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Unexpectedly moving . . . Well-written and researched . . . Goldsmith's sweeping view of twentieth-century popular culture tells a fascinating story of how a regional banjo style journeyed from rural North Carolina to the American mainstream, and of the musician and his iconic composition that took it there. --Journal of American Folklore Goldsmith packs his narrative with not only numerous facts but interesting anecdotal evidence. . . . All told, the author skillfully succeeds in weaving together an explanation of how Scruggs and his tune became legendary. --North Carolina Historical Review Those who are already fans of 'Earl' and his astounding banjo work will certainly want to own this volume. . . . Earl Scruggs and Foggy Mountain Breakdown is a worthy addition to the library of any bluegrass, country, and acoustic-music enthusiast. --Journal of Folklore Research Thoroughly researched, elegantly written, this is a superb study of a tune, a man, and the creation of a highly distinctive American musical style. Loaded with information and interpretation, its warm personable style makes for a compelling and insightful read. -Douglas B. (Ranger Doug) Green A couple of biographical books on Earl Scruggs have come out, but none are as informative and fun-to-read as this one. --Inland Northwest Bluegrass Music Association A fascinating read! Goldsmith tells how Earl Scruggs used his unique artistic vision to invent a musical language understood and embraced by performers and audiences alike, reviving the five-string banjo to leave an enduring mark on American popular music. --Neil V. Rosenberg, author of Bluegrass Generation: A Memoir A wonderfully written and engaging story that any music fan would enjoy. --Music Fest News Remarkable . . . This book should prove indispensable to students of the banjo, whether raw beginners or ultra-advanced. It should have similar appeal to dedicated bluegrass fans who want to take a deep dive into the banjo sound, style, and technique that Scruggs made not only famous, but timeless and legendary. --Bluegrass Unlimited A highly readable portrait of the man, the song, the times, and the music. . . . For lovers of Earl Scruggs and bluegrass music, Earl Scruggs and Foggy Mountain Breakdown will become essential reading. --Ted Lehman, No Depression Goldsmith manages to include all salient details in his succinct, insightful biography of Scruggs. --Shepherd Express An enormous contribution to the history of bluegrass and a fascinating read, well organized and well told. Goldsmith's lengthy interview with Earl is a treasure trove of information not only about 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' but about the early days of bluegrass and specifically Earl's working relationship with Bill Monroe, which has long been clouded in mystery. --Murphy Hicks Henry, author of Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass

An enormous contribution to the history of bluegrass and a fascinating read, well organized and well told. Goldsmith's lengthy interview with Earl is a treasure trove of information not only about 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' but about the early days of bluegrass and specifically Earl's working relationship with Bill Monroe, which has long been clouded in mystery.--Murphy Hicks Henry, author of Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass

Remarkable . . . This book should prove indispensable to students of the banjo, whether raw beginners or ultra-advanced. It should have similar appeal to dedicated bluegrass fans who want to take a deep dive into the banjo sound, style, and technique that Scruggs made not only famous, but timeless and legendary. --Bluegrass Unlimited A highly readable portrait of the man, the song, the times, and the music. . . . For lovers of Earl Scruggs and bluegrass music, Earl Scruggs and Foggy Mountain Breakdown will become essential reading. --Ted Lehman, No Depression A fascinating read! Goldsmith tells how Earl Scruggs used his unique artistic vision to invent a musical language understood and embraced by performers and audiences alike, reviving the five-string banjo to leave an enduring mark on American popular music. --Neil V. Rosenberg, author of Bluegrass Generation: A Memoir A wonderfully written and engaging story that any music fan would enjoy. --Music Fest News Thoroughly researched, elegantly written, this is a superb study of a tune, a man, and the creation of a highly distinctive American musical style. Loaded with information and interpretation, its warm personable style makes for a compelling and insightful read. -Douglas B. (Ranger Doug) Green A couple of biographical books on Earl Scruggs have come out, but none are as informative and fun-to-read as this one. --Inland Northwest Bluegrass Music Association

Goldsmith packs his narrative with not only numerous facts but interesting anecdotal evidence. . . . All told, the author skillfully succeeds in weaving together an explanation of how Scruggs and his tune became legendary. --North Carolina Historical Review Those who are already fans of 'Earl' and his astounding banjo work will certainly want to own this volume. . . . Earl Scruggs and Foggy Mountain Breakdown is a worthy addition to the library of any bluegrass, country, and acoustic-music enthusiast. --Journal of Folklore Research Thoroughly researched, elegantly written, this is a superb study of a tune, a man, and the creation of a highly distinctive American musical style. Loaded with information and interpretation, its warm personable style makes for a compelling and insightful read. -Douglas B. (Ranger Doug) Green A couple of biographical books on Earl Scruggs have come out, but none are as informative and fun-to-read as this one. --Inland Northwest Bluegrass Music Association A fascinating read! Goldsmith tells how Earl Scruggs used his unique artistic vision to invent a musical language understood and embraced by performers and audiences alike, reviving the five-string banjo to leave an enduring mark on American popular music. --Neil V. Rosenberg, author of Bluegrass Generation: A Memoir A wonderfully written and engaging story that any music fan would enjoy. --Music Fest News Remarkable . . . This book should prove indispensable to students of the banjo, whether raw beginners or ultra-advanced. It should have similar appeal to dedicated bluegrass fans who want to take a deep dive into the banjo sound, style, and technique that Scruggs made not only famous, but timeless and legendary. --Bluegrass Unlimited A highly readable portrait of the man, the song, the times, and the music. . . . For lovers of Earl Scruggs and bluegrass music, Earl Scruggs and Foggy Mountain Breakdown will become essential reading. --Ted Lehman, No Depression Goldsmith manages to include all salient details in his succinct, insightful biography of Scruggs. --Shepherd Express An enormous contribution to the history of bluegrass and a fascinating read, well organized and well told. Goldsmith's lengthy interview with Earl is a treasure trove of information not only about 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' but about the early days of bluegrass and specifically Earl's working relationship with Bill Monroe, which has long been clouded in mystery. --Murphy Hicks Henry, author of Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass

Author Information

Thomas Goldsmith is a music journalist. For more than thirty years, he has worked both in daily newspapers in North Carolina and Tennessee and as freelance writer. He is the editor of The Bluegrass Reader, winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's best journalist award.

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