Foreword by Béla Fleck
Authors’ Note
Introduction
Chapter 1 Humble Beginnings
Chapter 2 From Blue Grass to Foggy Mountain
Chapter 3 Flatt and Scruggs
Chapter 4 The Beverly Hillbillies
Chapter 5 Changin’ Times
Chapter 6 New Beginnings
Chapter 7 Earl, Earl, Earl
Chapter 8 The Influence of Earl Scruggs
Bibliographical Notes
Select Bibliography
Gordon Castelnero is a freelance documentary writer/producer and
author. His local productions have been recognized by the National
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences—Michigan Chapter with an
Emmy Award and several nominations.
David L. Russell is a writer, musician, and banjo teacher, and has
toured with a number of bluegrass bands in Michigan and Georgia. He
has an MA in philosophy from the University of Detroit (Mercy) and
a PhD in history and religion from Michigan State University.
Every serious bluegrass-music aficionado is well acquainted with
both the three-fingered banjo-picking style that gives the genre
its pizzazz and the banjo-playing genius who popularized it, Earl
Scruggs. Even those who grew up watching the TV sitcom The Beverly
Hillbillies are familiar with one of Scruggs’ most famous
compositions, 'The Ballad of Jedd Clampett,' the show’s theme song.
In this laudatory, blessedly scandal-free biography, television
writer Castelnero and banjo instructor Russell follow the complete
arc of Scruggs’ rags-to-riches story, from his impoverished
childhood in Flint Hill, North Carolina, to his early livelihood as
a traveling musician and later fame as an American music icon.
According to the authors, Scruggs’ greatest career highlight came
on December 8, 1945 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, where the banjo
player was performing with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. The
consummate skill and revolutionary picking style Scruggs displayed
that night have been influencing banjo players ever since. Must
reading for bluegrass fans and an essential acquisition for every
library’s performing arts collection.
*Booklist*
When I began reading my new copy of Earl Scruggs, Banjo Icon, I was
so engrossed I couldn’t put it down. This biography of our beloved
banjo guru will take you back as if you’re there every step of the
way, growing up as part of Earl’s family, sharing in the music, the
simple farm life that was his home in his early years, and the
various steps that took him to the forefront of the bluegrass
world.... [A]fter reading this book, you’ll feel like you knew
[Scruggs] his entire life.
*Banjo Newsletter*
Earl Scruggs: Banjo Icon by Gordon Castelnero and David L. Russell
uses an oral history approach to produce a volume both
scholarly and readable. With the full cooperation of the Scruggs
family, they conducted 72 interviews with family members,
musicians, recording industry people, and Earl Scruggs' many
friends and admirers to create a well-rounded account filled with
lots of previously unpublished information while never losing the
human touch, always keeping the subject matter interesting and
real.
*No Depression*
[Earl Scruggs: Banjo Icon] should be enjoyable for musicians and
non-musicians alike.
*GateHouse Media, Inc.*
This is an insightful tribute to the man who put the banjo in
bluegrass. Taken from many oral histories or first-hand accounts of
folks who knew Scruggs, we get a rather detailed look into his life
from the time he was a child right up to the time of his death.
With a foreword by Bela Fleck setting the stage, we hear from a
who’s who of modern banjo players of all ages. The authors have
even extrapolated the influence that Scruggs had upon succeeding
generations by including interviews with so many young players who
felt his influence first-hand and through his many recordings and
appearances.... This book is essential for all fans of bluegrass
banjo, Flatt & Scruggs, and the Earl Scruggs Revue or even The
Beverly Hillbillies.... [It presents] a solid representation of the
man behind the music.
*Bluegrass Unlimited*
Earl Scruggs: Banjo Icon gives the most comprehensive and complete
history of a man who changed the world of music forever. Earl was
an innovator, perfectionist, risk taker and a global inspiration to
countless musicians... A must-read for any music fan!
*Travis Tritt, singer and songwriter*
Earl Scruggs was a leader whose unassuming nature meant he was
always excited to meet a new fan, even though he was a music
legend. This book gives us essential insights into Earl’s life. His
life’s work will influence and inspire forever, as rare few have
over the years. Earl made it a better world, and he’s the
reason I have a life in music. Without him there would not have
been a Will the Circle Be Unbroken record.
*John McEuen, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band*
In time, America, beyond the Bluegrass world, and the rest of the
planet will recognize Earl Scruggs as an innovative genius. Earl
Scruggs: Banjo Icon by Gordon Castelnero and David Russell will be
an important light guiding the way to that next step. Brilliantly
written, researched, and sourced, Earl Scruggs: Banjo Icon further
elevates the subject. There are written words about Earl Scruggs.
He even co-wrote a book about his style, but Russell and Castelnero
have brought new depth and analysis. Every Earl Scruggs fan will
add this work to their library. The legend will grow, as it
should.
*Steve Martin, Unreal Bluegrass*
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