Another Legend Passes On

[tripleo]

news-briefs.ew.com/2012/03/29/earl-scruggs-dies-bluegrass/

Whether you like the genre or not, I don't think the influence of Scruggs can be overstated.

I was friends with a couple that lived up in Otis, Colorado. John built banjos as a hobby and his wife, Lorrine, did all of the fancy inlay work on the things - Big John's Banjo Works (does yours?) was how his card read. We drove up to Boulder one evening because we knew Scruggs was putting on a small concert with his sons (they attended CU) and some friends. He happened to be playing one of John's banjos. After the concert we got to talking with him and he, his wife, one son, John, Lorrine and I went out to dinner together and had a fun time together for several hours. He was a real down-to-earth helluva nice guy. Very quiet and unassuming person, especially considering the impact he had on the music world.

[tankcommander]

Too bad, probably the best banjo player ever.

I've got 3 or 4 of his songs in my music library.

Millions listened to him play every week.

[101ABN]

Absolutely one of the worlds greatest pickers.

He and Lester are teamed up again for a Hilbilly Heaven reunion gig.

[Gary Graves]

I hung out at John's shop in Wray, CO in 1969. John Holcomb was the luthier behind Big John's Banjo Works, Does Yours? He turned all his own rims and had this shop built multibladed power saw that did all the fret slots at once on a fingerboard.

I visited John and Lorraine at their home in Otis a number of times and Lorraine taught me her version of Foggy Mountain Breakdown. I still have that TAB around here somewhere. I still lust after one of his tractor seat musician stools..... Dunno what happened to him.