Jingle Jam 2023!

Greetings fellow bluegrassers!

What’s going on in our bluegrass community:

10th Annual Ullrgrass Bluegrass Festival

January Festival Announcement!

UllrGrass is a music and beer festival held in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Golden, Colorado during the last weekend of January (Jan 26-28, 2024).  The Main Stages are on on the lawn and under party tents in Parfet Park.  This is a good one, now in it’s 10th year! The UllrGrass Beer Festival will be held on Saturday January 27 in Parfet Park from 12:00pm - 4:00 pm.    

Ullrgrass Band Competition is Thursday January 18, 6-9:30pm at the New Terrain Brewery

Ullrgrass Troubadour Contest is Thursday, January 11, 6-9pm at the Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse

Ticket Link: https://www.ullrgrass.com/tickets

Second Annual Jingle Jam Recap

by John Pierce

The 2023 Jingle Jam was held at The Velvet Elk lounge on Dec. 16th and it was a SOLD OUT event! Thanks to organizers Brandy Ray and Tom Buswell, it was a huge success and $5000 was raised for non-profit organization Sister Carmen. It was a star-studded event with over 50 musicians performing throughout the evening.

One of the best events of the Christmas season, there was so much great music and camaraderie in our bluegrass community, I can’t wait for next year!

Confessions of a Festival Addict

by Laurie Hutton

I have a serious obsession these days.  Before I moved to Colorado I imagined my retirement to be gardening and playing with grandchildren and traveling to distant lands I had never seen.  Then the banjo plan was adopted.  This new plan involved learning to play that happy instrument so I could jam with people in my new post retirement location.  What better way to meet people? Forget about getting a job. Forget about joining interest clubs.  Forget about tennis or pickeball.  This aging woman learned bluegrass!  What I didn't predict was my absolute love of going to bluegrass festivals.  Especially those with camping!  The calendar during my work years was checkered with conventions and vacations and holiday obligations.  Now my years are measured by which festivals I will attend. 

It started innocently with my first Merlefest in 2012. I know many readers are seasoned Telluride and Rockygrass attendees. Their instrument cases are dotted with stickers of favorite bands : some long disbanded. I missed this phenomenon that has been happening quietly for 40 plus years.  That was all about to change.  There was a whole new world of craic and musical adventure to be savored. I soon found going to festivals meant I could  hear the latest bluegrass and Americana artists, hone those banjo skills and meet the most amazing friends. 

I want to share a snapshot of my experiences at festivals in 2023.  Each one was a little different while at times having the same artists.  Finding the right ones to attend is a personal preference.  Here in Colorado we are fortunate to have so many options during the spring and summer.

Ullrgrass

Ullrgrass

UllrGrass UllrGrass  Why would one want to stand out in the January cold in Golden?  Because it's a blast!  Two nights of heated tent revelry combined with an awesome beer tasting Saturday afternoon makes you forget it is the dead of winter.  I booked a hotel nearby and donned my warmest clothes to hit up the huge tent in Parcot Park to dance the dark night away with hundred of music lovers.   I don't like beer much but having little tin cups with super cold beer to savor while listening to music was super fun.   The line up was rich with Colorado hot pickers  making this festival one I plan on hitting up again.

Midwinter Bluegrass Festival

Midwinter Bluegrass Festival Bluegrass Festival | Midwinter Bluegrass Festival | Colorado Who wants to be on the fourth floor?  Not me!  Midwinter is the place to be if you miss the all night jamming of Rockygrass.  Located at the newly renovated Delta Hotel just north of Denver, it is packed with National artists doing multiple sets during the weekend.  The entire hotel is taken over by musicians.  It is fun to count how many times you hear Old Home Place being played.  Every corner was taken by jammers.  My gang resorted to trying the workout gyms acoustics. There are workshops and band scrambles. I stayed at the hotel and caught as many of the bands as I could.  It is the definitive winter homecoming of Colorado Bluegrass!

Merlefest MerleFest  As usual I attended Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC  in 2023.  This massive festival is unique in the fact it is a dry festival.  Yup that means no beer sales and no smoke clouds above the crowds. This creates a special listening atmosphere that I absolutely love.  I have a reserved seat I carry over year after year ( just like season tickets).  I have the same camping spot at the North Wilkesboro Fire Dept campground.  The only thing that changes for me is the lineup and the price of gas to haul my camper across the country.  There are 12 stages and four days of music.  The Watson Stage is where the headline acts perform. There are always a variety of genres at this festival. Doc Watson called the music traditional plus and they've lived up to that philosophy even after his passing in 2012.  The festival is a marathon for my ears.  I attend all four days from opening to close including late night dance tent festivities.  The highlight of Merlefest for me  is the Hillside Album hour performed by the Waybacks.  Each year this California band takes a classic album and grasses it up with guest artists.  In 2023 it was Who's Next with Della Mae's Celia Woodsmith belting out Roger Daltrey!  Watching James Nash, Jens Kruger and Sam Bush taking licks on theses iconic songs is a joy that can't be overstated.

MerleFest





TicoTime Bluegrass Tico Time Bluegrass Festival | Music and Camping Festival   May is the beginning of the Colorado outdoor festival season.  Ticotime, while not exactly in Colorado ( its a few miles south of Durango in Aztec NM) was a blast.  I splurged for a full hookup and totally enjoyed this funky campground.  The lineup included some non bluegrass acts that were not  my thing but overall the days were full of dancing in the sand and enjoying the sweet vibe of a smaller festival.  The organizers have secured a huge and colorful sun shade for the audience.  The music is right next to the Animas River and you cross over the river from the campground to see the shows.  This was my first time attending and even thought I missed my beloved Billy Strings at Red Rocks, I was totally content.  The vibrant picking scene and energy of folks emerging from  winter created an  especially groovy atmosphere.

McAwesome Fest  McAwesome Ranch | Facebook  IYKYK!  McAwesome festival is a private little festival located down by Castle Rock.  The only way to attend is to be invited or join the McAwesome Ranch Group on Facebook. I attended my second McAwesome Festival this year. The set up is a huge area with dry camping available for trailers and tents.  The owners have built their own amphitheater with tiered seating along with a huge indoor barn area for late night and/or rain/hail.  The lineup is full of fresh talent with lots of energy!  This festival is DOG friendly which is a huge plus for folks.  It was held on Memorial Day weekend when there are competing festivals in the area. I like the intimacy of the grounds and the ability to get real close to the music. 

The Mighty Poplar at Tico Time

Rail on the River www.Coloradograss.org   This little festival arose out of the Longmont Musical Supper Club and it is one of my favorite weekends.  Located at the Parrish Ranch west of Berthoud, the festival is capped at 150.  There are electric/water hookups at a historic ranch with a dance hall and farm house.  This is a community affair with a crowd sourced bar, pot lucks and morning breakfast jams.  While not really a bluegrass festival it is an intense music festival developed to support local Colorado bands.  Those of us who attend enjoy the special weekend along the Little Thompson River.  There are lots of jamming opportunities for a variety of genres including  electric up in the dance hall late at night.  This was my third year attending this last weekend in June Festival.  It is summer camp for adults.

www.snowygrass.com  SnowyGrass took a huge leap this year moving to the fairgrounds in Estes park.  With a killer lineup and new onsite camping it was a great experience.  We even had fireworks courtesy of the town since the July 4th show was postponed.  I was able to dry camp with my 24 foot trailer and be within close proximity to the music.  The backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the picking opportunities  and the cool evenings made the weekend totally enjoyable.  The fact it is so close to home was even better.

RockyGrass 52nd Annual RockyGrass Festival — Planet Bluegrass • Colorado Music Festivals & Concerts • Lyons, CO   I opted for the RockyGrass Academy again this year extending one of my favorite weekends into 8 days of splender on the St Vrain River.  I can't imagine missing the whole event.  It all starts with load in on Sunday and the first of many lotteries.  Who is going to  get the best number to secure a good camping spot for academy. Who has room in their car?  Who is gonna throw down the tarps?  This year I lucked out with a low number and was able to get my favorite spot for my new/used under 18' popup bought specifically for onsite at the planet.  Thus began my residence in bluegrass heaven.  The morning performances by the instructors. The instrument classes. The electives The band scramble contest.  The barbecues.  The jamming.  The singing in the river!  When it all came to an end on Thursday the next chapter of fun began.

Our little community of 300 grew exponentially within just a few hours.  The energy level exploded from the anticipatory excitement of four nights and three days of hard driving bluegrass and revelry.  The pinnacle event of bluegrass aficionados in  Colorado had begun and the whirlwind of music, camaraderie and happiness swept through the campground like a derecho.  We laugh, we sing, we stroll through the darkness. We head  down Porta Potty Road  and River Road looking to catch a glimpse of one of our musical heroes joining a local's jam.  We imbibe at Coleman Square and get the tarp run numbers at midnight.  We bake in the sun listening to the best bluegrass musicians bring their talent to our heavenly spot. We eat our favorite RockyGrass foods from the same vendors and switch to our warm clothes for the night's magic.  Repeat two more times.. then Monday and the sweet exhaustion of another Rockygrass in the books. 

Rapidgrass Festival Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival (rapidgrassfestival.com) Nestled in the mountain town of Idaho Springs right off I70 is the hometown festival of Rapidgrass. I finally made it to this bucket list event spotlighting the Colorado band that lives up to its name.  I  opted for a local motel instead of the available tent camping.   This is a low key intimate festival without much of a picking scene. There were a few out of town acts in addition to locals that made the weekend pleasant.  This is a budget friendly festival in a beautiful setting.

Pickin in the Pines Flagstaff Home - Pickin' in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival (pickininthepines.org)  The lineup at this festival in Flagstaff has been really strong in the last several years and this year was no exception. I planned ahead to get a nice spot for my trailer at the beautiful Fort Tuthill County Park where the event is held.  The venue is fabulous and not overcrowded.  The weather was gorgeous and there were plenty of picking opportunities. If this were a little closer I would make it every year.

Renewal Billy Strings Renewal 2023 - Thanks for joining us | Bonfire Entertainment My 2023 festival season ended with my third trip to Billy Strings Renewal held in Buena Vista.  This is a favorite weekend with 7500 fans converging on the grounds to share in the love for all things Billy Strings. I arrived Thursday and set up my shared compound with friends and enjoyed a weekend full of daytime jamming and camaraderie and magical music from late afternoon till late at night.  With the added talents of Della Mae, Shadow Grass, East Nash Grass, and Leftover Boys Drew and Vince, Billy and his crew once again showed why they are the reigning IBMA Entertainers of the Year.  This was a fantastic way to close out the summer.

The year is coming to a close and the notifications are coming in about ticket sales for 2024.   Which festivals will you be attending?   I will keep feeding this obsession of mine until these feet and ears can't take it any more.  Let us relish the amazing music scene we have fostered here in our beautiful state!  Keep on pickin!

Broke Mountain Review

by David Smith

“A Timeless Weekend in Denver”

Timeless is a word used to describe an event that seems to have come from a bygone era, but a recent weekend at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver was timeless in that the past, present, and future came together in a whirlwind of bluegrass music, friends, and family. The 20th reunion of the Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band rose above the hype leading up and surpassed all expectations of talent and entertainment. But in the vein of being “timeless” let’s start with the present day and the opening bands who exemplified the here-and-now of western bluegrass.  

Taking the reins of the Colorado bluegrass sleigh, over the hills and plains of the modern day, is The Fretliners. The band walks a rare line between technical prowess and real deal bluegrass. This is achieved by a quartet melding into one body, as the clean instrumental and vocal skills of Dan Andree on fiddle and Taylor Shuck on stand-up bass, converge with the gritty rhythm and high lonesome vocals of Sam Parks on mandolin – and a true powerhouse – Tom Knowlton on guitar. The Fretliners opened the first night of the two-night stand with a set that had all in attendance taking note of the moment, with a vision of what is to come. Timeless.

Night two also highlighted today’s best. If I may digress, one of the aspects I love about Billy Strings is that on any given night, the show could be called The Jarrod Walker Band, or The Alex Hargreaves Band, or The Billy Failing Band. Their talents are showcased to that extent and their ability to move an audience through sound is that great. Banjo player, Billy Failing, brought that experience to the crowd, along with Silas Herman on mandolin, Jean-Luc Davis on bass – and one who I declare here and now has reached the status of “Living Legend” – Tyler Grant on guitar. With musical histories tied to Leftover Salmon and Jeff Austin, along with the modern currents of the western countryside, the timeless sound of Colorado acoustic music was heard through every note.

Now the real whirlwind… It was a reunion and not an anniversary, as years have passed, miles have been traveled, festivals headlined, inspirations and knowledge gained, friendships bonded like ice on the rocks of rapids rippling the Animas, the San Miguel, the St. Vrain. The music told every story. There were natural and true connections of voices and instrumentation; a genuine joy for making music together. Set lists were created to spotlight the individual talents of the band.

The lead vocals of Travis Book thrilled all (is there anyone since Tim O’Brien who makes powerful, soaring notes seem so effortless and true?). Night #2 was the trifecta of Travis Book covers: Shawn Camp’s “Travelin’ Teardrop Blues,” Olla Belle Reed’s “High on a Mountain Top” (done in a way that manages to differ from Del McCoury’s and Hot Rize’s signature renditions), and Bob Dylan’s “Senor” (again with Book finding his own voice and style).

Childhood friends, Andy Thorn and Jon Stickley, are forthright in their appreciation for the traditions of bluegrass, with “Blue Kentucky Wind,” “Mighty Mississippi,” and many more being fired and belted from the stage in a manner that would have Lou Reid and Doyle Lawson looking on with enjoyment.

The twisted originals of Robin Davis (night #1’s “I Control the Rain” and night #2’s “Prom Night”) were both received by the crowd with eruptions of adulation, which was true for every moment he stepped up to the mic.

Anders Beck is a definition of showmanship and instrumental talent, as he plays with an honest tone that builds trust with the audience; you can count on him to show you a good time.

The sit-ins were powerful (Paul Hoffman’s “No Expectations” tribute to Jeff Austin). Burle with “Poor Boy’s Delight” and “Gentle on My Mind” back-to-back! And speaking of Benny “Burle” Galloway, like the circumstance that gave life to Yonder Mountain String Band, Burle was front and center when Broke Mountain took their late-night antics to the stage. And in a similar fashion, his pencil was to paper. The song “Why Cry” was written for Broke Mountain, and Thorn honed his claw hammer style for the song. These beautiful words of longing wouldn’t seem to be a match with the topical folk of Thorn’s original, “Red Fox Run,” mind for the ancient tones of the claw hammer driving the segue.

Where would we be without Travis Book Anders Beck, Andy Thorn, Jon Stickley, and Robin Davis? A lofty, yet serious question. Would “the vibe” of Colorado have met the flash of Nashville that would become The Infamous Stringdusters? Would the electric-leaning effects and Dobro-driven melodic jam have taken Greensky Bluegrass to near-arena-size rock? Would Leftover Salmon have found the wild spirit to carry-on to be one of the most influential and consistently vibrant bands of the day? Would acoustic instrumentation have the influences of Jon Stickley and Robin Davis? No one person can direct such a musical compass, but these five musicians have put a stamp on modern times – and it was Broke Mountain that set the ink.   

There are rumors of another album (to follow-up the “Cabin in the Hills” release of 20 years ago, which has been digital remastered and is available on CD and digital). There is a festival in Virginia (Roosterwalk, May 23-26). But beyond this date, what will become of Broke Mountain banding together once again? Each musician, through their respected main gigs, represents some of the most original, well-arranged, and jamming bluegrass today. Both nights of their reunion were a constant flow of awe-inspiring sounds that gave attendees a glimpse of where these fluid interactions of notes and songs originated. I predict that it won’t be another 20 years before the whirlwind of bluegrass music, friends, and family again creates the timeless talent and joy that is Broke Mountain.

The Great Earl Scruggs

by Jake Schepps

NOTE: This article written by Jake Schepps was published on his blog in May, 2023

What we owe to the true lion of bluegrass banjo

The legendary 5-string banjo player Earl Scruggs passed away 11 years ago yesterday. Like other major news events (like 9/11 or the Challenger space shuttle disaster), I clearly remember where I was when I heard this news. And unlike those other events, I burst into tears as the NPR host announced his passing. These tears came as a total surprise — while his influence over my banjo playing is undeniable (I play what is classed Scruggs Style Banjo), I had not given much thought to my direct connection to Earl beyond his enormous impact on 3-finger bluegrass banjo. Yet at that moment, my eyes opened to this man's undeniable influence on my own musical path.

Exhibit A (and what led me to tears) — I heard the news just before I walked into a Bateria Alegria rehearsal in which I played "agogo" (the bell) with a 20-piece Brazilian percussion ensemble. As convoluted as this sounds, my path with the banjo led me to this playing samba cowbell in this obscure music. My discovery and deep love of Brazilian choro music came from a deep dive into acoustic stringband music, which came from studying banjo. And therefore, my circuitous path with music through the lens of the 5-string banjo stemmed from this incredible man's incredible music.

Exhibit B — I did not have the Earl Scruggs epiphany that many banjo players experience — instead, I had that experience seeing the great Béla Fleck at Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 1990. I ran home to Boulder, bought a banjo, and began lessons with the late, great Mark Vann, who, of course, started me with Earl. As I dove deeper into this musical world, I realized Béla's primary banjo influence was Earl Scruggs (along with JD Crowe [one of the best all-time practitioners of Scruggs style banjo] and Tony Trischka [my hero and a lifelong devotee of Earl's music]). All the lessons I took, all the interviews I read, all the banjoists I met around the world, they all pointed to Earl. In fact we all played his tunes trying to emulate his work note for note. Think about that!

As with my previous missive about Phish, I wonder if I add much to the endless beautiful words written and spoken about Earl, but here on this anniversary, I hope to add to the conversation. We miss you, Earl.

Enjoy some of his music here:

Earl Scruggs

With Earl's 100th birthday coming up on January 6, 2024, we enlisted comments from Colorado banjo players

James Armington - Bowregard

Favorite tune: Earl’s Breakdown

Earl Scruggs is my biggest influence. His book was what I started learning from. My Dad loved Earl Scruggs and so did my grandfather. They both learned to play the banjo because of him.

I wouldn't play this instrument if it weren't for Earl Scruggs.

Elijah Donovan – Tonewood

My favorite tune has got to be Shuckin' the Corn. Easy and to the point, any banjo picker worth their salt has a good Shuckin'. Honorable mentions include but are not limited to Earl's break on "Why Don't You Tell Me So" off the original Mercury Recordings, and his final pass through "Farewell Blues" where he hits a nasty succession of backwards rolls over a C7.

And honestly, it wasn't until I was given a copy of Earl Scruggs and the Five String Banjo, along with the vinyl record to go with it, that I really started to understand the banjo. Until then I was lost in the sea of YouTube instructional materials. Since then Earl has remained a standard to live up to. His tone, timing, articulation, note choice, are all unmatched. I constantly find myself going back to him. Finding new licks, backup lines, and above all, inspiration. I've probably ranted about the Martha White TV Show more times than I can count (to more people than are really interested) just because it's a visual of Earl in his prime, and a resource to those looking for that extra element of what the Earl really looked like when he played. An air of calm assurance, and a great joy surrounded him.

Ultimately, to me, Earl Scruggs IS banjo playing. And we're all just paying tribute.

Nick Einterz – Slay

Favorite tune: I'll Never Love Another with Lester and the foggy mtn boys.

I like this one because it swings, and Earl is playing up the neck almost the whole time.

Even if a three-finger-roller never learns a single Scruggs lick, they were almost certainly influenced by Earl. But I am most influenced by his artistic spirit, innovative approach, and collaborative nature. The man was much more a musical visionary than a banjo player in my opinion.

And it took me a while to find my way to Earl, but all of my heroes (JD, Tony T, Bela, etc_ point to Earl as being the lion to listen to and emulate. So yes, he has had a profound influence on my playing.

Danjo Harris – Buffalo Commons

Favorite tune: Cumberland gap (I don’t think  he wrote it but I love his licks on it )

His style of three finger playing with metal picks is so incalculably influential no matter what style of Banjo Someone Plays … this goes even for someone doing claw hammer in a modern style- a lot of the techniques will be emulating licks that he played And even for really progressive players his ingenuity on the instrument is the foundation for everything else that came after

Kane Hollins – Silverplume

My favorite Earl Scruggs tune is Nashville Blues.

I got the Earl Scruggs book in 1974 to find out what went where. As I got this message tonight, I am working through that very book. Earl had the smoothest backwards roll. pure magic.

Laurie Hutton – Weld County Ramblers

Groundspeed is my favorite. 

Yes, I strive to be complimentary in my playing; Earl was great at not stepping on the singer.  His accent licks are so tasty!

Mike Jackson – Program Director for the NSF last seen playing banjo at McMurdo Station in Antarctica

Favorite tune: Definitely earl’s breakdown

Earl spent his later years playing with his kids in the Earl Scruggs review. This move made him unpopular with the bluegrass trads but he didn’t care. He just kept changing and innovating. That has had the greatest influence on my playing.

Jeremy Koch – Big Hooray

Fav tune: Cabin in Caroline. The song has a country swing feel, except for Earl's banjo break which he plays with straight eighths (so every second banjo note feels ahead of the beat). It is a perfect example of drive without rushing.

I came to Earl Scruggs after spending more time studying Jens, Noam, and Bela. But I realized: in order to understand those players, you need to understand Scruggs. After diving into Scruggs, I started to appreciate him so much, particularly how tasteful he was. I listen to him now more than ever -- he was a great "band" musician, but could still surge to the foreground to play something incredibly powerful and attention-grabbing. With perfect timing!

Paul Larson – Pick & Howl

I love Earl! My first dog, when I was in college, I named Earl after Mr. Scruggs. Can’t pick one favorite song but Saro Jane smashed me between the ears when I first heard it. The kickoff is like a punch in the gut. Groundspeed is a classic instrumental that all three finger banjo players should learn.

He definitely influenced my playing and I don’t know any bluegrass banjo player that was not influenced by Earl. For me, the most important part of good tone and timing is the right hand. He plays sweet up the neck and really digs and drives by the bridge. His right hand is the gospel that all bluegrass banjo players had the good fortune of trying to emulate while they develop their own style. He was the best and we are all so lucky to have the music he made as a reference.

Ernie Martinez – IWMA Instrumentalist of the year

My favorite Earl tune is Foggy Mountain Breakdown!

Indeed, I heard Foggy Mountain Breakdown and that’s what did it for me!!

Aaron McCloskey – Woodbelly

Favorite tune: Home sweet home

I learned banjo from Alan Munde and he taught all his students the Scruggs way of playing. I spent years learning the Scruggs rolls and tunes and still revisit them regularly. His playing makes bluegrass music feel right so it’s crucial for any aspiring bluegrass player to learn.

Travis McNamara – Troutsteak Revival

My favorite Scruggs tune is Your Love Is Like A Flower. My banjo teacher showed it to me in a lesson, to study his technique. It’s the song I play almost automatically when I pick up the instrument.

Of course. His timing is the most major influence in me. I can still hear new things in his timing when I listen.

Marte Meyers – Cabin Burners, Kantankerous

Favorite tune:  Fireball Mail

Earl's timing, touch and taste were unmatched in his prime and he single handedly invented the Scruggs style of three finger picking. A huge influence for me

Dave Richardson – Orchard Creek

The first 5-string banjo player that I ever heard was J.D. Crowe in the early 60’s. He was on the radio every night on WWVA broadcasting from nearby Wheeling, WV.  It was only a short while later that I discovered Earl on a vinyl record I purchased called “Foggy Mountain Banjo.” I loved all of the instrumentals. But one particular number that sounded different from the rest was “Reuben.”  I tried and tried to figure out how he played it out of a G position with no luck. About six months later I was fortunate to see Earl and his original group live at Kennywood Park. One of the participants in the outdoor audience was a music instructor who taught banjo. I asked him how to play it, and he told me to retune the banjo and play it like Cripple Creek! Later in the show when the band was on break, I personally asked Earl if he could play Reuben. When the band returned to the stage, it was the first song they played.  Earl influenced my playing in many ways. His timing, drive and back up are the first things that come to mind. The other virtue is the fact that he makes it all look so easy.  He was a real pro. Thank You, Earl. And Happy Birthday!

Dusty Rider

Well, Foggy Mountain Breakdown was the second Earl tune I tried to learn, but that's probably not my favorite.

I've always had a special place in my heart for Foggy Mountain Chimes. It was the full Earl, if you will. It had all the classic string chokes that he was known for, that driving-yet-syncopated three-finger banjo style of his, his trademark Scruggs-tuner string-bending, harmonics, and, of course, the modulation. In the B part of the tune, the original V chord becomes the new I, which wasn't really done in any bluegrass music at that time.  All that plus the classic two-four bluegrass chug provided by the Foggy Mountain Boys.

He absolutely influenced me. It was something I picked up unconsciously at first, but I realized that he had this really syncopated way of playing the banjo--even on the upbeat songs. It added this dynamic to the music that gave it this "bounce," which made it irresistible to listen and dance to. When someone called my attention to the way I was syncopating my notes, I immediately realized it was something I picked up from Earl.

Then, of course, there was the way he played when backing the other players in the band. Sometimes it was adding little licks here and there, other times he simply played forward rolls to keep the drive. He chose his notes carefully and always played right when he needed to. No more and no less.

I suppose you could say that Earl gave me my first lessons on how to play with taste and tact.

Charlie Rose - Elephant Revival

My favorite Earl Scruggs tune is Flint Hill Special. The D tuners are such an interesting and unique sound on the banjo and the tune is so happy and driving! It helped lead me down the path to playing pedal steel. Also I’m from the Flint Hills of Kansas!

Earl influenced my playing as he has any bluegrass banjo player, his vocabulary and rhythmic feel are impossible to escape if you truly want to "Pick the Banjer Solid".

Chris Roszell – Blue Canyon Boys

Favorite tune: Shuckin' the Corn. You'd be hard pressed to find a cooler 24 notes of banjo music than the first C lick in this song.

Playing banjo is like throwing a boomerang - it always comes back to Scruggs.

I came to the banjo from the drums, and the complex rhythms built into Scruggs' right hand is one of the things that caught my interest early on, and continues to amaze and inspire me. Take the "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" roll. On first glance, it's just a string of eight eighth notes. But, if you listen just right - just to the second string -  you hear a really cool syncopated rhythm. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Cool stuff!

Jake Schepps

Favorite tune: Hands down it is "Groundspeed”

And it took me a while to find my way to Earl, but all of my heroes (JD, Tony T, Bela, etc_ point to Earl as being a the lion to listen to and emulate. So yes, he has had a profound influence on my playing.

Jeff Scroggins – Colorado

Groundspeed is my favorite Earl Scruggs tune, and Earl was a huge influence; hearing his playing on the Beverly Hillbillies, Bonnie and Clyde, etc is a lot of what sparked my original interest in playing the banjo.

Mike Silbernagel – The Humminbirds

Very tough choice to name a favorite, but Nashville Blues and Randy Lynn Rag are right up there!

Favorite song Earl banjo break – Probably Polka on a banjo.

I had heard banjos.. folk, (Pete Seeger) some Irish style and Ragtime strum style (at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor) when I was young. When I began listening to bluegrass and Earl Scruggs, it was fireworks! I MUST PLAY THIS STYLE!  I was mainly a guitar player, which all changed when a friend and bandmate at the time loaned his sister’s’ banjo, A Kay. The first banjo book I purchased was 'Earl Scruggs and the 5-string banjo (The Banjo Bible!). Spent years in that book alone! Thanks to Bill Keith and Warren Kennison Jr. for creating such a historic and important learning resource. I still own the book (in many pieces)

Kevin Slick - Orchard Creek Band and previous CBMS President

Favorite song: Blue Ridge Cabin Home from the Foggy Mountain Jamboree album, the kick off is classic Earl, the melody is stated clearly, the picking is precise. His backup during the vocals is stellar as well, perhaps even better than kick off and solos, listen to his fills on the chorus, they really pop. 

Influence: Play the melody! Play like a vocalist - Earl would slide into notes like a singer would, his breaks sing the melody. The excitement came from sustained powerful playing, not overly flashy licks.  Here’s a photo of my first in person Earl experience in 1967:

Pete Wernick — Dr. Banjo - Hot Rize
My favorite Earl tunes are "Shuckin' the Corn", and "Foggy Mt. Special". They sound so good on the 50s recordings, and it was "Shuckin'" that was myfirst taste of Earl, when I was maybe 13 years old. It lit up my ears and still does any time I hear it. His execution is beyond great -- the tone, the drive,the incredible content, and the daring it took to play some really tricky stuff in there when blowing it would have messed up the recording in those daysof no "fixing" anything on a recording! And F.M. Special is another masterpiece, such beautiful finesse in playing those signature licks.

Re his influence.... If it weren't for Earl, I doubt I'd have even tried to play 3-finger style, but with his inspiration (I saw him in person in early '61 when I was not yet 15), I struggled to copy what I heard him do on records, until it finally started to come. My career as a banjoist would not have happened were it not for him. Once Hot Rize was making regular trips to Nashville, I became acquainted with him, and visited him and Louise many times. I treasured their friendship, and they were so nice to me. Getting to know Earl was one of the highlights of my life.

Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose – Lil Smokies

It's pretty dang hard to top Home Sweet Home as a banjo tune. It is heartwarming but keeps the drive.

I think Earl is such a huge early influence on the instrument that everybody who plays 3 finger is influenced by him in some regard. Whether they know it or not! I am especially inspired by his phrasing. When he kicks off a song you can practically hear the lyrics come rising above the perpetual rolls.

Michael Zwiebel – Crooked Cannon

Favorite tune?  Today I'll say Farewell Blues and his  backup to Doin My Time.  Tomorrow my answer might be different.

Did Earl influence my playing?  Don't get me started.  The licks Earl invented are now so fundamental to the banjo that we consider them "simple" and forget how revolutionary his playing was.  Even in the most advanced players today, it's still the Scruggs’ licks that give the banjo its drive.  I've heard some players say they play a more "modern" style and don't know Scruggs.  That's bullshit.  If you don't play Scruggs, you don't play banjo.

This month for our “Power Pickin’ from the Past” image we have the 6th annual Rocky Mountain Bluegrass festival poster from 1978!

Contributors to this month’s newsletter:

  • John Pierce — President, CBMS

  • Laurie Hutton — Festival Connoisseur

  • David Smith - Long time member of the bluegrass scene and contributor to CBMS

  • Jake Schepps — Banjo player / instructor and knower of all-things-banjo

  • Special thanks to all of the Colorado banjo players for giving us their quotes on Earl Scruggs