Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys
The above photo is from about 1946!! From left to
right are:
Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
The above photo is from about 1946!! From left to
right are:
Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
Lester Flatt, from near Sparta, Tennessee, and Earl Scruggs, from Flint Hill, North Carolina, had no idea that they were destined to greatness in the newly dubbed "Bluegrass" Style of music.
Lester had been singing tenor and playing mandolin with Bill's brother, Charlie. Lester joined the Bluegrass Boy's around April of 1945.
He was 33 years old. His signature guitar runs, distinctive voice and talents as a songwriter
Earl had been playing with Lost John Miller's Allied Kentuckians whenhe suddenly found himself out of a job. In the fall of 1945 he auditioned with "Sally Goodin" and "Dear old Dixie," displaying a dazzling three finger style of picking which would come to be known as "Scruggs Style Pickin." He was 22 years old. Monroe, who showed no emotion, asked Lester what he thought. "Get him whatever the cost," replied Lester.
Lester and Earl recorded 28 songs with Bill Monroe in four recording sessions. The first was on September 16, 1946, the last October 28, 1947.
If you would like to hear part of their first recording entitled " Heavy Traffic Ahead,"
This was also the first recording with Lester and Earl
playing together. (If I am incorrect, please let me know!!)
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