Men With Banjos, That Know How to Use Them

That's just plain ole AWESOME!!
I love seeing a good picker practicing his craft.
Earl Scruggs was indeed one of the best. A true master.

A former neighbor, Big Jim, was teaching himself to play and I was always on him to learn Foggy Mountain Breakdown and Dueling Banjos.
One afternoon he strolls over with his banjo strapped on and a smile like the cat that just ate the bird.
"Well E, here ya go.." and he busted into Foggy Mountain Breakdown.
It was a most excellent afternoon and I immediately set him to a beer and a shot.
We tried a few times to get me to do the guitar part for Dueling Banjos but I just never could get it.

For those that may not know, Master Earl died a little over 2 weeks ago.
Thanks for the reminder Radar.
E.

Funny you should post this. Just last night I turned on the tv and happened to see Steve Martin on Austin City Limits with a band call (I think) the Steep Canyon Rangers. For those that didn't see Steve Martin in his early stand-up years, he used to have a banjo there as part of a "prop" to his comedy. He was good at the three-finger pick back then. On the show last night he mainly played but kind of had his comedy as a "prop". He is an extremely funny and talented man.

I was a big fan of Flatt and Scruggs many years ago, and also played the banjo for a couple of years. I kind of wish I had stuck with it and learned more. Earl Scruggs kind of 'invented' or perfected the three-finger pick which became so famous ...especially after Deliverance came out. It's funny how a movie can suddenly make something that's been around a long time so popular. (Kind of like how millions of guys went out and got motercycles after Easy Rider came out.)

But I digress. Rest in Peace Earl Scruggs.

What a loss the death of Mr. Scruggs was. Working in a mill when he got a shot to audition and play with Bill Monroe. The genuine article. RIP.

Love the banjo work, but Paul on the piano was awesome. Keeping up note for note. Those were some fast fingers.

Sort of a side note. I am a big fan of the Public Radio station WFUV, boradcasting out of the Bronx and available for on-line listening at wfuv.org.

Twice a year they have their fundraising drives. One frequently hears of generous contributions by Steve Martin, with some version of: "I have to support a radio station that plays banjo music in the NY Metropolitan area."

A talented, and generous guy, for sure.

KS