Earl Scruggs: Banjo Icon (Roots of American Music: Folk, Americana, Blues, and Country)

I’ve waited for this book: a biography of my banjo hero, the innovator without whom Bluegrass music as we know it today would not exist, Earl Scruggs. A quick scan of the 8 reviews currently on Amazon.com shows that people either love the book or they hate it. Those who love it loved the man and are grateful to hear his story told. Those who hate it feel it is too much of a fawning tribute to the man, without exploring more deeply some of the stories or issues they would like to see covered.Much of Earl’s story has been told before in many places—in the biographies of others like Bill Monroe and Josh Graves, in magazine articles and liner notes, and word of mouth by musicians in picking circles. Earl’s story one every Bluegrass fan knows well: the story of the young banjo picker from Shelby, North Carolina who was hired in 1945 by Bill Monroe and whose opening flurry of notes on the Grand Old Opry a week later served as the “shot heard around the world,” signaling the birth of what was later to become known as Bluegrass music.We know about Earl’s strategic departure from Monroe’s band a couple years later and the great commercial success Scruggs found with his long-time partner, Lester Flatt. We’ve heard about how Earl’s wife, Louise, stepped into the role of band manager in a way previously unheard of from a woman. Many banjo players were originally inspired by Earl’s “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” featured in the 1967 film, Bonnie and Clyde and can sing along with the theme song for the 1960s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies which prominently featured Earl’s playing. Many banjo players have spent hours with Earl’s 1967 instruction book, Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo. Each of these pieces of Earl Scruggs love are laid out in this book.What really emerged for me in this book, co-written by two banjo players, is the personality of the easy-going innovative artist. Scruggs readily admitted that he didn’t think too technically about what he did—he just did it and let others try to figure it out. But his whole life he continued to be fascinated by music and continued to innovate and to find new ways to collaborate with an ever-widening circle of musician friends. This comes through vividly because the authors chose to interview many of these artists and to let them explain in their own words who Earl Scruggs was and what his playing has meant to them.Some may wish for more detailed analysis of technical aspects of Earl’s playing. Some may wish for more “dirt” on Earl from those who were not so enchanted with him. Some may be looking for a more academic analysis of the man and his art. Those people will not find what they are looking for in this book. But those looking for a flowing chronological narrative of a singular musician, tying together the many strands that made up his life will find it in this book. I only wish the book were not so expensive!

I want to thank the authors of this book for writing and collating so much good and valuable information on the life, influence and most importantly, the music of arguably one the greatest musicians in American history. The book opens and closes by setting limits on what the authors hope to achieve; an oral history, told by family, fellow musicians, and friends of Earl Scruggs, rather than a more academic biography of a great man and musician. I came to this book with little to no prior knowledge of Earl Scruggs. I needed to be reminded that it’s Earl’s banjo on the Beverly Hillbillies theme song, which I remember as a child. What I did not know was that Earl’s inimitable playing eluded all who tried to take up his mantel, and that the man himself was incapable of explaining (to anyone’s satisfaction) the intangibles of his touch, tone and taste. He was clearly an artist of expansive musical intelligence, as well as restless experimentation, and rather than being a great ‘hands-on’ teacher, much like Django Reinhardt, he was a spiritual influence with a clarion call from his banjo to summons the next generation of pickers. This book fills a large void in explaining the origins of a purely American musical genre, and it makes clear that once Earl Scruggs began playing, the banjo was no longer viewed as a musical joke, but it was now an instrument that deserved respect, and in many ways, became the center of this new American art form.

Great!

I consider myself an Earl fanatic, deeply read on the subject. I learned a few new things.

I always enjoy reading about Earl Scruggs. Some reviewers thought it was fluff, but some folks also don't like to read things that don't reveal dirt on someone. Earl Scruggs was a good guy -- many current celebrities could learn from him. Was he perfect? Of course not! But I prefer books that reveal the good side of a person. Earl Scruggs was one of the best.

A well-detailed biography of the man who changed the course of Bluegrass music, and banjo playing in particular. Earl was the bedrock of a new playing style that was responsible for the ENTIRE banjo industry of today and all its many builders-from major corporations to individual luthiers.

This was gifted to my father. He's a big Scruggs fan and spent the weekend with him in his younger days. He really appreciated this book and it was nice to hear some of the stories he tells.

It was a gift for a friend. He told me he loves it.

Seemed a bit superficial. Would have liked more on the music and the context.

Nice book, i have yet to read this but as a fan of the great man I knew I wanted it.

Got to be good

Great book, full of interesting anecdotes about the famous bluegrass banjo player

Enjoyed the book very much. Particularly enjoyed the insights of other banjo players. I am not a banjo player, I play guitar, but still enjoyed it. Part of Bluegrass History that I think we enjoy as much as the music. Had no idea the Earl Scruggs Review was so successful.