I just learned that Earl Scruggs passed away yesterday. Without a doubt, Scruggs was one of the most influential musicians in American music history.
Like so many others, I first heard him playing The Beverly Hillbillies theme 49 years ago in 1962.
(By the way - Miss Ellie Mae Clampett rode a Triumph in one episode)
After hearing that magic of syncopation Scruggs was laying down,
I would want to believe a few hundred thousand of us wished we could play a banjo like that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ8_rKhE ... re=related