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Yesterday, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum celebrated the donation of legendary musician, bluegrass pioneer and Country Music Hall of Fame member Earl Scruggs's storied Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo to the museum's permanent collection.

Scruggs played the iconic banjo throughout his more than 60-year career, including in concerts, on TV sound stages and in the recording studio with Flatt andamp; Scruggs and the Earl Scruggs Revue. The banjo can be heard on Scruggs's famous composition "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," by Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys – showcasing his innovative three-finger picking style that would influence generations of musicians and expand the possibilities of the instrument across the world. The Gibson banjo remained Scruggs's primary instrument until his passing in March 2012.

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The celebration of this monumental gift featured performances illuminating Scruggs's influential career. Guests on hand to perform included:

In addition to performing, the Earls of Leicester served as the backing band throughout the event. The band features an all-star lineup of musicians: Jerry Douglas (dobro), Shawn Camp (lead vocals and guitar), Jeff White (mandolin), Johnny Warren (fiddle), Daniel Kimbro (bass), and Charlie Cushman (banjo).

Vince Gill, Country Music Hall of Fame member and president of the museum's board, opened the ceremony. He thanked the Scruggs family for their generosity and offered his perspectives on the banjo and its donation. "It's so valuable to the history of music, and the history of Earl and his family," he said.

Museum CEO Kyle Young shared stories of Scruggs's musical impact and the significance of the instrument, which will now be preserved in perpetuity by the nonprofit museum and held in the public trust. Scruggs's banjo, previously on loan, joins an elite list of historical instruments donated to the museum's collection over the years, including Mother Maybelle's Gibson L-5 guitar, Bill Monroe's Gibson F-5 mandolin, Lester Flatt's Martin D-28 guitar, Cowboy Jack Clement's Gibson SJ-200 guitar and more.

"These artifacts are unique historical treasures," said Young. "They connect us to the lives of creative geniuses who forged the enduring sounds of our music. Today, we are grateful and elated to celebrate the donation of another such treasure ­– Earl's Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo ­– an instrument made iconic by the creative power of the master musician who wielded it."

Earl's grandchildren, Jaime, Jesse and Lindsey Scruggs, who joined together to donate the banjo to the museum, were in attendance. Lindsey Scruggs spoke of Earl's legacy on behalf of the family, offering thanks to the museum for its stewardship of the country music story, as well as the seminal instruments that continue to influence musicians across generations. The Scruggs family also donated many other historic items to the museum's collection, including important artifacts and documents that chronicle the legacy of Earl, his beloved wife and pioneering business manager, Louise, and the successful musical careers of Earl's children, Gary and Randy Scruggs. Items include a parlor guitar owned by Earl's father, Louise's fold-out desk from childhood, as well as audio and video recordings, among other items.

Prior to Brown's performance with the Earls of Leicester, Jerry Douglas spoke about the importance of the banjo's donation and the original Flatt andamp; Scruggs' instruments being reunited again on stage for the first time in more than 50 years. "These instruments are the reason why I play music at all," said Douglas.

Following the ceremony, Scruggs's Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo, was returned to the museum's galleries. The banjo is on display in the museum's Precious Jewel core exhibition, alongside several other iconic instruments.

The donation ceremony will be available to watch in its entirety on the museum's website later this week.