Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum tagged interest

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 Scruggsand#39;s storied Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo to the museumand#39;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 Scruggsand#39;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 Scruggsand#39;s primary instrument until his passing in March 2012.

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The celebration of this monumental gift featured performances illuminating Scruggsand#39;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 museumand#39;s board, opened the ceremony. He thanked the Scruggs family for their generosity and offered his perspectives on the banjo and its donation. "Itand#39;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 Scruggsand#39;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. Scruggsand#39;s banjo, previously on loan, joins an elite list of historical instruments donated to the museumand#39;s collection over the years, including Mother Maybelleand#39;s Gibson L-5 guitar, Bill Monroeand#39;s Gibson F-5 mandolin, Lester Flattand#39;s Martin D-28 guitar, Cowboy Jack Clementand#39;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 ­– Earland#39;s Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo ­– an instrument made iconic by the creative power of the master musician who wielded it."

Earland#39;s grandchildren, Jaime, Jesse and Lindsey Scruggs, who joined together to donate the banjo to the museum, were in attendance. Lindsey Scruggs spoke of Earland#39;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 museumand#39;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 Earland#39;s children, Gary and Randy Scruggs. Items include a parlor guitar owned by Earland#39;s father, Louiseand#39;s fold-out desk from childhood, as well as audio and video recordings, among other items.

Prior to Brownand#39;s performance with the Earls of Leicester, Jerry Douglas spoke about the importance of the banjoand#39;s donation and the original Flatt andamp; Scruggsand#39; 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, Scruggsand#39;s Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo, was returned to the museumand#39;s galleries. The banjo is on display in the museumand#39;s Precious Jewel core exhibition, alongside several other iconic instruments.

The donation ceremony will be available to watch in its entirety on the museumand#39;s website later this week.