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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

‘Babe Ruth Of Banjo’ Scruggs, 88, RIP

Earl Scruggs, performs at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Scruggs' son Gary said his father passed away Wednesday morning at a Nashville, Tenn., hospital of natural causes. He was 88. Wall Street Journal story here. (AP Photo/Eric Parsons, File)

Tagging Earl Scruggs as a legend is to diminish what he was to Mountain Music. He was arguably the best banjo picker that ever lived or ever will. Prior to his leap to fame in the 1940's, 5-string banjo was frailed rather than picked with three fingers. He invented the style which is used by most traditionalists including yours truly/Bay Views. More here.

Question: Do you enjoy hearing bluegrass/banjo music?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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