Wow, Is Earl Scruggs The Coolest Man Ever?


For those who only remember Earl Scruggs from The Beverly Hillbillies, there's oh so much more to find. This is just a delight, even though you might suspect that while Earl has perfect recollection of how to play the banjo, he might not remember who those guys around him are (even though he's related to most of them--his sons, I think). But if you like this, go to YouTube and see more. As Steve Martin once said, "The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful." And, yes, on YouTube, you'll find Steve playing with Earl on "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

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Reminds Me of the Recently Late, Great...

Stephane Grappelli, who'd played with Django Rheinhardt a lot... I have recordings of him going strong in the 1990's... I think he died in 2000 or 2001, still playing unbelievable tasty fiddle right up to the end.

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"we are all ignorant, only on different subjects." -- W. Rogers, 1924

Only one of them (the bass player) was his son, I think

Don't know who was playing guitar or the dobro/resonator, but the first mandolin solo was from Sam Bush (of New Grass Revival, whose band played one of the best live performances I've ever seen -- 2007, Merlefest; opening number was the Beatles' "Within You, Without You," and they played the 70s AOR classic "White Bird," too!); second mandolin soloist was Ricky Skaggs.

Also that year at Merlefest, Earl was on stage with Doc Watson, John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band also on banjo and John Paul Jones (yes, him) playing mandolin. Good times....

Two sons...

"The All Stars consist of Earl Scruggs on banjo, Sam Bush and Ricky Skaggs on mandolins, and Phil Leadbetter on dobro. They are accompanied by Randy and Gary Scruggs on guitar and bass, respectively."