Gadget of the week: Gibson Earl Scruggs banjo from Land of the Lost

Introducing the Gibson Earls Scruggs banjo as played by Will Ferrell’s eccentric palaeontologist Dr. Rick Marshall in new comedy Land of the Lost, out at UK cinemas from tomorrow.
And if you fancy strumming along on a banjo, the Gibson Earl Scruggs is a fantastic place to start. This five-string one is modelled on the personal Granada model played by bluegrass banjo legend Earl Scruggs and as such features nickel-plated hardware to look like the worn gold-plated hardware on Earl’s. Introduced into the Gibson family back in 1984, the triple-bound instrument (white/ black/ white) is made of figured maple, finished with hand-applied lacquer and boasts a gorgeous hearts and flowers pattern.

It’s not cheap at $3,999, but delivers on every level; and will even come in handy in spooky giant bug-infested caves in fantastical lands. Or so we’ve heard.

Shelby Welcome sign honoring Earl Scruggs

House Resolution Introduced Honoring Lester Flatt

I received an email from a friend that a resolution has been introduced into the US House of Representatives> Here is what I received:

U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, has introduced a resolution honoring Lester Flatt. The number is H.Res.583 and can looked up on www.thomas.gov We have 11 cosponsors. We represent 24 counties in middle and east Tennessee, including White County and Sparta, Tennessee. Congressman Davis (as am I) is big bluegrass fan and wanted to recognize his life and contributions in this 30th year since his passing. I borrowed some from your site www.flatt-and-scruggs.com in drafting the resolution, and wanted to inform you of this.

Here is the contents of the resolution:


111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 583
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Lester Flatt has made an invaluable contribution to American art as both a songwriter and a performer, leaving an indelible legacy in bluegrass music.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 25, 2009
Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. SHULER, Mr. CHILDERS, Mr. COOPER, Mr. MOORE of Kansas, Mr. COBLE, Mr. TANNER, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. DUNCAN, and Mr. MCGOVERN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor


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RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Lester Flatt has made an invaluable contribution to American art as both a songwriter and a performer, leaving an indelible legacy in bluegrass music.

Whereas Lester Flatt was born on June 19, 1914, in the region of Sparta, Tennessee;

Whereas Lester Flatt began playing guitar and singing in local churches at a young age;

Whereas Lester Flatt got his first break playing with Charlie Monroe and the Kentucky Pardners in North Carolina in the early 1940s;

Whereas in 1945, Lester Flatt was invited by Bill Monroe to play rhythm guitar and sing with Monroe's band on the Grand Ole Opry;

Whereas Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise, Howard Watts, and Bill Monroe are widely credited with the creation of bluegrass music through their band, Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys;

Whereas Lester Flatt later joined with Earl Scruggs to create the band Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, which remains one of the most influential bands in bluegrass music;

Whereas in 1969, Lester Flatt parted with Scruggs to form the band Nashville Grass, with whom he performed until shortly before his death on May 11, 1979;

Whereas in 1991, Lester Flatt, along with Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs, became an inaugural member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame; and

Whereas Lester Flatt is widely regarded as one of the greatest bluegrass musicians and singers of all time, writing dozens of songs that are considered bluegrass classics: Now, therefore, be it


Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that Lester Flatt has made an invaluable contribution to American art as both a songwriter and a performer, leaving an indelible legacy in bluegrass music.
An honor long overdue!