What Earl Scruggs Heard

String Music Along the North Carolina-South Carolina Border

By Bob Carlin | Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

About the book

When the story of banjo superstar Earl Scruggs is told, the rich musical environment that produced him is often ignored. During his lifetime Scruggs spun a creation myth around his playing, convincing many that he was the sole originator of a three-finger, up-picking, banjo style. For the first time, this book tells the full story of the music and musicians of the western Carolinas that influenced Earl Scruggs. Based on more than 15 years of in-depth research, this book includes the story of country music recording pioneers Parker and Woolbright, Fisher Hendley and Martin Melody Boys; rare images of area music makers; and the history and development of fiddlers' conventions and radio barn dances. Together, these stories are woven into the biographies of Earl's mentors to reveal the musical atmosphere in which they developed the \"three-finger picking\" style that so enchanted a young Earl Scruggs.

Editions of What Earl Scruggs Heard

Paperback
ISBN 9781476686677
PDF
ISBN 9781476644240

Read an Excerpt

When the story of banjo superstar Earl Scruggs is told, the rich musical environment that produced him is often ignored. During his lifetime Scruggs spun a creation myth around his playing, convincing many that he was the sole originator of a three-finger, up-picking, banjo style. For the first time, this book tells the full story of the music and musicians of the western Carolinas that influenced Earl Scruggs. Based on more than 15 years of in-depth research, this book includes the story of country music recording pioneers Parker and Woolbright, Fisher Hendley and Martin Melody Boys; rare images of area music makers; and the history and development of fiddlers' conventions and radio barn dances. Together, these stories are woven into the biographies of Earl's mentors to reveal the musical atmosphere in which they developed the \"three-finger picking\" style that so enchanted a young Earl Scruggs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is What Earl Scruggs Heard about?

When the story of banjo superstar Earl Scruggs is told, the rich musical environment that produced him is often ignored. During his lifetime Scruggs spun a creation myth around his playing, convincing many that he was the sole originator of a three-finger, up-picking, banjo style. For the first time, this book tells the full story of the music and musicians of the western Carolinas that influenced Earl Scruggs. Based on more than 15 years of in-depth research, this book includes the story of country music recording pioneers Parker and Woolbright, Fisher Hendley and Martin Melody Boys; rare images of area music makers; and the history and development of fiddlers' conventions and radio barn dances. Together, these stories are woven into the biographies of Earl's mentors to reveal the musical atmosphere in which they developed the \"three-finger picking\" style that so enchanted a young Earl Scruggs.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in What Earl Scruggs Heard?

The Arts > Music > Music: styles and genres > Traditional and folk music

Where can I read a sample of What Earl Scruggs Heard?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781476686677

How long is What Earl Scruggs Heard and how many pages does it have?

What Earl Scruggs Heard has 212 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book What Earl Scruggs Heard?

Bob Carlin

Who is the Publisher of the book What Earl Scruggs Heard?

McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

What Earl Scruggs Heard is available as paperback(ISBN 9781476686677) and pdf(ISBN 9781476644240)

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Where can I buy What Earl Scruggs Heard?