- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEarl Eugene Scruggs
- Earl Scruggs was born on January 6, 1924 in near Shelby, North Carolina, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The Love Guru (2008) and Penguins of Madagascar (2014). He was married to Louise Scruggs. He died on March 28, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
- SpouseLouise Scruggs(April 18, 1948 - February 2, 2006) (her death, 3 children)
- Earl invented what was to become known as "Scruggs tuners" allowing a quick dropping of the two middle strings from standard to "D" tuning. Originally, they were an extra pair of tuning pegs with cams pushing against the strings with adjustable set screws. This required drilling two extra holes in the peg head. Working with fellow banjo player Bill Kieth they were refined to geared units that simply replaced the two middle tuning pegs. Earl sometimes raised and lowered the strings as he picked them most notably in "Flint Hill Special" and "Earl's Breakdown".
- His wife, Louise Scruggs, who guided her husband's career for more than a half century, was the first female to become an artist booking agent in Nashville.
- Had two sons with Louise Scruggs: Gary Scruggs and Randy Scruggs. They also had a third son, Steve, who killed his wife, Elizabeth, with a pistol, then himself on September 23, 1992. He was their youngest child.
- With Lester Flatt, member of the Foggy Mountain Boys, 1948-1969.
- After the breakup of Flatt & Scruggs, Earl formed the "Earl Scruggs Revue" with his sons: Gary Scruggs and Randy Scruggs. Later, they were joined by Steve.
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