5 things you didn't know about Flatt & Scruggs

Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs started playing together when they were both members of Bill Monroe's blue grass band. A few years later they redefined blue grass when they formed their own band the Foggy Mountain Boys. For 21 years the band was a big influence on both country and folk music. The Foggy Mountain Boys broke up in 1969 when Lester Flatt and Earl Scrubbs split up over creative differences. After the parting of ways Lester Flatt formed the Nashville Grass band and had success with it until his death in 1979. Earl Scrubbs went on to put together the Earl Scruggs Revue that lasted until his retirement in the mid1980's. In his later years Mr. Scrubbs did do some touring with other banjo players.

The following are some more facts about these two country legends:

They hosted a television show

From 1955 until the duo separated ways 1969 they hosted “The Grand Ole Opry Show”. On it they had a mix of downhome humor, cooking tips on the live commercials they would do during the show, and feature various artist like Uncle Josh Graves and Curly Seckler and others that were experts in various instruments.

They appeared on the “The Beverly Hillbilies”

Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs would occasionally guest star on the television show “The Beverly Hillbillies”. They also played the theme song for the show. The song went on to be the first television theme song to go to number 1 on the billboard chart.

They are in the country music hall of fame

In 1985 the duo's contributions to blue grass had garnered them an induction into the country music hall of fame. Those contributions can still be still be seen in country music with tribute bands and a style of playing the banjo that was popularized by Earl Scruggs.

The Coen brothers paid homage to Flatt& Scruggs

In the 2000 movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” the Coen brothers paid homage to Flatt & Scruggs. When writing the movie they named the band “Soggy Bottom Boys” as tribute to the Flatt & Scruggs' band “Foggy Mountain Boys”.

Earl Scruggs toured with Steve Martin

Steve Martin is known for his comedy but he is also a great banjo player. In 2009 he teamed up with Earl Scruggs and other banjo players. The newly formed group went on tour hitting the talk show circuit and put on concerts.