The Chetboard

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obi ... 53841194/1>sigh<
Earl Scruggs is gone...

There are few musicians that have had the impact on their genre that Earl had. He's the reason Gibson started making banjos again. I remember banjo players getting hooked on the media-izing of Earl's playing...talking about how fast he played. This spawned a lot of Young Turks thinking if they played Foggy Mt Breakdown faster than Earl did that meant they were better banjo players than he. Such is always the case... "if I can play faster than Jerry...faster than Chet...faster than Earl..."

Earl had taste. It wasn't the speed. It was the taste, the cleanness of his tone... That is what makes musical greatness...

There will never be another like him....

I remember when I first heard Earl Scruggs on the premier of "The Beverly Hillbillies" in Sept. 1962. That was nearly 50 years ago. I've always appreciated his intricacy. Another great musician has left us.

Was a sad night for me last night at work when I learned of Earl's death. Lived a long life and died of natural causes, made it to 88, still playing, touring...having a helluva good time. Long before I was into Chet or Jerry, it was Earl Scruggs who brought the world of music into my life. What a Great man, yes...with great taste.....a true pioneer with an instrument he loved, and he shared such a wonderful gift with the world. Thanks for that Earl.....rest in peace banjoman.

Dow D.

Like Chet, Earl was the best. To me, Earl is to the banjo what Chet is to the guitar. Because of their creativity and originality they forever changed their respective instruments, and how they are played. They each had a unique style and tone, and are immediately recognizable when you here one of their recordings.

There will never be another Chet or Earl, and they taught the world how guitar and banjo should be played.

Jeff Stovall