Earl Scruggs Center - Music & Stories from the American South is scheduled to open January 11th of next year in Shelby, North Carolina. Cleveland County is nestled in the rolling piedmont of the southwestern portion of North Carolina situated in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The Earl Scruggs Center will showcase the history, cultural traditions of the American South and the unique musical contributions of Earl Scruggs, the region’s most pre-eminent ambassador of music. Envisioned as a cornerstone for regional, cultural and economic development, the Center will serve as a cultural crossroads for visitors, students and residents.
Earl Scruggs made his mark with the birth of bluegrass music as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and later with partner Lester Flatt when they performed with their band the Foggy Mountain Boys. Scruggs is credited with creating the 3-finger style of picking the 5-string banjo now called "Scruggs Style." It is that sound that has popularized bluegrass music and gives it a unique sound. Scruggs played with many other styles of music but continued to drive his banjo using the Scruggs Style.
Scruggs is in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of fame. He was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship, National Medal of the Arts and numerous other awards. He earned multiple Grammy awards for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Few artists have made such a lasting mark on America's music and Scruggs' banjo style is certainly at the top of the list.
The Center will explore Mr. Scruggs’ innovative career and the community that gave it shape while celebrating how he crossed musical boundaries and defined the voice of the banjo to the world. The center celebrates the tradition and innovation of renowned banjo player, Earl Scruggs. His development of a unique 3-finger playing style continues to influence music around the world.
Drawing on the region's rich history and music the Scruggs Center will enlighten, educate and celebrate the people, traditions and values of Cleveland County and the region and honor native son and music legend Earl Scruggs. Exhibits will portray the area's history using existing artifacts, showcase the life of music legend Earl Scruggs and offer rotating displays of local history and regional music
The center will refurbish old courtroom as a community gathering place and create public areas for music, storytelling, and more. The facilities will also install new bathroom facilities, an elevator, new lighting system, administrative offices and gift shop. Visit www.EarlScruggsCenter.org to hear about more events, exhibits and performances at the center.