The Influence of Earl Scruggs Life Reflected by Dierks Bentley

(Photo from Country Weekly 2-20-12)

In October of 2010, Dierks Bentley was having the week of his life. Not only was he celebrating five years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, but he was lucky enough to share the stage and spend time with legendary bluegrass icon, Earl Scruggs that week.  Dierks called it a "career highlight" for himself.

Earl Scruggs died on Wednesday, March 28, at the age of 88 of natural causes.

According to the Associated Press, "Scruggs' use of three fingers — in place of the limited clawhammer style once prevalent — elevated the banjo from a part of the rhythm section — or a even a comedian's prop — to a lead instrument that was as versatile as the guitar and far more flashy." AP generously quoted Dierks throughout their story:

"It's not just bluegrass, it's American music...there's 17- or 18-year-old kids turning on today's country music and hearing that banjo and they have no idea where that came from. That sound has probably always been there for them and they don't realize someone invented that three-finger roll style of playing. You hear it everywhere." 

AP also said, "Bentley and bluegrassers like Sam Bush and Jon Randall Stewart celebrated him at the Tin Pan South gathering of songwriters in Nashville and Eddie Stubbs dedicated the night to him on WSM, the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Bentley attended Scruggs' birthday party in January and had a chance to pick one more song in a circle with the legend. He even snapped a picture with his 3-year-old daughter, something he says he'll cherish forever. (Photo above is believed to be Dierks' 15 month old daughter, Jordan.)

"I think Earl was ready to go see Louise.  I think he was ready to go. But we're lucky. We've got a lifetime of his music that's recorded to listen to and he's in a better place." 

Upon learning of Earl's death, Dierks tweeted:

"lost one of the pillars of bluegrass music and country music today. rest in peace #earlscruggs! thanks for a lifetime of music to listen to!"

Thanks to Dierks, we all know Earl Scruggs a little better and appreciate his musical influence on the world.

Rest in peace, Earl.  God Bless.

Watch Dierks perform "Fiddlin' Around" at the IBMA Awards

Dierks Bentley opened the 2010 IBMA Awards with 'Fiddlin' Around' and was joined on stage by Sierra Hull on mandolin, Mike Bub on Bass, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Rob McCoury on banjo and Randy Kohrs. Check out a video of the performance below.

Dierks and Scruggs--What a Week!

Dierks and Scruggs. Is that like Dailey and Vincent, the dynamic bluegrass duo who just won the IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award for the third time? No. It's like Dierks Bentley playing "fan in awe of greatness" when he had the chance to spend time with the legendary Earl Scruggs. Take a look at the Twitter exchange below as our DB Congress president shared his experience with us!

@DierksBentley: one from last night. backstge w thman responsible for the saxjtype of banjo playing heard on all modern country records...Earl Scruggs... career highlight sharing the stage w scruggs fam last night


@dbcongress: @DierksBentley Great pic of you & Mr. Scruggs! Red shirt & Jacket-too cool! How many career highlights can you have in one week? Congrats

@DierksBentley: @dbcongress indeed! been a good week. 5th anniversary of Opry induction tonight. thx for all the help with MAP


@dbcongress: @DierksBentley You are very welcome! That's what we do! And thx for the reply/pic--you know that's going on the dbcongress.com blog! haha

And there you have it. Wow! What a week for our dude! Opry Comes Home on Tuesday, International Bluegrass Music Association Awards on Wednesday, Opry 5-year celebration performance on Friday, and hosting an online backstage tour of the opry tomorrow on Opry's Facebook page! Whew! Even I'm tired just typing it all!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIM SERGENT!

Ashland, Kentucky native Tim Sergent is a talented musician, making his living on the road as Dierks Bentley's steel guitar and banjo player. And today was no exception. It's his birthday, but he worked on stage with Dierks and the guys, performing to raise money for Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital in Nashville for DB's annual Miles and Music For Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert. The event raised over $215,000 this year - more than double the three previous years.

My goal this year was to meet all the guys in Dierks' band. I met Tim (and Rod) in February in Tampa at another benefit--WQYK for St. Jude's. Tim and Rod were supporting Dierks in an acoustic set and in between they were just hanging out having coffee so I asked for a photo op!

I met Tim again at Last Call Ball and also chatted a few minutes with him after The Tabernacle in Atlanta. He told me he plays the fiddle some, and I told him I'm waiting to see that added to the live show! My dream would be to see "Gonna Get There Someday" live, with Dierks singing and Tim playing fiddle!

I also found a beautiful video on YouTube of Tim showing his stuff:



Tim Sergent playing one of the new Jackson steel guitars at the show at Steel Guitar Nashville January 14, 2009 posted on YouTube by bobbeseymour

Here is a comment on YT from below that video: jd774U (6 months ago) Thanks for the great video. I knew Tim back in the 80s in Ashland KY - he was a child prodigy!  He could play anything - banjo, guitar, piano, etc. and was destined for Nashville from birth. A really great guy too, i wish we had more of him on youtube! (got any more?)

Tim plays the banjo! My brother filmed and edited this video exclusively for dbcongress.com:


Posted on Youtube by dbcongress February 09, 2009: Originally scheduled to be pool-side, Dierks Bentley performed live inside Floyd's on this 32 degree Florida morning, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa from 7-9 a.m. Audience members earned a seat by serving as Partners in Hope for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. WQYK broadcast the event live and Charley Belcher from FOX13 was also there filming live for tv.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIM! I hope you see this and hope you had a fanstastic day! See ya Friday night in Tampa!

~Ronna
DB Congress Chair