The Earl Scruggs Music Festival is proud to announce new additions to the festival lineup for the upcoming 2020 event: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jim Lauderdale, Chatham County Line, and the Earls of Leicester.
Touring for more than fifty years, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music. GRAMMY award-winning Americana star Jim Lauderdale recorded his seminal 1979 album with Roland White in Earl Scruggs’ basement in Tennessee. Much loved and hard touring Chatham County Line represents Scruggs’ North Carolina heritage, and the inclusion of the Earls of Leicester is a nod to their roots as a Flatt & Scruggs supergroup tribute band.
These artists will join the initial lineup announcement for the Earl Scruggs Music Festival including Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Jerry Douglas, Alison Brown, Dom Flemons, Radney Foster, The Barefoot Movement, Darin and Brooke Aldridge,The Po Ramblin Boys, and Unspoken Tradition. Each of these artists will perform during the two day festival at Tryon International Equestrian Center, located in Mill Spring, NC.
After-hours festivities will take place on the festival grounds following the main stage performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. These events require a separate ticket and space is limited-- these tickets will be available soon. General tickets are available now, as are reservationsfor tent and RV camping.
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival promoters have also announced the names of the full festival team, starting with JT Scruggs, Earl’s nephew, as Festival Director.
“The Earl Scruggs Music Festival is very special to me and I’m honored to have a part in it,” said JT Scruggs. “I believe that this event will allow us to continue to promote the Earl Scruggs Center and help us to continue providing wonderful exhibitions and programs. Most importantly, this festival will help us to honor the life and incredible legacy of Earl Scruggs in a major way.” JT will be joined by Co-Assistant Festival Directors Mary Beth Martin, Executive Director of the Earl Scruggs Center, located in Shelby, NC and David Kester of WNCW broadcasting from Spindale, NC.
“We are bringing some incredible Americana and bluegrass artists to the festival, many of whom personally knew Earl Scruggs, said Martin. "All of them were influenced by him and his music in some way. This community and part of the state has a long history of producing great musicians and appreciating good music, so we want to celebrate that tradition with the inaugural Earl Scruggs Music Festival.”
The directors will be joining Artistic Director and Festival Consultant Steve Johnson, a well known manager and agent in North Carolina. Also joining the team is Social Media Manager Maggie Rainwater of HoosierDevil, whose grandfather played in the Foggy Mountain Boys with Earl Scruggs!
More Information About The Earl Scruggs Center:
http://earlscruggscenter.org/about-us/the-center/
The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which Mr. Scruggs was born and raised. It was in the nearby Flint Hill community where Mr. Scruggs learned to play banjo and began the three-finger playing style that has come to be known around the world as “Scruggs Style.” The Earl Scruggs Center explores 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. Mr. Scruggs embraced tradition while also adapting to the changing times and looking toward the future—themes which resonate throughout the Center. Engaging exhibits, special event space and rich programming provide a uniquely rich experience for visitors.
More Information about Tryon International Equestrian Center:
Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort is the ultimate international destination for all who love horses, outdoor living and an active lifestyle. As host of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, Tryon International Equestrian Center offers first-class facilities for all FEI disciplines in addition to showcasing hunter/jumper, equitation, steeplechase, polo, and multidiscipline events in Mill Spring, NC. From carousel to competition, the mission of Tryon Resort is to celebrate the magic of the horse, grow equestrian sport, and increase access to this majestic animal. A haven for equestrian competitors and enthusiasts alike, Tryon Resort is an iconic, year-round destination for connoisseurs of diverse cuisine and shopping, lodging getaways, and family entertainment.