, echoes of his sparkling Scruggs-style sound will linger in the air forever.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1945.
Location. 36° 14.458′ N, 86° 43.335′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Madison. Marker is on Gallatin Pike South (U.S. 31E) 1.3 miles north of Briley Parkway (State Highway 155), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 TN-6, Madison TN 37115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Louise Certain Scruggs (here, next to this marker); Odom’s Tennessee Pride Country Sausage (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmy Martin (within shouting distance of this marker); Spring Hill Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 31, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 4. submitted on November 5, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
