Flatt And Scruggs

Lester's full name was Lester Raymond Flatt, he was born in Tennessee on June 19, 1914 to Isaac Flatt and Nannie Haney.

Lester was the lead singer and guitar player for Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and later for the Foggy Mountain Boys. Lester, being there in these ground setting bluegrass bands, has had a tremedous affect on the growth and evolution of bluegrass.

One of Flatt's biggest contributions to bluegrass music were the songs he wrote. If you have heard much bluegrass music then you have probably heard performances of songs written by Lester Flatt.

The world lost a great performer when Flatt left us on May 11, 1979. Lester Flatt experienced heart failure after a long battle with bad health.

Earl's full name was Earl Eugene Scruggs, he was born on January 6, 1924 in Shelby, North Carolina to George and Georgia Scruggs.

Earl joined Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys in 1945 and almost over night he was "on a roll". The exposure he received and his experiences touring with Bill Monroe jump started the career of a man who was already headed for fame.

Scruggs is truly legendary as a banjo player and was a major influence on bluegrass banjo with his own unique three finger style of picking now commonly referred to as the Scruggs style. This three finger method was integral in the way bluegrass banjo was to sound. Many banjo pickers including the likes of Del McCoury and J.D. Crowe were inspired by Scruggs and even learned to play the banjo by listening to him on records, radio and live performances.

Awards And Memberships Shared By Flatt And Scruggs

1955 Grand Ole Opry Membership

1969 Grammy Award for Foggy Mountain Breakdown

1985 Country Music Hall of Fame

Additional Awards And Memberships For Earl Scruggs

1989 National Heritage Fellowship

1991 International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor

2002 Grammy Award (The second one for Foggy Mountain Breakdown)

2003 A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2008 Lifetime Achievement Award