crishergirl - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:26:57

I had hoped that Earl would go on for years to come. I will miss his presence in the bluegrass community. Such a gentle soul.

crishergirl - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:27:06

I had hoped that Earl would go on for years to come. I will miss his presence in the bluegrass community. Such a gentle soul.

crishergirl - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:27:24

I had hoped that Earl would go on for years to come. I will miss his presence in the bluegrass community. Such a gentle soul.

banjobilly32 - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:28:01

I became a Scruggs disciple after listening to him on WSM when he first joined Bill Monroe. My dad bought me an open back 5 string banjo and told m to learn to play like that ! Well it took me 3-4 years to discover the correct way to tune it, and how many picks to wear! In the years to follow I finally acquired a more suitable instrument and finally could play well enough to impress local crowds.

I got to see Lester and Earl perform together twice, and did shake their hands. I never got to talk and visit with either of them. I remember exactly where I was when I heard Lester had died. I read of Earl's departure this morning reading my emails.

I'm 80 years old now, maybe Earl will save me a seat so I can jam with him?? Rest in peace Earl, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten!

Rennie - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:28:11

A very sad day RIP Earl

usedtire - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:34:20

The reason I play the banjo today is because of the Beverly Hillbilly's Song. Thanks Mr. Scruggs and may God Bless.

kb2dhg - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:34:44

It is with great sadness to hear of Earl's passing today for me and the rest of the Bluegrass picking world.
Mr. Scruggs gave us such wonderful music and memories.
Earl you will be surly missed but I at least know that heavin is never going to be the same because now all the angels have the greatest Banjo player with them to enjoy. Heavin surly is a better place to me now with Earl in it...

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU GAVE US and for being an insperation to me and my Banjo playing...
REST IN PEACE OLD FAITHFUL SERVANT, You did well....
I will be listing to the heavins for your Banjo...

kangotwang - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:34:46

Earl didn't know me but he gave me one of the best gifts of my entire life. The desire to play the banjo like him. Although I never succeeded in building my talent to his level, (not even close) I will always be grateful to Earl Scruggs. The Greatest Banjo Player Who Ever Lived. God bless you Earl Scruggs and keep you always.

Strelnieks - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:41:27

Earl lives on every time that hammer-on hits the third fret of the second string.

We'll miss him, but he's still there, in a way, and always will be as long as we keep pickin'.

- Strel

Badjer - Posted - 03/29/2012:  12:53:37

We had a small show last night and I found out about 30 minutes before we started from our bass player. The show kicked off with Earl's Breakdown. Felt like the right thing to do. R.I.P. Mr. Scruggs.

031449 - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:04:41

I've never met Earl, nor seen him play, but I remember getting my first banjo and sitting in my room listening to his music over and over again in order to figure out how to play like he did. Not only was Earl a phenomenal banjo player, he bucked the country-music establishment and brought the banjo to other styles of music and thus opened the true potential of the banjo's power. You gave me the inspiration to do what I now do with my music...you are a true legend and will be missed.

Vapor - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:22:36

I apreciate all that he brought to the banjo, bluegrass music, and the tremendous gift he has left us with, his contributions.

Thank You Earl, and thank you to his family for sharing him with us.

250gibson - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:29:24

I had the pleasure of meeting Earl after a couple of his shows.  Earl was always gracious and would not leave until everyone who wanted to shake hands and get an autograph was able to.  As I waited my turn I tried to think of what I was going to say.  When it was my turn I just said:  "Mr. Scruggs, I just wanted to tell you how much of an influence you've had on me and just wanted to say thanks."  Earl smiled and shook my hand and replied: "Thank you, and God Bless You."  Although this was more than likely  the hundred- millionth time he has heard that, he seemed to genuinely appreciate the compliment.  

As I sit with my banjo and remember him with a couple of his tunes, played to the best of my ability, it is now my turn to say to him:  "Thank you Earl, and God Bless You"   

robbif - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:34:08

Jingle Bells

billy vance - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:38:16

My two favorite people from Flint Hill N C are both gone, my Mother and Earl Scruggs.

stumpkicker - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:54:27

Just My 2 cents. Like many of you it was Earl who inspired me to play the banjo, but my first several banjo books were folk and clawhammer, being a suburban kid I didn't know the difference for several years.



In 1978 I got a chance to see Earl and the Revue at a small club in New Orleans, $5 cover charge. I had only been playing grass for a few months via Werniks book, and I brought along my brand new Scruggs book hoping to get it autographed. Being a newbie I had no idea how accessible most bluegrass stars were. Twice between I walked up to within 10 feet of him, my feet froze and I walked backed to my seat. (no one else went up to ask for an autograph either). To this day I regret that lost opportunity. In the next world I'll know better.



Rest in Peace.  except for heavenly jams



Rick

fitlike - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:59:03

R.I.P Earl, you were and always will be an inspiration to me and millions of banjo pickers,Your music will live on forever.

robbif - Posted - 03/29/2012:  13:59:50

"The family has asked that donations go to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville or The Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC" • www.facebook.com/the.earl.scruggs.center

BiggT - Posted - 03/29/2012:  14:25:37

Thank you Lord for the gift of Earl.

Peace and Comfort to all his loved ones.

gDGBD - Posted - 03/29/2012:  14:27:42

The first bluegrass I ever heard was Mr. Earl playing Flint Hill Special on the Foggy Mountain Jamboree album.  I didn't play banjo at the time, and I had no idea what he was doing; all I knew was that the sound was like an electric current going through my brain.  After I learned to play, I began listening to his backup work and discovered an entirely new world of subtle beauty.

I regret that the Powers That Be never saw fit to make him a Kennedy Center Honoree, a tribute he so richly deserved (they even gave one to Neil Diamond, for Heaven's sake).

He'll be present wherever and whenever people play the 5-string with three fingers.  Rest in Peace, Mr. Scruggs, and thank you so very much.

pops - Posted - 03/29/2012:  14:42:30

May the Lord give his family peace and comfort. Thanks for it all MR. SCRUGGS

bbult - Posted - 03/29/2012:  14:46:49

RIP Mr. Scruggs.  The angels will be singing Blurgrass today.......and a sincere thanks from this picker--I have spent many many hours working on your music with some success but great delight!!

Bill B.

Bayliss - Posted - 03/29/2012:  14:47:17

Sorry to here of Earl's passing.

In 1974 I bought my first banjo, a Gibson bowtie circa 1963 and equipped with original Scruggs tuners. The strings had worn grooves in the surface of the brass cams. I called Bill Sullivan of First Quality Music to inquire if he had replacement cams available. He replied "No, because there is very little demand for them."  When I asked if he knew where they might be acquired, He suggested that I should call Earl Scruggs, and gave me Earl's home phone number. I dialed the number and Earl answered, (At that point I was almost too nervous to ask my question.) Of course, he didn't have any either, but he was just as nice and pleasant and polite as anyone you can imagine. Then he suggested I make my own replacements and wished me good luck.

Later I talked with him briefly at a couple of festivals. I always admired  the way he spoke with his fans.

The man's music and manner will be greatly missed.

R.I.P., Earl.

Gareth Banjoland - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:04:52

Thanks Earl, your music inspires me more everytime I listen to it.
Rest in peace.

Gareth Banjoland - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:05:11

Thanks Earl, your music inspires me more everytime I listen to it.
Rest in peace.

bebrown - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:08:21

Just thinking of the hours and hours of enjoyment in my lifetime that can be directly attributed to Earl. From my own enjoyment in playing, to listening to his playing and the music he was a part of developing, and even listening to other banjo players as well that he was an inspiration.  Thanks Earl...

slickstrings - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:28:38

He will be missed. I wish I could have met him.

impickin5 - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:30:13

Below is a partial from my BHO homepage blog:

 "Sometime in the late 50's, I was riding in a car with my Dad and I heard Flatt and Scruggs on the radio. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to learn how to play a banjo like Earl".

​Well, I never learned to play anywhere nearly like Earl, but I'm still trying even today.

Earl: The BEST there ever was, the BEST there ever will be......RIP

Ray  

Hoss - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:45:18

What a huge loss to the world of music. RIP Earl.

Hoss - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:45:18

What a huge loss to the world of music. RIP Earl.

kentucky blaise - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:52:49

I haven't been here in a while. I just wanted to drop by and pay my respects to Earl Scruggs.

RIP Earl. Roll on, buddy.

5stringJim - Posted - 03/29/2012:  15:57:34

Here's a link to a BBC news item about Earl's passing...

bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17556720

SeldomSean - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:01:36

I just bought D tuners 2 days ago and started working on Flint Hill Special. This song will always be special to me. God Bless You Earl Scruggs for getting me into playing Banjo and giving us all inspiration.

Mike Casey - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:07:12

God bless Earl Scruggs and thanks for all the good times we all love with the music you helped create and inspire.

Tanya - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:33:44

We pause with thankfulness that our world was blessed by the innovation, talent, dedication, goodness, and humor of Mr. Earl Scruggs. Our world was forever changed when he stepped into it, and now our world is forever changed again as he leaves it. May he rest in peace, and may the chime of his banjo always be remembered! We cherish Mr. Scrugss and all he has done for the banjo community.

Robxx - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:36:10

Somebody at the beginning of this topic said 'A legend gone' Not true, the legend of Earl will live forever.

Rest in peace Earl, you gave our bit of world something to hang on to.. Thank you.

picnparty - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:45:04

Thank you Earl for everything.    RIP     

ervinator - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:46:15

R.I.P Earl

DHoffmeyer - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:47:26

We thought it appropriate to share some of our photo archive of Earl Scruggs in this small gallery:

www2.timesdispatch.com/list/ga.../gallery/

As for Earl, he often handled compliments and thank yous with "It was my pleasure."   But today, looking back all I can say is "Earl, it was our pleasure."

Dean

jaderhold - Posted - 03/29/2012:  16:59:36

I got in my truck around lunch time today and turned on XM Bluegrass Junction.  The Old Home Town came on.  "Tonight my heart is lonely for the folks back home.....With Lester's pleading vocal and Earl's perfect banjo in the background....that hit kind of hard.

eric cash - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:01:54

Ive seen a few of my idol  past away but not as important, for me, last december my mom past away and i decide to pick up a banjo and if it wasn't  for is music and the joy of playing and getting better,  i really dont know how i would a make it thru, cheers  to a legend !!!

R.I.P Mr Scruggs

TWL - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:03:43

You one of my heroes that I actually got to meet. You inspired me and many others to play the banjo. Without you there would be very few pickers. You'll never be forgotten...ever.

ronald trotta - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:16:21

R.I.P. Earl the Banjo world will never see another with your talent.

lazlototh - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:17:42

This is from the NY Times:

The late John Hartford, a noted banjo musician in his own right, was quoted in Barry R. Willis' "America's Music: Bluegrass," as saying: "Everybody's all worried about who invented the style and it's obvious that three-finger banjo pickers have been around a long time -- maybe since 1840. But my feeling about it is that if it wasn't for Earl Scruggs, you wouldn't be worried about who invented it."


Tom in Maine

banjojunkie - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:36:06

A chill went up my spine this afternoon when this news was flashed on my television screen. As a new student to the banjo, I often marveled at how easy Earl made it all look. Earl's music and influence lives on every time one of us stands on a stage or sits in a jam session and plays one of his signature tunes. We need to thank Our Lord for sending us this wonderful, talented and decent man so we could all learn from his life. May God bless him and his family. I can just see Earl in heaven at this moment, bringing more infinite joy to those who are there, as he plays a rendition of FMB with other music legends who have made it there before him.

Earl, you were the best. Thank you for sharing your life with us. We are all richer for it.

richmondgeorge - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:40:00

RIP Earl, the only reason I ever picked up a banjo was to sound like you..

jbanjoist - Posted - 03/29/2012:  17:52:49

One can only have a glimmer of hope that he or she could touch as many lives and in such a positive way as Mr. Earl Scruggs. I know I would not have the joy of over 25 years of playing banjo and I cannot imagine not having that joy.

I am certain the list of people given that same joy by Earl is endless.

Mr. Scruggs, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The good Lord just added one excellent and outstanding banjo player, and man, to the Heavenly choir.

Rest In Peace Earl, Rest in peace.

Jim OBrien - Posted - 03/29/2012:  18:01:42

My God ! I just found out this most sad news. A friend called with a question regarding our Saturday night jam and asked me if I had heard. I'm stunned. I feel kind of like I lost an old pal or something. I think it's safe to say that Earl was a major influence on a very great many of us on the hangout. If it weren't for his wonderful talent and foresight on the 5 string I, for one, probably would not have been drawn to the instrument so readily. God bless you and keep you Earl.  

cherbr - Posted - 03/29/2012:  18:18:39

May God bless Mr. Scruggs as much a he blessed us all with his musical gift. Rest in Peace, Earl Scruggs.