Flatt and Scruggs were an American bluegrass duo. Singer and guitarist Lester Flatt and banjo player Earl Scruggs, both of whom had been members of

Bill Monroe William Smith "Bill" Monroe (; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the " Father of Bluegrass". The genre take ...

's band, the Bluegrass Boys, from 1945 to 1948, formed the duo in 1948. Flatt and Scruggs are viewed by music historians as one of the premier bluegrass groups in the history of the genre.Rosenberg, Neil V. (1998)
"Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys"
''The Encyclopedia of Country Music'', Oxford University Press, pp. 173-4 Flatt and Scruggs recorded and performed together until 1969. Their backing band, the Foggy Mountain Boys, included fiddle player Paul Warren, a master player in both the old-time and bluegrass fiddling styles whose technique reflected all qualitative aspects of "the bluegrass breakdown" and fast bowing style; dobro player Uncle Josh Graves, an innovator of the advanced playing style of the instrument now used in the genre; stand-up bass player Cousin Jake Tullock; and mandolinist Curly Seckler.

Biography

Lester Flatt worked for Monroe at the time Earl Scruggs was considered for

's band, the

Blue Grass Boys William Smith "Bill" Monroe (; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the " Father of Bluegrass". The genre take ...

, in 1945. The two left that band early in 1948, and within a few months had formed the Foggy Mountain Boys. Flatt's rhythm-guitar style and vocals and Scruggs' banjo style gave them a distinctive sound that won them many fans. In 1955, they became members of the Grand Ole Opry.Browne, Ray B. and Browne, Pat
"Flatt and Scruggs"
''The Guide to United States Popular Culture'', Popular Press, 2001, p. 284 Many of the songs on their albums are credited to "Certain and Stacey". These songs were in fact written by Flatt, Scruggs, and various other members of the Foggy Mountain Boys. Certain and Stacey are the maiden names of the wives of Flatt and Scruggs (Louise Certain, wife of Earl Scruggs, and Gladys Stacey, wife of Lester Flatt). Scruggs, who had always shown progressive tendencies, experimented on duets with saxophonist

King Curtis Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery; February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), known professionally as King Curtis, was an American saxophonist who played rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll. A bandleader, band member, and session musician ...

and added songs by the likes of

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

to the group's repertoire. Flatt, a traditionalist, did not like these changes, and the group broke up in 1969. Following the breakup, Lester Flatt founded the Nashville Grass and Scruggs led the Earl Scruggs Revue. Flatt died in 1979, at the age of 64. Flatt and Scruggs were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2003, they ranked No. 24 on CMT's ''40 Greatest Men of Country Music'', one of only four non-solo artists to make the list (The Eagles,

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...

, and

Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn are an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were so ...

are the others). Scruggs died from natural causes on March 28, 2012 in a Nashville hospital.

Members

* Lester Flatt (guitar) * Earl Scruggs ( banjo, guitar) * Paul Warren ( fiddle) * John Ray "Curly" Seckler ( mandolin, guitar) * Josh Graves ( Dobro, bass) * English P. “Cousin Jake” Tullock (bass) *

Chubby Wise Robert Russell "Chubby" Wise (October 2, 1915 – January 6, 1996) was an American bluegrass fiddler. Originally starting out playing the banjo and guitar, Wise began playing fiddle at age 12, working locally in the Jacksonville area. He joined ...

(fiddle) * Jim Shumate (fiddle) * Benny Martin (fiddle) * Benny Sims (fiddle) *

Howdy Forrester Howdy Forrester (March 31, 1922 – August 1, 1987), born Howard Wilson Forrester, was an American bluegrass fiddler and a popularizer and practiser of the "Texas" or "show fiddle" style.Carlin 2003, p. 141. He was a long-time member of Roy ...

(fiddle) * Art Wooten (fiddle) * Howard Watts aka "Cedric Rainwater" (bass) * Charles Johnson aka "Little Jody Rainwater" (bass) * Frank "Hylo" Brown (bass, guitar) * Charles “Little Darlin’” Elza (bass) * Joe Stuart (bass) * Ernie Newton (bass) * Bob Moore (bass) * Everett Lilly (mandolin) * Jim Eanes (guitar) * Mac Wiseman (guitar) * Billy E. Powers (guitar) * Johnny Johnson (guitar) * Earl Taylor (mandolin and harmonica) * Grover C. Deskins Jr. (harmonica)

Notable songs

* " Foggy Mountain Breakdown": an instrumental originally released in 1949 and used in many

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car chase

movie A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

sequences, notably in '' Bonnie and Clyde''. It has won two Grammy awards. * "

The Ballad of Jed Clampett "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" is the theme song for the television series ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' and the later movie of that name, providing the introductory story for the series. The song was composed by Paul Henning, and recorded first by ...

" ( /upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c4/Ballad_of_Jed_Clampett.ogg listen: used as the theme for the '' Beverly Hillbillies''

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

. The song reached No. 42 on the record charts during the series' debut season of 1962. The song hit No. 1 on the country charts in January 1963, and was the only number-one hit song of their career. The song is one of only five TV theme songs to ever reach No. 1 on the country charts. *

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jingle (still used in advertising today). * "

Petticoat Junction ''Petticoat Junction'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 1963 to April 1970. The series takes place at the Shady Rest Hotel, which is run by Kate Bradley; her three daughters Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and ...

": theme from the TV series.

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flatt and Scruggs 1948 establishments in the United States 1969 disestablishments in the United States American bluegrass music groups American country music groups Grammy Award winners Musical groups established in 1948 Musical groups disestablished in 1969 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees