Earl Scruggs' Banjo Heading to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Earl Scruggs' Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone banjo will become part of the Precious Jewels display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The five-string banjo, the late Hall of Fame member's primary instrument, has never been exhibited. It goes on display July 12. Scruggs acquired the instrument in a trade with banjo legend Don Reno in the late 1940s and used it on the 1949 recording of his signature composition "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" with Lester Flatt and the Foggy Mountain Boys. He continued to use the instrument on the road and in the studio with Flatt & Scruggs and the Earl Scruggs Revue. The Precious Jewels display, part of the museum's Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music exhibit, also features Mother Maybelle Carter's Gibson L-5 guitar, Lester Flatt's Martin D-28 guitar, Bill Monroe's Gibson F-5 mandolin, Jimmie Rodgers' Martin 00-18 guitar and Hank Williams' Martin D-28 guitar.

Rare Josh Graves Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UXphD7Zd7M

Curl Seckler recovering from a stroke.

Bluegrass legend Curly Seckler, 93, is recovering at home after suffering a mini stroke on May 19. Seckler suffered some loss of his ability to speak, but fortunately did not experience any paralysis. He was transported to the hospital and underwent multiple tests, but was not admitted. He is working with a speech therapist and is making progress in his recovery.
Seckler celebrated 77 years in bluegrass music last year. Seckler is renowned as one of the pioneering tenor singers in bluegrass, including 12 years with Flatt & Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys and 21 years with the Nashville Grass. He celebrated his 75th anniversary in bluegrass music in 2010 and his 92nd birthday in 2011! He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2004, the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2011.