As so many have said, before Earl Scruggs, no one played the banjo like him. After Earl EVERYONE played like him. Maybelle did the same thing. Some things can only happen once. How cool to be remembered that way.
I often pan for gold on RUclips and have struck it rich with this find! Personal stories shared, video and music is what makes this technology so great! Thanks for sharing all!
Our family was friends of the Scruggs family from the early 70's until they both passed.Dad was an airline captain and Earl also flew so they had much in common! My dad did a good bit of custom work for him over the years~ new resonator, refretting on the fingerboard and abalone/mother of pearl inlay, even a miniature 5-string that remained near Earl's easy chair for many years to come. Gary was kind enough to call our house while dad was bedridden & dying, we held the phone to Dad's ear so that Earl could speak to him. It meant the world to him, hearing his old friend's voice, even though he was sedated, because a single tear rolled out and we all knew why. A favorite memory from childhood was Mom always made a batch of peanut brittle when they would come visit, and end more again at Christmas, much to Louise's dismay as she had to hide it to keep Earl and his sweet tooth at bay, LOL!
Thanks for recapping that beautiful memory....incredible rich lives we live... gratitude to all involved here❤️ Here is our common-ness bringing people together in these strange times...music always strikes a chord deeply in our souls
You have some great historical videos, from some heartbreaking ones to the great musical greats, and others that might have been great but never had a chance. Glad you kept them.
Amazing, David. So grateful to have this so many years later. Thanks for having the wisdom to preserve this. I have the privilege of visiting the Ryman later this year and it means so much to me to be in this church of country music.
I worked with John Hartford for a while in the 80's and was introduced to the bluegrass scene bigtime. Impromptu jamming in the dressing room happens all the time. Even local bluegrass acts will play in the dressing room until it's time to go onstage. A real love of the music. I thought the blugrass piano was a hoot in "9 Pound Hammer."
Oh you have a video of them!!! I wish a would've been able to meet Earl Scruggs. I don't play the banjo but he makes me wish I did every single time I hear his songs.
Great Stuff! It's especially true of country string pickin' type music that you were better off being there because no recording device could record it and make it sound like the original performance.
There's nothing that makes me happier than seeing Earl Scruggs back in the day and his head get to moving and nodding side to side or back and forth...That pretty much means he's "Gettin' the job done"
These guys possess unmatched musicianship, no wonder of course when originators of Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs caliber are present. Bluegrass music is the American equivalent of French manouche gypsy music in passion, drive and virtuosity.
I saw the Earl Scruggs Revue at the WV State Fair back in the mid 70's. As I drove through Lewisburg, their bus was pulled up at the corner and Randy was walking down the street (to get directions, maybe, or to buy a coke?). I waved and he smiled and waved back. They did put on a great show that night. I wanted to get Earl to sign my Earl Scruggs banjo book, but never got the chance to get anywhere close to him.
Unfortunate that Earl's passing may bring this site more traffic, but I think you deserve a wider audience for your work. I've just been grinning for 7:38 and need to see the rest. Thank you.
I used to listen to this when I went fishing, my dog would love it and start running around in circles. Some thought it scared the fish away but meh..I reckon they liked it too.
Wow, Bill got some volume from that old Loar, just cuts right through. Great to see such talent enjoying their skills and eachother's. Thanks for sharing this.
@bigmrclean I agree with you - I noticed that too. It reminded me of fmr Eagles guitarist Don Felder who also has a very distinctive "gettin the job done" look when he plays. (You can really see it when he rips out those spanish-style licks on the "unplugged" version of Hotel Calif.)
When this 13 year old clip popped up, I wondered if it was in the documentary. When it started I remembered seeing it before. Am I misremembering that it ran on TV?
This is all for the camera and the documentary. Monroe never forgave Lester and Earl for leaving his band, & usurping him as the most known Bluegrass act. Monroe specifically forbade his band members from associating with Lester & Earl and their band members and had fought to prevent them from getting on the Opry. For his part Earl more or less refused to say anything in public about Monroe
Since Bill says that he hired Earl 22 years before, this is probably in about 1967. I have an LP of Earl with family and friends which dates from about the same time and is probably part of the same project.
@jaygatsby1 In those days, at the Grand Ole Opry, it was kind of easy once the security guard. Inside, everybody was friendly. The scene just happened. I was there with my soundman. Just rolled film. David Hoffman -- film maker
@jaygatsby1 The film has never been a film festival. It once ran at the San Francisco Bluegrass Festival but other than that has never been in the Festival. David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Bill said Earl started playing for him 22 years ago and Earl started playing for him in 1945 so this would have been made in 1967 when Lester and Earl was still Flatt and Scruggs. I was under the impression neither Lester or Earl spoke to Bill until after they broke up in 1969 and Bill wouldn’t speak to them. I’m not arguing with anybody I’m just a little confused.
This film was recorded in about 1971. It was a very difficult thing to get Bill and Earl in the same room and my producer worked very hard to talk Bill into doing it and he eventually agreed although he only would play that one song with Earl. David Hoffman filmmaker
Well.. I have to say, it's nice that Earl played with his boys Randy and Gary, but I never found the music they played together very interesting. Rather hear Earl and Bill.
Guaranteed that when, not if, someone asked Bill what he thought of Earl and his boys music, he said "that's just a whole bunch a nothin"...lol. He was a little hard assed from what I've heard. haha. no pushover, thats for certain.
He actually fired people for just being freindly with them. For about a decade until it became impossible Monroe refused to perform on the same bill with Lester and Earl, getting himself pretty much out of the first round of Bluegrass festivals in the 1950s and early 1960s among many other things. He was agreat musician but completely inflexible with band members or fermer band members
How was the audio for this documentary recorded? This in particular does not sound like the live recording off of the "Earl Scruggs: Family and Friends" record.
the album that you are referring to was created from my audio track. We used a high-quality 30" per second audio recorder. The album was made a year later than my film. David Hoffman-filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker That is stunning audio for that type of live recording in the early 70's. Thanks for going through the effort of capturing those special moments in time. Did you have a connection with Earl that allowed for getting started with the documentary?
Here is the complete film with so many musical icons - ruclips.net/video/OlneqC0mVsk/видео.html
I was 2 years ahead of this Young man in highschool. What you see is what you get. The whole family was exemplary in spirit and deportment.
Was it in Nashville that you went to school?
David Hoffman Filmmaker
Wow bill and Earl a under rated musician ,God bless then all.
Earl Scruggs introduces Bill Monroe. That’s respect. That bill is on fire🎉🎉🎉🎉 look!
The chills just flew as soon as Bill started singing! This is gold makes me proud to be from the South
My wifes family is frm the mountains of NC. This reminded me of several of her family reunions.
Great clip
Thank you
As so many have said, before Earl Scruggs, no one played the banjo like him. After Earl EVERYONE played like him. Maybelle did the same thing. Some things can only happen once. How cool to be remembered that way.
Your comment is so true!!
Earl Scruggs grin just before the end tells it all! Thank you for posting this video, David!
So awesome..I believe they could do this with there eyes closed!!!! Pure GOD given talent!! They live in forever!
Thank you David for documenting this. Very important piece of America’s roots music 🎵
I often pan for gold on RUclips and have struck it rich with this find! Personal stories shared, video and music is what makes this technology so great! Thanks for sharing all!
...a legend
Our family was friends of the Scruggs family from the early 70's until they both passed.Dad was an airline captain and Earl also flew so they had much in common! My dad did a good bit of custom work for him over the years~ new resonator, refretting on the fingerboard and abalone/mother of pearl inlay, even a miniature 5-string that remained near Earl's easy chair for many years to come. Gary was kind enough to call our house while dad was bedridden & dying, we held the phone to Dad's ear so that Earl could speak to him. It meant the world to him, hearing his old friend's voice, even though he was sedated, because a single tear rolled out and we all knew why. A favorite memory from childhood was Mom always made a batch of peanut brittle when they would come visit, and end more again at Christmas, much to Louise's dismay as she had to hide it to keep Earl and his sweet tooth at bay, LOL!
Thank you for sharing that Susanna. A beautiful story. I loved Earl. for the kind of person he was and the sweetness of him.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Great story!
Lovely. Despite the sadness involved, just lovely.
11
Thanks for recapping that beautiful memory....incredible rich lives we live... gratitude to all involved here❤️
Here is our common-ness bringing people together in these strange times...music always strikes a chord deeply in our souls
GOD BLESS THE SCRUGGS FAMILY - -
Thank you sir!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😁😁😁
~ Tennessee Melissa
My lord amazing, look at Randy and Gary
You have some great historical videos, from some heartbreaking ones to the great musical greats, and others that might have been great but never had a chance. Glad you kept them.
Amazing, David. So grateful to have this so many years later. Thanks for having the wisdom to preserve this. I have the privilege of visiting the Ryman later this year and it means so much to me to be in this church of country music.
I worked with John Hartford for a while in the 80's and was introduced to the bluegrass scene bigtime. Impromptu jamming in the dressing room happens all the time. Even local bluegrass acts will play in the dressing room until it's time to go onstage. A real love of the music.
I thought the blugrass piano was a hoot in "9 Pound Hammer."
I am a classical music buff, but the classics can't touch this!
Oh you have a video of them!!! I wish a would've been able to meet Earl Scruggs. I don't play the banjo but he makes me wish I did every single time I hear his songs.
Thanks David for recording this and all the the others.
love that jam in the beginning with bill monroe
The Opry was packed that night. Those good ole days in the Ryman will never be relived.
Wooow now, that's some real talent! Unlike most music on the radio today that all sounds the same.
Look at little Earl! He's PROUD AS SHUD BEE!!pick it lil Earl!
This is a stunning thing to find. WOW
Wonderful memories. The heaven is happier with Bill and Earl.
Great Stuff! It's especially true of country string pickin' type music that you were better off being there because no recording device could record it and make it sound like the original performance.
Earl Scruggs: rock star!!!
There's nothing that makes me happier than seeing Earl Scruggs back in the day and his head get to moving and nodding side to side or back and forth...That pretty much means he's "Gettin' the job done"
These guys possess unmatched musicianship, no wonder of course when originators of Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs caliber are present. Bluegrass music is the American equivalent of French manouche gypsy music in passion, drive and virtuosity.
Earl, Gary, Randy and Stevie play “Nine Pound Hammer” at the Grand Ole Opry.
Sally Daniels plays piano.
Is Sally Daniels the sister of Charlie?
Great piano break.
I purchased 3 of this documentary. Fantastic
Simply One Of The Best!
Simply AWESOME !!
Que maravilha, música divina!!
Deus seja louvado!
I saw the Earl Scruggs Revue at the WV State Fair back in the mid 70's. As I drove through Lewisburg, their bus was pulled up at the corner and Randy was walking down the street (to get directions, maybe, or to buy a coke?). I waved and he smiled and waved back. They did put on a great show that night. I wanted to get Earl to sign my Earl Scruggs banjo book, but never got the chance to get anywhere close to him.
I would have been honored to just meet the man. A signature would have been cool, but really I don't need the proof.
BTW, awesome story!
Unfortunate that Earl's passing may bring this site more traffic, but I think you deserve a wider audience for your work. I've just been grinning for 7:38 and need to see the rest. Thank you.
Yeeehaaaa. Take home sweet lord Jesus. Loving this. Put me in ground to it.
Great show, thanks for sharing, Oh, The first song was 'You can Hear the whistle blow a hundred miles' is the first song that someone was asking....
Awesome!
I used to listen to this when I went fishing, my dog would love it and start running around in circles. Some thought it scared the fish away but meh..I reckon they liked it too.
enjoyed very much...great music.
@Tony Thomas Wow, that really shows how much of a gentalmen Earl was. I don't think I could have keep my mouth shut.
Wow, Bill got some volume from that old Loar, just cuts right through. Great to see such talent enjoying their skills and eachother's. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks!
Thank you Porcupine. I appreciate you and the support.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Wonderful
Pure Americana!
thanks for posting
I was there for my 70th Birthday from Ulster. Hooooked
@bigmrclean I agree with you - I noticed that too. It reminded me of fmr Eagles guitarist Don Felder who also has a very distinctive "gettin the job done" look when he plays. (You can really see it when he rips out those spanish-style licks on the "unplugged" version of Hotel Calif.)
agree....this is a treasure. how did you convince them to perform an impromptu jam in the dressing room?
just great !
Greetings baby...!!! I wonder what year this is I have never seen this ole opry wow look how young they were !!! I love you !!!
When this 13 year old clip popped up, I wondered if it was in the documentary. When it started I remembered seeing it before. Am I misremembering that it ran on TV?
PrimeTime PBS way back then.
David Hoffman filmmaker
This is all for the camera and the documentary. Monroe never forgave Lester and Earl for leaving his band, & usurping him as the most known Bluegrass act. Monroe specifically forbade his band members from associating with Lester & Earl and their band members and had fought to prevent them from getting on the Opry. For his part Earl more or less refused to say anything in public about Monroe
Since Bill says that he hired Earl 22 years before, this is probably in about 1967. I have an LP of Earl with family and friends which dates from about the same time and is probably part of the same project.
@jaygatsby1 In those days, at the Grand Ole Opry, it was kind of easy once the security guard. Inside, everybody was friendly. The scene just happened. I was there with my soundman. Just rolled film.
David Hoffman -- film maker
Do you have the footage of Randy's break at 1:48?
Randy really stole the show
Like the clip. great history. just wish Lester was with them.
@jaygatsby1 The film has never been a film festival. It once ran
at the San Francisco Bluegrass Festival but other than that has never been in the Festival.
David Hoffman -- filmmaker
Just look at those old boys go!
RANDY SCRUGGS ON GUITAR YES INDEED -
Incredible
Best version of nine pound hammer I am able to find
would have been nice seeing Ralph Stanley in the jam. Monroe, Earl, Baker, Stanley =none better
I was ask to join ralph some years ago in bath England to represent the Appalachian mts, ans that was a thrill
Bill said Earl started playing for him 22 years ago and Earl started playing for him in 1945 so this would have been made in 1967 when Lester and Earl was still Flatt and Scruggs. I was under the impression neither Lester or Earl spoke to Bill until after they broke up in 1969 and Bill wouldn’t speak to them. I’m not arguing with anybody I’m just a little confused.
This film was recorded in about 1971. It was a very difficult thing to get Bill and Earl in the same room and my producer worked very hard to talk Bill into doing it and he eventually agreed although he only would play that one song with Earl.
David Hoffman filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Thank you
Where is D Ray?
Well.. I have to say, it's nice that Earl played with his boys Randy and Gary, but I never found the music they played together very interesting. Rather hear Earl and Bill.
Cool! Too bad the full movie is only on DVD...I don't have a player haha...
awesome badass
this.
What year is this. Bill said Earl came to work for him 22 years before.
Read the description please.
David Hoffman filmmaker
Heavy!!!
@migasaguiar Yes I did. And many other country, Mountain, and bluegrass scenes. It was and still is my favorite music.
David Hoffman -- filmmaker
That's Jody Maphis, who was Joe Maphis' son. He actually played drums with the Earl Scruggs Revue.
DAMN THAT stuff Good!
Thank you for your comment and your purchase.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
Guaranteed that when, not if, someone asked Bill what he thought of Earl and his boys music, he said "that's just a whole bunch a nothin"...lol. He was a little hard assed from what I've heard. haha. no pushover, thats for certain.
lol, bill and earl are the Best in my opinion! for real! they make the bluegrass flow!
Earl, Gary, Randy and Stevie play “Nine Pound Hammer” .
Sally Daniels plays piano
Holy shit!!!
aviator wearing nashville hipsters take note,...this melts your face
Happy 100th Birthday to the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe! (eh.)
That's the illest rendition of Reuben's Train that there is.
Stevie Scruggs is there and Sally Daniels plays piano.
Wish I’d been there
The song also known as Reuben's Train too....the first song that is...
You fellows are the best. -----------------------------Ernest E. Johnson
He actually fired people for just being freindly with them. For about a decade until it became impossible Monroe refused to perform on the same bill with Lester and Earl, getting himself pretty much out of the first round of Bluegrass festivals in the 1950s and early 1960s among many other things. He was agreat musician but completely inflexible with band members or fermer band members
Bill doing Ralph = What flattery!
Monroe was playing little Maggie b4 Ralph Stanley knew whut a banjo was
@allinaday have you done the festival circuit already with this film?
... SOUTHERN YEARNING ... GREAT ...
Anyone know what the first song is called?
good old white anglo saxon music...Thank God for our Culture!!!
bill monroe &earl scruggz.....nuff said
The Big Mon.... Bill Monroe!
Jesus Christ!!!!!!!! ❤️🔥
How was the audio for this documentary recorded? This in particular does not sound like the live recording off of the "Earl Scruggs: Family and Friends" record.
the album that you are referring to was created from my audio track. We used a high-quality 30" per second audio recorder. The album was made a year later than my film.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker That is stunning audio for that type of live recording in the early 70's. Thanks for going through the effort of capturing those special moments in time.
Did you have a connection with Earl that allowed for getting started with the documentary?
Also - For the live recording from the Ryman w/ Bill Monroe... Where was the recorder placed? Near a speaker in the audience?
Does anybody know the name of the first song that Bill sings? I can't quite understand the lyrics
Nvm, it's train 45
Lonesome Reuben, Little Maggie, Little Georgia Rose, Nine Pound Hammer