Earl Scruggs Made This Feature Doc With Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, Bill Monroe. A Joy To Watch
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Directing and filming this documentary was one of the great moments of my life. PBS was looking for filmmakers to make films on country music, bluegrass music, mountain music. I had made several films on that subject including my classic, bluegrass roots, circa 1965 - • My Classic Bluegrass/M... .
Due to the creative efforts of my partner at that time, we got the chance to be with Earl Scruggs and his family including his musical sons Randy and Gary, as he was on a mission in the early 1970s to find connections between his music and the banjo and other forms of popular music. He contacted great artists like Bob Dylan, Doc Watson (one of his closest and oldest friends) Bill Monroe whose band he had once played in, Roger McGuinn of The Birds, Charlie Daniels, Joan Baez and others and others and asked them if he could come and play his banjo on some of the greatest tunes. Of course all said yes.
This film presents the results. It ran on prime time television and has had many viewings at colleges around the country.
Earl Scruggs, the renowned banjo player and bluegrass pioneer, began exploring collaborations with musicians from other genres in the late 1960s and early 1970s, primarily to broaden his musical horizons and reach new audiences. His interest in working with artists like The Byrds, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez came from a desire to experiment with different musical styles and find common ground between bluegrass and contemporary popular music. This was a bold move for Scruggs, who was known for his traditional bluegrass roots.
The result of Scruggs' quest to collaborate with these artists was my 90 minute primetime television documentary "Earl Scruggs: His Family and Friends," which aired in 1972. It showcased Earl Scruggs playing banjo with well-known musicians such as The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Doc Watson and others.
These collaborations were significant for several reasons:
They introduced Earl Scruggs to new audiences who might not have been familiar with his work in bluegrass, increasing his popularity and expanding his fan base.
They demonstrated the potential for cross-genre collaborations, proving that musicians from different backgrounds and styles could come together to create unique and exciting music.
The collaborations helped to bridge the gap between traditional roots music and the contemporary sounds of the era, further blurring the lines between genres and showing that music could be a unifying force.
They inspired future generations of musicians to explore collaborations outside their respective genres, paving the way for countless cross-genre collaborations in the years to come.
It is important for me to say in this commentary what an extraordinarily wonderful, kind, excepting man Earl Scruggs was. He treated me kindly when times were tough and I was finding environments where it was not too friendly to be a 16mm documentary filmmaker. He was deeply loved and respected for his bravery in coming out against the Vietnam War at a time when almost every country artist who played and sang at the Grand Ole Opry stood up in favor of the war.
Although they have passed on now I would like to take the opportunity to thank Earl Scruggs and his family, his wife Louise, his sons Randy and Gary, and his son Stevie who I only knew was a little boy playing guitar in the background.
I would like to acknowledge the advertisers who by placing their ads on this video, help support my effort continue to present clips from my films to my subscribers and others. They include The Bob Dylan Center and the Halcyon Gallery Bob Dylan.
David Hoffman Filmmaker
If you liked watching my Earl Scruggs documentary, you will love watching Bluegrass Roots - the 1965 documentary I made in the mountains of Appalachia -
ruclips.net/video/kgHgLgR9WNc/видео.html
Beautiful, fantastic.
✌♥️🇬🇧
This is awesome. I think some of this was recently released on the album 1970.
I recognise the first song from this guy, Nick Shoulders ...don't know if you've heard of him but he's another one well worth checking out
ruclips.net/video/OlneqC0mVsk/видео.html
David Hoffman..What more can I say? You are "Iconic"!
I’ve got my father’s 30s 5 string banjo
Grew up with all types of music
Earl seemed like he was a very kind and thoughtful man.
He was that in spades.
David Hoffman filmmaker
I thought the exact same thing.
The scene with Joan Baez I found to be quite touching, it was so genuine and intimate taking place there in her living room with the dog on the floor and the baby in her lap. The look on her face as she watched Earl's talented son Randy play guitar. It was really something quite special.
THis shoud be in the library of congress . Its definite historical . I was raised around country music and folks like them here . listen to the wonderful music it takes me back home . God i wish i coud see the old folks again .
Randy Scruggs is not to be overlooked here. What a great talent!
Absolutely incredible he was.
Thanks, David Hoffman, for this amazing American snapshot. Wow!
This whole thing is incredible, but the footage of the Morris brothers is especially cool. Just two guys who took a break from fixing cars to play with the great Earl Scruggs. So talented and yet humble.
My favorite part of the movie as well. I've never heard Old Smokey sung that soulfully....for a song we learned as kids way back in the day, hearing this version brought a whole new life to what I've always thought of as a "kids song". Outstanding !!!
Are you kidding me? This footage is priceless. Ol’ Earl come back home! Best Blugrass banjo player that ever was, or ever will be. And a good man, too. Thank you so much for the footage.
The more I learn about Mr Scruggs I realize he was a much better person than banjo player, and that's saying something. Wish people today could slow down a bit and appreciate life some. All the best, thank you for sharing
@@ShineDawg Wanna hear something weird? My family moved to Boiling Springs from Rhode Island. I lived and went to high school within five miles of his birthplace but nobody ever told me about him or why that place was important for music. Lots of people were crazy for bluegrass but I never thought of it as a special local thing. Weird, huh? I only learned it in my thirties!
I’ve had the dvd of this for years and frequently rewatch it. It’s fabulous.
I "absolutely" LOVE this Video. Mr. David Hoffman, I Congratulate you for making it. I have LOVED Earl's Music since I was a small boy and watching him on the Flatt & Scrugg's "Martha White Show."
QUESTION:: Who was the Lady playing the guitar beside Earl on "Home Sweet Home?"
@@katperson7332yes,also have that for years
Wow! Just watching that first song with Bob smiling at Earl. They completely embody the American spirit in song and musicianship and are National Treasures. Bob’s knowledge of music history and songs is amazing. This is an incredible piece of history right here. If it’s not in the Library of Congress it definitely should be. Thank you for this in all regards Mr. Hoffman!
Thank you John for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker
Do you recal if Dylan said any words to you directly or anything he might have said while you were in the process of filming?
At least 53 years being a Earl Scruggs fan. Now at 63 yrs old, today I learned more about Earl than I ever knew. Exellent documentary.
Couldn’t agree more! This is an American Gem!
Great video The crazy thing is when I look out the window I see thr same background. Very pure & orginal.
David, What a visionary you were back then to document all this wonderful music. Thanks for your contribution of American history on film.
Hear hear!
@@kimberlypatton9634 n9u
Europe.7
Earl just had that charm about him.
Was it all filmed in 1969 like with Dylan, what month, can you remember? You sent Dylan a letter to come to Scruggs house to start filming banjo documentary?
Doing an internship for a bluesgrass festival and each band has mentioned Earl Scruggs so I had to come here and this is amazing.
I live about 10 miles away from where this was filmed at his home. It's wild how much history can happen even in your own back yard. Much love and respect to Mr. Scruggs. He was a true hero.
I'd be interested to know if the area has changed much
@@redwolf7929 as in landscape or the people?
I've known On Top of Old Smokey all my life and have never heard such a beautiful version. Thanks again for such wonderful history.
Thank you for saying so Ray.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Beautiful
Do you have a timestamp?
The first song I heard and loved around 1962 when I was three years old, on top of Ole smokey all covered with snow, my father told me it was about a dog that jumped over a snowbank and got killed by a car and it was so sad to me and it's a memory that has stuck with me my entire life, Earl Sruggs has always been one of my favorite Americans, So humble and kind as well as the best banjo picker in the world, I used to fantasize that I could pick a banjo as Earl Scruggs could but I knew I was not one of God's chosen one's to show the world how it's done, folks like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Earl Scruggs😊❤
Me too but Our version was adapted for public school life and included hand grenades at a funeral.. XP
Scruggs was a total legend, but here's a shout out for Doc Watson also; what a fantastic guitar player he was! Just brilliant. Loved that spontaneous version of "John Hardy" they did there.
Said it before, but I think the bluegrass stuff is the best footage in your entire archive! Just brilliant stuff!
Doc has more talent he played guitar and could clawhammer the banjo
Doc > Scruggs
@@darcyperkins7041 Ditto!
saw Doc twice at The Exit Inn in Nashville; that is a very intimate venue so it was up close and personal. Merle was still living and the two of them were just wonderful.
Legends by Right and Might. Doc could make a bajo drum beg to be put back on a cat.
Not then, not now, not ever will a better banjo player than Earl Scruggs walk on this planet
This is how i grew up, i was raised by my grandparents and tbey both played musical instruments, with only a few exceptions, my entire family played music. So whenever we went to visit, or attend weddings, funerals, or any particular occasion, like harvest time, slaughter time etc, at some point the instruments would be brought out, and the music would ring out in the hollers till late in the evening. Being from the Appalachian mountains of northeast Tennessee we were quite familiar with Doc and Merle, Earl and his boys, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, and many others, we frequently went to the Carter Fold and festivals around the area like Slagles Pasture and Moccasin Gap. Where i met people like Johnny and June Cash, Vasser Clements and more that were bigger than life to me, but were actually as down to earth and humble as anyone ive ever known. It was the music that brought us all together and put all in the most gracious and warm setting of humanity that took us all to a higher level of interaction that had no room for celebrity or fame or notoriety, it put everyone on the same level, and those people taught me to share my gift of music, to not be shy or afraid because i was just learning to play in those days. If we could convince the population of the world to engage in including music in all endeavors, i truly believe it would produce miracles in the interest of Peace amoung Mankind.
These nostalgic films/videos from this era show how much more, in general, the average people, young and old, respectful and interested and informed that they were and you can tell they all were proud of their country. It's such a joy to see these. I was just growing up as a boy then, in Canada, but I definitely remember exactly how it was. With all the different mayhem and turmoil that was going on, it was also very much a beautiful time. All people belonged together and they knew it. The musicality of the Scruggs and all the others is just great.
Mr. Hoffman: what a treasure of a parcel of a time you left us with. Thank you a million times!
The Good Lord gave us our Great memories of our kinfolk and the music that left for all of us to love and keep forever 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕! D.A.M. 1313 N.Y. !
Mr. Hoffman - Thank you so much for capturing this then and allowing us to enjoy it now. And thank you for treating this music, and the people who make it, with such respect.
I always loved this particular video because at around 28 minutes you see the hippies coming and playing with the mountain people. And there’s just such respect between the two different groups of individuals. That’s Clarence White, of course, and Roger McGuinn from the Byrds , singing Ride Me High by Dylan. Great vibes great music great people. I sure do miss those times…
Randys guitar playing is simply amazing, RIP.
You can really hear her the tone wood and I sounds beautiful
I saw him live back in the 70s or maybe 80s. Amazing doesn't cover it. Electric guitar sounds from an acoustic. And FAST...
What a player, amazing flat picker for such a young age, and great rhythm player too which is something nobody ever seems to pay any attention to
Randy's gone? 😢🥀RIP...
What a musician!
I remember going to bluegrass festivals in Virginia and North Carolina during this time, and saw Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, June Carter Cash and David Grisman. Great music!
Lucky dawg!!Man,I'm jealous lol
Lucky! So Cool !😉🤙
I'm envious!!!
God,Earl Scruggs was such a gentleman and inspired so many to play banjo,rest in peace Sir.
I love how on the second song EVEN BOB DYLAN doesnt know how to fall in at 1st. Amazing musicianship.
I'm sure going to miss Randy Sruggs, along with Earl, Doc, Merle and all the others in this video who have passed on. Rest in peace all and thank you for what you have given us.
Correction, that's Scruggs , no disrespect, just can't type.
To see Bob Dylan pay homage to Earl Scruggs sheds a new light on him in my eyes. I admit I was short sighted enough to realize that true musicians can cross over that invisible bridge between genres to learn from and appreciate a fellow musician's style of music.
Bob Dylan has done music with so many of the great Counrty musicians even Johnny Cash! (Girl from the north country)
Bob has been passionate about all traditional American music forms for over 60 years.
Flatt & Scruggs recorded Dylan’s “Crash on the Levee.”
and Earl was keen to play Bob's excellent instrumental "Nashville Skyline"
i adore how lovingly Earl looks at Doc. Pure respect. just wonderful.
How wonderful. We are indebted to you sir for capturing these remarkable moments for posterity. That Earl Scruggs so successful embraced younger musicians is simply a testament to his genius. He was teaching the old ways to young hearts. He was a master. He was willing to grow and open the future to new sounds. Seeing Earl and Randy play Salty Dog with the Morris brothers is like literally stepping back in time.
priceless
Mr Hoffman, much respect to you, and joy you bring to me. Thankyou.
Ps after listening to this I've taken a bit of a fancy to Earl Scruggs 😅
It feels like im the worlds biggest doc fan,but Randy? Why is he not more talked about. He was such an incredible picker.
Thanks so much for everything you upload.
”I dont know if Randy can play guitar to cripple creek but i can.
-I can try”
Randy was spectacular as a picker.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Earl Scruggs and this film are national treasures with new meaning and importance in this era of severe national polarization. Disparate people from disparate regions and backgrounds, coming together with mutual respect, kindness and curiosity, even while not precisely sharing the same values. A glowing example that we all have more in common than separates us, if we just had the courage to come together, empathize and listen more than we shout. Working hard to find middle ground is what made America great in the first place. When I hear MAGA moving forward, I’ll always think of the example Earl and this this film exude.
well, MAGA sure as hell ain't doin anything to unite us
Don't let the greatness of Earls Bajo work distract you from the fact that Doc could make a banjo drum beg to be put back on the cat.
And Doc would play the banjo in standard guitar tuning
For those who want a full soundtrack for this movie, i put together my own playlist with all these songs in order of appearance (very relaxing to listen to), many of these songs are featured in “Earl Scruggs, his family and friends” record but not all:
- East Virginia Blues, Bob Dylan featuring Earl Scruggs
- Nashville Skyline Rag, Flatt, Scruggs and the foggy mountain boys
- John Hardy, various versions available
- Cripple creek, Flatt and Scruggs
- Salty dog blues, the Morris brothers
- Flint hill special, Flatt and Scruggs
- On top of old Smokey (old folk song)
- Home sweet home, Flatt and Scruggs
- Cripple creek, Flatt and Scruggs (again)
- Nothin’ to it, multiple versions, studio recording available by the byrds and Earl Scruggs revue
- You ain’t goin’ nowhere, the byrds and Earl Scruggs revue
- Foggy mountain breakdown, Earl Scruggs revue
- With a little help from my friends (cannot find a published version besides the Beatles’ version which is markedly different. Going off Randy’s words. Possibly a track/cover that was not published with the “I saw the light with a little help from my friends” album)
- Earl Scruggs demonstration featuring elements from Cumberland Gap by Flatt and Scruggs
- Black mountain rag, Randy Scruggs
- Nashville skyline rag, Flatt, Scruggs and the foggy mountain boys (again)
- Train 45, Bill Monroe and his bluegrass boys, immediately transitioning into a few lines from:
- Little Maggie by Bill Monroe and his bluegrass boys, then transitioning immediately into:
- Nine pound hammer, Bill Monroe and his bluegrass boys
- Nine pound hammer (again, very different cadence to the dressing room session just before)
- “Lonesome Reuben” from “Reuben” by Flatt and Scruggs
- My home’s across the blue ridge mountains by the carter family
- Love is just a four letter word, by Bob Dylan and sung by Joan Baez
- It ain’t me, babe by Bob Dylan
- I dreamed I saw saint augustine, Bob Dylan
- If I were a carpenter by Tim Hardin
- Credits song is hard to pin down. If anyone knows let me know!
Wow! *Impressive list.*
_Thank you!_
I'm working on the title for the credits song, and it sounds familiar. I'd suggest contacting Freddy Jenkins, host of Back Porch Music, at WUNC, in Chapel Hill, N.C. He does weekend shows, and knows almost all the classics, and old time music and blues, as well modern genres of bluegrass music and folk music. Email him this last song when credits roll, with timestamp, and/or call in on a Friday or Saturday night between sets while he is in-between breaks.
Folsom Prison
Earl Scruggs is the King. I grew up watching him and Lester on the Beverly Hillbillies. I live in NC 15 miles from where Charley Daniels grew up and his music has resonated with me since I was a teenager. Uneasy Rider is one of my all time favorite songs. Earl was a patriot and a great American and he wanted our boys to just come home. There was no reason for us to be in Vietnam and speaking out on the war was in no way anti American it was just speaking out for the Patriots sacrificing their lives so the military industrial complex could make their bank. He took a lot of undo flack for speaking up. Thank you David for preserving all of the history you have. You are just as important as the boys in uniform that lost their lives. The country owes you a debt that can never be repaid as well.
No matter what kind of music you like, you have to appreciate this music mastery. Joan Baez is as sweet as cherry-plum pie at the end.
Every bit of this footage is a total masterpiece, it's almost unbelievable, I'm so lucky and appreciative to be able to watch this, Thanks again David
Thank you Jim
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Oh you're welcome David! I'm still watching this one, and it's just so powerful & meaningful to me, that it brings a tear to my eye, sooo darn great :)👍
I saw the earl scruggs review in 1980 at the palo alto country bluegrass festival. I felt lucky to have been there and see this stuff live when I was 18 years old because my dad had been playing bluegrass records since I was 10 years old
Doc & Earl are playing in Heaven's choir now.
ya `int just whistling Dixie there boy
These “old” songs will be played forever because they make you tap your feet and clap your hands❤️. Cleveland County is now in my repertoire and will be in my boys too👍
You can not get more beautiful than this!
That Banjo brings all my southern ancestors up swelling in my Georgia, TN , S.Carolina heart!
So funny to hear Joan Baez do her Bob Dylan impression at 1:05:28
This entire recording is pure genius. It should be in the USA recording library of culturally significant events.
Authentic American folk music. Be proud of it.
So many GREAT moments in this! Earl with his sons and extended familial folks.
Earl with Doc and Merle Watson.
Earl, his sons and Joan Baez playing at Joan’s mountain house... THEN to hear Joan affecting Bob Dylan.
Fantastic piece of work!
@18:40 when he started singing I almost fell out my chair! Thank you for the music fellas and thank you for realizing that this needed filming! 👍
Earl Scruggs and Family are legend!!
Hello from Canada!!!!
So many feelings watching this film. Earl is so simple, peaceful, and loving. God knows we need more of all of that.
I didn't plan on spending my morning like this. However, when I ran across it and clicked on it, I couldn't stop watching. As I said earlier, it's Great! All the way through.Thanks for posting.
Thank you for saying so, Sharon.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Ever since I’ve heard bluegrass it’s been one of my favorite genres. It’s just so relaxing and it’s pure music. It doesn’t involve all the fancy sounds or overpowering of one instrument, u get to hear all of them and they all do a great job at it. That’s why the band is one of my favorite bands because they played pure music not with everything thrown in it like most modern day musicians do. Thanks for uploading this, I just found out about it so I hope it stays around forever
These videos are valuable for the simple reason that people nowadays need to know that the brand name we now know as country music came from authentic people.
Reckon i just plain old up and admit it; I am in love with Scruggs..beautiful man!
My special thanks go out to John Charles White from Wyee NSW, who opened my eyes; God bless you john!
This is the best music documentary that I’ve ever seen…Priceless!!
Thank you David for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Mr. Hoffman, hopefully all of your excellent documentary film will end up in the library of congress, or at the Smithsonian Institute to be preserved for future generations to see how culturally phenomenal these times and people really were! Incredible work sir!
Thank you again Mr. Hoffman. I grew up in Spartanburg county myself years ago and this puts me way back in a time where I didn't have to put much effort into enjoying life. It was just pure and natural like the times you encapsulated here.
What an amazing capture of a place and its people in a passed time. Yes I mean passed. Can't get back to it. Sadly.
Thank you David for all your terrific content. Im a disabled veteran who wishes she could support you financially Praying for my country it’s going down the 🚽
Greatest show on earth !
Thanks for sharing this little bit of American music history! . . .as I write this in my home in Boone, about 7 miles from Doc's ole home place.
This is great music..come to mountain view Arkansas and you can still hear it just like this every weekend year round.
Historical Gold. The song about the Blue Ridge Mountains with Joan Baez was beautiful. Earl Scruggs played that banjo as easily as he breathed . Amazing. That man could sure play.
My kind of music, I love this film.
The absolute towers of our country's blood. I take my hat off to you for this, and to Merle and Doc. On bended knee, I am grateful
Wow..what can you say, the video speaks for itself, earl Scruggs without question one of the most impactful musicians of all time, in any genre, and time period, and an incredibly good man, so well done, thank you so much
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
The best documentary I have ever watched about music! I know I am partial to bluegrass music but wow such a great video tribute
Never heard of the Morris Brothers before. That Flint Hill area is plumb full of great talent. Great voices and the brother on mandolin is excellent!
This is beyond amazing. During the summer my church has a Wed night service (in Nashville TN) where we have bluegrass gospel singalongs and it is one of my favorite things to attend. I'm 40 years old and by far one of the youngest people there, I fear for the day when this kind of music stops being played.
I consider myself more of a classic rock guy but understand the importance of the preservation of this heritage, thank you for keeping it alive!
Don't worry too much. As long as these mountains stand somebody will still be pickin'
I LOVED this video.....I had the great pleasure of being a guest of Doc Watson in Deep Gap, NC years ago and played rhythm guitar behind his lead.....he gave me a radio interview when I was around 15 years old....it was a night I will never forget....and I was a huge fan of Flatt & Scruggs and even bigger fan of the Earl Scruggs review....hard to believe that Earl would have been 100 on January 6, 2024....A talent like no other......
Hi David, thank you for sharing this amazing journey with us. I have watched it numerous times, but just yesterday watched it with my dad on his 75th birthday and he thoroughly enjoyed it. We're in Australia, but he has travelled to a number of these southern states as a guest baptist pastor. Thanks for capturing the whole experience. 💐🎙🎼
God bless you for making these movies about america’s gift to music and more importantly showing the world that hillbillies are solid people.
Things have come full circle. Marty Stuart plays Clarence’s guitar and Gary’s son Chris plays bass for Marty.
when they played 'The Fly In the Ointment' i began to dance
On Top of Old Smokey was my Dad's favorite song.
The late great Clarence White playing with the Parsons string bender in the Byrds clip!!
Wow. Incredible film. All that and a really young Charlie Daniels!
I love this Kind of music! ❤
I saw this one a ways back, but I never knew how to leave a comment then. "Home Sweet Home," once upon a time, where did it go? ( Lol ) 🎵🎶🎵🎶
Beautiful, David Hoffman, you filmed some legendary souls.
🙏❤️🌍🕊🌿🎵🎶🎵
I so love this clip and all these superfine players!
What a beautiful film, talented and humble musicians, and what a beautiful country. One can easily understand why folks settled and farmed in the Appalachian Mountains.
this film I just stumbled into was pure pleasure all the way through, every minute. Everybofy was Great - Doc Watson, Ramdy Scruggs, and Joan Baez looked and sounded her most beautiful
The best 1 hour and 13 minutes I've spent on RUclips! This is such an important and priceless piece of history! I felt like I was sitting in their living room on a Sunday afternoon. The Scruggs family will be missed for an eternity. Remarkable talent!
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
The sound quality of this recording is amazing. I'm so used to hearing the double compression of the original recording passed through the RUclips recording. I swear, I haven't heard an ambient echo in 16 years. Thank you!
Thanks for this. I am not sure how radical a change Scruggs was making as opposed to feeling free to express what he actually believed and felt and still make a living and continue as an artist. He was too magically creative and intelligent to want to continue doing the same thing over and over even if it was great exciting music like Lester continued to make. As a banjoist and old time music writer in his 70s, it strikes people I know funny that the only time I ever saw Earl perform as opposed to a workshop went to was at the 1969 Washington antiwar demonstration captured in this film. I know shortly before his death when he set up a museum in his home town, Earl made serious efforts to obtain African musical musical instruments that are precursors of the banjo to tell the true story of the banjo's Black roots.
What a gem! After all this time to get a peek into the more private aspects of Earl Scruggs life and thoughts and to watch and hear him play in such a wide variety of musical settings. Just a fantastic and unexpected treat for every Scruggs fan or music fans in general. Thank you for sharing this with us!
God ...I love this music ...the beautiful sunny women...the true gentleman....and the shiny apple's...thank you ...universe
It amazes me on the insight you had how all this right now is so prevalent it's a Time passed that I don't think we will ever go back to and that's sad
The love I have for you making this documentary about earls personal life and casual recordings of him living his life so much respect for you, you keep his spirit alive
Doc and Earl. North Carolinas finest. Love these two as much as I love these hills.
Wow, one of my older brothers brought this album home when I was a kid. I wore it out. "Nashville Skyline" was the first cut on side 2. Wonderful to finally see the whole thing.
I admire you for digging into the music of the hills. I first saw your remarkable series on Bascomb Lamar Lunsford. Now this. Somebody else called you a "visionary". True. You realized this was important and stirring and good. And you did such a great job documenting it for all time. All the best to you. P.S. Love those Morris Brothers working at the body shop, yet with all that amazing musical talent (that Earl remembered and celebrated).
Every week, growing up, we had, at least one of this sort of party! That was my dad! with the most wonderful musicians and singers!
Nothing, (other than mum of course), he loved more than music!
Lovely way to live and enjoy life indeed! OK! "Got to get up and dance tho this one! haha! Goodnight all and Thank you sir David!
Beyond amazing to see the synergies between the traditional bluegrass and the new generation of folkies and folkrockers, playing in their lawn or at their homes. Thank you Mr. Hoffmann for giving us access to this gem of a documentary.
What a gem! The first record I bought as a kid was , I believe, Flatt and Scruggs Sing The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde. Bluegrass is the truest music there is. Thanks for this treasure.
Just wonderful I feel like one of the family sitting in the background with a BIG smile on my face ..Thanks
Priceless.
Must admit to being partial to Joan Baez. But, God, all of that was great. Thank you. 💐💕💫
That "If I Were a Carpenter" brings tears to my eyes every single time. Such a great rendition and just an amazing moment caught on film. I watch this documentary at least once a month without fail, sometimes more. Thank you David for your vision in capturing this history!
Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that RUclips is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Coming from Surry County, NC, where bluegrass music is still enjoyed and celebrated through many music festivals and the annual Fiddler's Convention, I have greatly enjoyed watching this video. It is such a wonderful representation of the music that makes this area feel like home.
Definitely one of your greatest films, David. Great trip down memory lane for me...felt like I was back in college when Joan Baez started to sing. Of course, Bob Dylan and Earl Scruggs...so nice. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Best version of Old Smokey I ever heard!
With such a talent and working on cars!!
You think working on cars doesn't require talent?
This is beautiful! Thank you ... for keeping this alive. This music is in my dna... a smalltown Tennessee boy.