The man sitting in the middle Earl Scruggs a legend of blue grass hillbilly music.He and Lester Flatts recorded this in 1950.The people in this video: on piano Paul Shaffer band leader from LateNight with David Letterman, the keyboardist Leon Russell,second banjo:Steve Martin,harmonica:Gary Scruggs,Guitars Randy Scruggs,Vince Gill,Albert Lee,mandolin Marty Stuart,and on the dobro Jerry Douglas.
Nobody’s done it, so in order of solo appearance: Earl Scruggs on banjo, Glen Duncan on fiddle, Randy Scruggs on acoustic guitar, Steve Martin on banjo, Vince Gill on telecaster, Marty Stuart on mandolin, Gary Scruggs on harmonica, Albert Lee on telecaster, Paul Schaffer on piano, Jerry Douglas on dobro, Leon Russell on keyboard. And the drummer is Harry Stinson.
Albert Lee was NOT playing a Telecaster. His red guitar is an Ernie Ball Music Man. Has his [Albert Lee] name on it, includes Albert Lee [Seymour Duncan] custom wound pickups. It is made of solid ash. Plays like no other guitar I've ever held!
I was honored to get to see The Earl Scruggs Review in 1972 at Cal Poly Pavilion in San Luis Obispo, CA. Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks opened for them! Mind blowing!!
@@farmhome904 Roy was indeed good with multiple (or any) stringed instrument, but he can't outplay anyone on that stage except for Steve and Randy on their individual instruments. No way he touches any of the others, including Vince.
In Earl's biography, he was on Hee Haw one time and someone asked Roy if he was going to play the banjo with Earl. Roy said, "Are you kidding? I'm not going to even pick mine up as long as HE'S here.
My grandfather played in the band with Lester and Earl way back in the 40's, before they were Lester Flats and Earl Scruggs and before Nashville. They played in a honkytonk called Charlie's Place in Columbus Georgia. Grandad and Lester kept in touch until they died. This was back when musicians were truly gifted and breaking new ground. They were clearing paths for our generation of stars. God bless them all.
I understand the stunned look on your face as you listened to all of these top-rank musicians jamming with the king of the banjo. There's just so much talent here, and it's not some slickly produced arrangement. It's a bunch of friends who respect each other's talent, taking their turn to shine, one after the other. If anyone asks you, "What is bluegrass music?" just show them this video.
My late grand-Uncle was a Bluegrass Boy for Bill Monroe in the 50's. My Mother remembers Earl coming to the house and playing music with my Uncle on the weekends he didn't have a gig. They were great friends.
It makes me so happy when the younger generation appreciates bluegrass. This level of musicianship is why the older generation hates today's music. I grew up listening to Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Roy Clark, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. I strongly suggest you attend a folk and bluegrass festival (we have one every September in Pagosa Springs, CO). It will blow your mind.
Now this is the music I grew up on (the original). I can close my eyes and see my dad's family sitting around the dining room table playing and singing. It grew tiresome at the time but now I am so grateful for that kind of childhood. I never thought I'd miss it as badly as I do now.
That band is made up of the best in country music. I imagine the cost to have them show up for this one song would’ve cost over $1,000,000.00. But when they got the call, I bet they all donated their time. Earl was that respected.
Charlie McCoy on harmonica, Randy Scruggs on acoustic guitar, yes actor and comedian Steve Martin on banjo. Fun fact, Steve met John McEuen in the early 60s when they were teenagers and Steve was working at the magic shop at Disneyland. John was banjo player for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band a few years later. They learned they were both interested in banjo and played together and remained friends. Steve got the Dirt Band on SNL and John introduced Steve to amazing musicians. Harry Stinson was staff drummer on the American Music Show on TNN years ago and has played with Marty Stuart for probably 25 years. He also had a beautiful singing voice. There's not a weak link in this group anywhere. Every one of them is a first class picker. Charlie McCoy also plays guitar very well. Earl, Vince, Charlie, Marty are all members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
I don’t care much for bluegrass or country music as a whole but, this performance is far beyond either of those genres. Love seeing Steve Martin and Leon Russell performing together!
It was Steve Martin. He is a virtuoso on the banjo. I always look forward to hearing hi banjo playing. I actually had my hands on the single of King Tut. The "B" side was Steve Martin Playing the banjo. It was exellent!
this is truly an all-star lineup. Steve Martin, Earl Scruggs, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas, Leon Russell, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Albert Lee--these are all great musicians in their own rights
They are so talented. I have this song on my playlist and anytime I want to go fast, that's the song for me. BTW, this was the song/music that was constantly played during the movie Bonnie & Clyde (everytime they were speeding away). Love it.
They are not keeping time with each other, but with the groove of the song. The all mighty groove is something they all have mentally attached to and they are as much riding a wave as playing instruments. The groove dictates how this goes, the only thing they have together is the fun and the "show off-manship" with each other's turns to solo.
@@wagonmaster1974Vince calls it white, so I go with what the man says. I should think he knows the difference. In fact, it’s the same ‘53 white blackguard tele Vince has had since the ‘80s.
Jerry Douglas on dobro, Vince Gill and Albert Lee on electric guitars, Marty Stuart on mandolin, Charlie McCoy on harmonica. Didn't recognize acoustic guitar player (I'm ashamed of myself ).these artists are among the musical gods.😊
Flatts and Scruggs did the theme song for the Beverly Hillbillies TV show. And I can't believe they had Shafer playing piano with Leon Russell sitting right there.
Earl Scruggs was the man seated. He wrote Foggy Mountain Breakdown and first recorded it in December 1949. Mr. Scruggs also revolutionized banjo playing by introducing the three finger picking style (Scruggs Style) picking used by most banjo players today. Truly a legend. Thanks for the great review.
What an All-Star lineup! Among the others, there's Leon Russell on piano, and British (yes, BRITISH) Bluegrass icon Albert Lee on the red (Fender Stratocaster?) guitar! Doesn't get any better than this!
sorry to be a smart-ass but its not a Strat - it's a Music man "" I've watched him play it many times in concert !! - just saying ! Phenomenal Guitarist !
Probably the most talented bunch to ever play together. Each one is great in the own right simply amazing. Paul Schaefer playing bluegrass how awesome is that
It is a true jam session among friends of caliber. Earl is possible the only banjo player the could match Roy. Ands because Foggy Mountain Breakdown is his song maybe even surpass Roiy on this one. They are not only friends but PROS.
Steve Martin is soooo freakin good on that banjo!!!! Guy on piano was David Letterman’s sidekick when he had a late night show!! This is really cool!!!
This is the ultimate bluegrass jam…Go to a Bluegrass Festival and walk around from impromptu jam session to impromptu jam session… enjoy the experience..it is spontaneously spectacular.
I took tenor banjer lessons at age 12 (not sure why, but it seemed like a fun idea at the time)..... During high school years, bought Flatt and Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Banjo" album when it first came out......Dang near wore that slab of vinyl out..... Huge fan of bluegrass from then on (now a 78 yr old grinning geezer)....
Flatt and Scruggs performed together for years. Both have passed on now. Foggy Mountain Breakdown used to be my ringtone! That hit, it makes me see fog... They also did the theme song for the old sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.
Actually..... No . They share common roots all the way to the British folk Ballads, but this is different from what actual mountaineers were playing on the front porch in the 1800's ( Not picking on BG , I play it , albeit badly , just reporting the history .) The old time stuff was a variety of tempos , and more of playing together rather than trading flashy solos ( aka Breaks ) . Guitars were not common or absent ..Dulcimer and autoharp were common . Banjos were played Clawhammer aka Frailing style . Banjos had open backs , and Scruggs himself invented the 3 Finger , Scruggs style of playing associated with BG . Resonator Banjos weren't invented until 1920 . Also, the Dobro wasn't invented until 1927 . And the BG playing style was invented in late '40s , when Josh Graves adapted Earl Scrugs style 3 Finger to the Dobro . Bluegrass as a genre was created by one person . Bill Monroe circa 1947 , as an art form distinct from generic string bands .
What you may not have been told: traditionally, a breakdown is all improv. The first musician lays down a lick or three as a foundation, and then each musician in turn plays the same lick, then improvs around it. Now granted, this is probably the most well known breakdown in bluegrass, so they're probably just leanng into their previous plays. But still, imagine it: the greatest collection of country, bluegrass and jazz musicians that the country could gather in one recording studio, all improvising together? How could it not be mind-blowing?
The cat on the piano is Paul Shaffer, led the band on “The David Letterman Show” for many years.. He’s legit good, obviously. This video is loaded with talent.
Some of the best of the best country, bluegrass and others have to offer. Love Marty Stuart on Mando, Vince Gill on guitar and Steve Martin playing along Earl Scruggs
When folks are telling you to listen to the original, they aren't necessarily talking about this recording. This is an awesome recording, but the original was done by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs. Look them up. There are many great Bluegrass musicians from many years ago. When I was a kid, my dad would take the family to Bluegrass festivals, and I would sit with and listen to the greats like Flatt & Scruggs, The Osborne Brothers, and The Stanley Brothers. It was incredible to watch all of them, and they always gave each member in the group a chance to do a solo in the song. Check them all out.
These are ALL very famous musicians!! And are perfectionists in their own rights, none are slowing down and not playing, they are all playing quite fast during the whole set. I'm just AMAZED how they got them ALL together at one time with their busy schedules. They did it for the respect of Earl Scruggs I know, but scheduling and getting them all together was an amazing feat!
Scruggs is a good musician. Think he & Roy Clark may have played together at the Grand Ol Opry, dunno for sure. Glad you found him, brings back fond memories! Thanks Michael, we'll done! 👍
The pianist was Paul Shaffer from Jay Leno‘s tonight show. And I didn’t learn this until long after my high school band days, but piano is considered a percussion instrument because you strike it. I was thought it was a string instrument because the strings were inside but it’s considered percussion because you hit it. There’s another version of this that was at I think it was the CMA awards where Carl Perkins announces the greatest unknown band ever and you will only hear it once. A lot of the same people were in that and it didn’t go on nearly as long as the people in the audience had hoped, but it also had Roy Clark and Jerry Reed and Steve Wariner.
Blue Grass music has been around forever, but Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were really the first ones to take Blue Grass music off the back porch and introduce it to the wider world. I remember first seeing them on the old Beverly Hillbillies TV show when I was a kid (giving away my age) and thinking why have I not heard this stuff before. It`s great music.
A little side note on Paul Schaffer, the pianist from Late Night with David Letterman: low key, he was one of the most prolific and respected session players in the music business for literally decades. He can be heard, sometimes even uncredited, on literally hundreds of recordings by other artists. His ability to play any style, any genre any mood or concept was legendary. In the rock movie 'Decline of Western Civilization' people often wondered why he appeared at all, not being a metal or punk performer...but the hidden truth was that he had played on many of their albums. When someone needed a piano/keyboard on short notice for a recording session...Paul showed up with his A game every time.
Father was a drummer back in the day, knew Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones (used to come to BBQ's), etc.. We spent a lot of time at music festivals, concerts and shows! Some of my favorite pics in our family album was of us with Mom backstage having a popcorn fight with both Flatts & Scruggs!!!
Earl Scruggs wrote that song. It’s Foggy Mountain Breakdown. The musicians here are the best. The guy on the piano is Paul Shaffer. These guys are brilliant ❤
All of the guys playing are MASTERS at what they do. I see-:albert lee, vince gil, randy scruggs. Steve martin, and more i know . But not the names just now. FIRE!! -GOATS! Blue grass genius every last one. Paul shaffer? On key board. GOD, who aint here..? Classic. And lets not forget the man.. earl Scruggs legends! One and all. ! ! Lov lov lov it! Classic
All of these people are very famous in the world of music. Paul Shaefer on the piano was an orchestra leader, Steve Martin the comedian on banjo, Leon Russell with the flowing white hair.
Bluegrass, is what the style of music is called, it was named after Bill Monroe's band, "The Bluegrass Boys" who started playing as a group in the 1940's Earl Skruggs and Letser Flatt were members on that band.
lots of ppl didnt know steve martin is extremely gifted on the banjo and Paul Schaffer on the piano you’ll recognize was on the late night with david letterman he had his band on there
Earl Scruggs is probably played this song many thousands of times in his very long career. They used to go to all the county fairs and do a whole Southern circuit where they would go and play all the venues a night in every town. Go all the way back to the 50s and these guys used to ride in station wagon‘s in these long convoys or they were get lucky and be able to buy a bus.
The man sitting in the middle Earl Scruggs a legend of blue grass hillbilly music.He and Lester Flatts recorded this in 1950.The people in this video: on piano Paul Shaffer band leader from LateNight with David Letterman, the keyboardist Leon Russell,second banjo:Steve Martin,harmonica:Gary Scruggs,Guitars Randy Scruggs,Vince Gill,Albert Lee,mandolin Marty Stuart,and on the dobro Jerry Douglas.
This can arguably be called a bluegrass super group.
What she said. Peace, Love!!
You left out Leon Russell playing the keyboard with the cowboy hat and white hair.
@@gwilli9511 no I didn’t read it again
you left out the drummer, Harry Stinson.
Nobody’s done it, so in order of solo appearance: Earl Scruggs on banjo, Glen Duncan on fiddle, Randy Scruggs on acoustic guitar, Steve Martin on banjo, Vince Gill on telecaster, Marty Stuart on mandolin, Gary Scruggs on harmonica, Albert Lee on telecaster, Paul Schaffer on piano, Jerry Douglas on dobro, Leon Russell on keyboard. And the drummer is Harry Stinson.
Albert Lee was NOT playing a Telecaster. His red guitar is an Ernie Ball Music Man. Has his [Albert Lee] name on it, includes Albert Lee [Seymour Duncan] custom wound pickups. It is made of solid ash. Plays like no other guitar I've ever held!
I was honored to get to see The Earl Scruggs Review in 1972 at Cal Poly Pavilion in San Luis Obispo, CA. Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks opened for them! Mind blowing!!
An awesome lineup. I was surprised not to see Ricky Scaggs.
@@wagonmaster1974thank you, I wasn’t sure about that!
Thanks
😮 this is an all star band. Some of the greatest musicians on the planet.😅
Which is what it takes to outplay Roy Clark. 😅
@@farmhome904 Roy was indeed good with multiple (or any) stringed instrument, but he can't outplay anyone on that stage except for Steve and Randy on their individual instruments. No way he touches any of the others, including Vince.
In Earl's biography, he was on Hee Haw one time and someone asked Roy if he was going to play the banjo with Earl. Roy said, "Are you kidding? I'm not going to even pick mine up as long as HE'S here.
My grandfather played in the band with Lester and Earl way back in the 40's, before they were Lester Flats and Earl Scruggs and before Nashville. They played in a honkytonk called Charlie's Place in Columbus Georgia. Grandad and Lester kept in touch until they died. This was back when musicians were truly gifted and breaking new ground. They were clearing paths for our generation of stars. God bless them all.
Wonderful story!
Fantastic and awesome! What a flurry of activity in Foggy Mountain Breakdown!❤❤❤
I understand the stunned look on your face as you listened to all of these top-rank musicians jamming with the king of the banjo. There's just so much talent here, and it's not some slickly produced arrangement. It's a bunch of friends who respect each other's talent, taking their turn to shine, one after the other. If anyone asks you, "What is bluegrass music?" just show them this video.
Everyone in that band is legendary.
The music of my people. ❤❤❤❤
My late grand-Uncle was a Bluegrass Boy for Bill Monroe in the 50's. My Mother remembers Earl coming to the house and playing music with my Uncle on the weekends he didn't have a gig. They were great friends.
It makes me so happy when the younger generation appreciates bluegrass. This level of musicianship is why the older generation hates today's music. I grew up listening to Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Roy Clark, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. I strongly suggest you attend a folk and bluegrass festival (we have one every September in Pagosa Springs, CO). It will blow your mind.
Now this is the music I grew up on (the original). I can close my eyes and see my dad's family sitting around the dining room table playing and singing. It grew tiresome at the time but now I am so grateful for that kind of childhood. I never thought I'd miss it as badly as I do now.
That band is made up of the best in country music. I imagine the cost to have them show up for this one song would’ve cost over $1,000,000.00. But when they got the call, I bet they all donated their time. Earl was that respected.
Charlie McCoy on harmonica, Randy Scruggs on acoustic guitar, yes actor and comedian Steve Martin on banjo. Fun fact, Steve met John McEuen in the early 60s when they were teenagers and Steve was working at the magic shop at Disneyland. John was banjo player for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band a few years later. They learned they were both interested in banjo and played together and remained friends. Steve got the Dirt Band on SNL and John introduced Steve to amazing musicians. Harry Stinson was staff drummer on the American Music Show on TNN years ago and has played with Marty Stuart for probably 25 years. He also had a beautiful singing voice. There's not a weak link in this group anywhere. Every one of them is a first class picker. Charlie McCoy also plays guitar very well. Earl, Vince, Charlie, Marty are all members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Harry Stinson played drums and sang with the 70s band Silver. He's on over 500 albums by others.
No. That's Earl's son Gary on harmonica
I don’t care much for bluegrass or country music as a whole but, this performance is far beyond either of those genres. Love seeing Steve Martin and Leon Russell performing together!
The old fellow sitting and playing the banjo is Earl Scruggs the author of the tune .
It was Steve Martin. He is a virtuoso on the banjo. I always look forward to hearing hi banjo playing. I actually had my hands on the single of King Tut. The "B" side was Steve Martin Playing the banjo. It was exellent!
The drummer is Harry Stinson who is Marty Stuart's drummer.
I remember the flatt and scruggs show back in the '60s when I was a kid my grandma used to watch it in Kentucky all the time. Great talent
You need to get the 1962 album Flatt and Scruggs at Carnegie Hall in CD format with the entire show.
I love this video so much! Love Paul Schaffer on the piano, Steve Martin on the banjo, an all the others. Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, etc. Just great!!!
It's and all star lineup of Bluegrass and Country musicians.
This song gained enormous fame after it was featured as the getaway music in the 1967 movie "Bonnie and Clyde".
The song was first recorded by Lester and Earl and The Foggy Mountain Boys in 1949. Earl wrote it. Changed opinions about "Bluegrass" music.
This is common in folk music jam sessions. Each person has a moment to shine and then slides back into the group.
this is truly an all-star lineup. Steve Martin, Earl Scruggs, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas, Leon Russell, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Albert Lee--these are all great musicians in their own rights
They are so talented. I have this song on my playlist and anytime I want to go fast, that's the song for me. BTW, this was the song/music that was constantly played during the movie Bonnie & Clyde (everytime they were speeding away). Love it.
They are not keeping time with each other, but with the groove of the song. The all mighty groove is something they all have mentally attached to and they are as much riding a wave as playing instruments. The groove dictates how this goes, the only thing they have together is the fun and the "show off-manship" with each other's turns to solo.
Your favorite piano guy is PAUL SHAFFER the band lead for the original SNL and later, LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN
The tall guy with the white telecaster is Vince Gill. He’s a huge star. Incredible voice. Check him out.
It's a blonde Tele, not white. He makes it sound like no other!
@@wagonmaster1974Vince calls it white, so I go with what the man says. I should think he knows the difference. In fact, it’s the same ‘53 white blackguard tele Vince has had since the ‘80s.
and he's a great golfer! i got to caddie for him one time and he hit some fantastic shots. he seemed like a nice guy too.
the friends are: Steve Martin, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, Marty Stuart and Earl's sons Gary and Randy Scruggs, Leon Russell
Forgot Marty Stuart
see above after albert Lee@@Nana_Reads
Music at it's best. And I love rock & roll
All the musicians featured are worth looking into and Pickers idolize Earl Scruggs.
Jerry Douglas on dobro, Vince Gill and Albert Lee on electric guitars, Marty Stuart on mandolin, Charlie McCoy on harmonica. Didn't recognize acoustic guitar player (I'm ashamed of myself ).these artists are among the musical gods.😊
The late Randy Scruggs, son of Earl Scruggs, is the acoustic guitar player. His brother Gary plays the harmonica. He died in 2023.
The literal centuries of experience in the room is mind boggling
The greatest gathering of the top musicians in blue grass and country music having a jam. Great post, good luck on you channel.
Flatt & Scrruggs first made this song famous, but Lester Flatt died in 1979.
Flatts and Scruggs did the theme song for the Beverly Hillbillies TV show. And I can't believe they had Shafer playing piano with Leon Russell sitting right there.
They made many appearances on the show, too!
They also did the Petticoat Junction theme song.
Earl Scruggs was the man seated. He wrote Foggy Mountain Breakdown and first recorded it in December 1949. Mr. Scruggs also revolutionized banjo playing by introducing the three finger picking style (Scruggs Style) picking used by most banjo players today. Truly a legend. Thanks for the great review.
What an All-Star lineup! Among the others, there's Leon Russell on piano, and British (yes, BRITISH) Bluegrass icon Albert Lee on the red (Fender Stratocaster?) guitar! Doesn't get any better than this!
sorry to be a smart-ass but its not a Strat - it's a Music man "" I've watched him play it many times in concert !! - just saying ! Phenomenal Guitarist !
@@aidiess No problem. I know it wasn't a Telecaster, and it didn't quite look like a Strat (hence the '?') Thanks! ✌💀
He's playing his signature Ernie Ball Music Man👍🏼🔥
Probably the most talented bunch to ever play together. Each one is great in the own right simply amazing. Paul Schaefer playing bluegrass how awesome is that
At 75, I've been playing banjo for over 55 years...this is my favorite song.
The musicians playing with Earl Scrugg in this clip are Steve Martin, Vince Gill and Marty Stuart feat. Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas and Leon Russell.
These are some of the best musicians you will find anywhere.
The style of banjo being played is scruggs style. Earle scruggs invented one of the most popular banjo playing styles. Legend!
That's Earl sitting in the middle holding court.
You don't get how many unbelievable Country artists there are. They are awesome.
Marty Stuart on Mandolin, Vince Gill first guitar Leon Russell with long White hair and beard on keyboard, the rest I see pretty well listed
i recommend earl scruggs and lester flatts some early early blue grass.they did the original of this song
It is a true jam session among friends of caliber. Earl is possible the only banjo player the could match Roy. Ands because Foggy Mountain Breakdown is his song maybe even surpass Roiy on this one. They are not only friends but PROS.
This is probably my favorite recording of this song.
Pretty freaking epic 👍👍
Steve Martin is soooo freakin good on that banjo!!!! Guy on piano was David Letterman’s sidekick when he had a late night show!! This is really cool!!!
All of these guys are so famous in the US they don't need name tags lol
Steve Martin is an excellent banjo player 💙👵🏼✌🏼
This is bluegrass at it’s finest
Thanks!
Thanks jaine!! 😃
"OK, your turn to shine."
Yup, that's what a "breakdown" is.
Brilliant, every one of 'em!
This is the ultimate bluegrass jam…Go to a Bluegrass Festival and walk around from impromptu jam session to impromptu jam session… enjoy the experience..it is spontaneously spectacular.
I took tenor banjer lessons at age 12 (not sure why, but it seemed like a fun idea at the time)..... During high school years, bought Flatt and Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Banjo" album when it first came out......Dang near wore that slab of vinyl out..... Huge fan of bluegrass from then on (now a 78 yr old grinning geezer)....
Flatt and Scruggs performed together for years.
Both have passed on now. Foggy Mountain Breakdown used to be my ringtone! That hit, it makes me see fog... They also did the theme song for the old sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.
This was in the movie “Bonnie and Clyde” starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty! Check it out. It’s still a classic ❤
Bluegrass is part of the very foundation of the beginning of country music.
And then the beginning of rock after country.
Actually..... No .
They share common roots all the way to the British folk Ballads, but this is different from what actual mountaineers were playing on the front porch in the 1800's ( Not picking on BG , I play it , albeit badly , just reporting the history .)
The old time stuff was a variety of tempos , and more of playing together rather than trading flashy solos ( aka Breaks ) .
Guitars were not common or absent ..Dulcimer and autoharp were common . Banjos were played Clawhammer aka Frailing style . Banjos had open backs , and Scruggs himself invented the 3 Finger , Scruggs style of playing associated with BG . Resonator Banjos weren't invented until 1920 . Also, the Dobro wasn't invented until 1927 . And the BG playing style was invented in late '40s , when Josh Graves adapted Earl Scrugs style 3 Finger to the Dobro .
Bluegrass as a genre was created by one person . Bill Monroe circa 1947 , as an art form distinct from generic string bands .
This is music, these are the best of the best
What you may not have been told: traditionally, a breakdown is all improv. The first musician lays down a lick or three as a foundation, and then each musician in turn plays the same lick, then improvs around it.
Now granted, this is probably the most well known breakdown in bluegrass, so they're probably just leanng into their previous plays. But still, imagine it: the greatest collection of country, bluegrass and jazz musicians that the country could gather in one recording studio, all improvising together? How could it not be mind-blowing?
There are so many "Hot Damn" musicians in bluegrass. Just keep searching.
It's so cool to have a young guy react to these fantastic musicians. I'm glad I knew about this a long time ago.
The man playing the bandjo by himself is Steve Martin!
Michael sitting wide-eye and slack-jawed - yep, that's how everyone reacts watching pure talent banging away and living the dream. Cheers....
The short piano player leads the band on Lettermen's late night show !!!!
Paul The Shiv Schaefer
Yee-haaaaaaa!! SO MUCH TALENT present!
The cat on the piano is Paul Shaffer, led the band on “The David Letterman Show” for many years..
He’s legit good, obviously.
This video is loaded with talent.
Some of the best of the best country, bluegrass and others have to offer. Love Marty Stuart on Mando, Vince Gill on guitar and Steve Martin playing along Earl Scruggs
When folks are telling you to listen to the original, they aren't necessarily talking about this recording. This is an awesome recording, but the original was done by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs. Look them up.
There are many great Bluegrass musicians from many years ago. When I was a kid, my dad would take the family to Bluegrass festivals, and I would sit with and listen to the greats like Flatt & Scruggs, The Osborne Brothers, and The Stanley Brothers.
It was incredible to watch all of them, and they always gave each member in the group a chance to do a solo in the song.
Check them all out.
These are ALL very famous musicians!! And are perfectionists in their own rights, none are slowing down and not playing, they are all playing quite fast during the whole set. I'm just AMAZED how they got them ALL together at one time with their busy schedules. They did it for the respect of Earl Scruggs I know, but scheduling and getting them all together was an amazing feat!
I'm speechless. Yes, I've heard the song many times but these guys just blew my socks off. Steve Martin was the biggest surprise!
band of the greatest musicians on the planet!! and Amazing that Steve Martin one of the greatest Comedians is also one of the greatest Banjo players!!
The shocked look on your face is priceless. This 5ge kind of music we grew up with
They keeping up with each other because they’re really good! These are the best of the best right here.
one of my all time heroes on the red "Musicman" guitar - the inimitable Albert Lee - one of the greatest country guitarists of all time !
Great reaction to a great song!
Scruggs is a good musician. Think he & Roy Clark may have played together at the Grand Ol Opry, dunno for sure.
Glad you found him, brings back fond memories!
Thanks Michael, we'll done! 👍
Brother great reaction. This is an all star super group!
So much laid back energy!!!!! Gentleman, we have liftoff!
The pianist was Paul Shaffer from Jay Leno‘s tonight show. And I didn’t learn this until long after my high school band days, but piano is considered a percussion instrument because you strike it. I was thought it was a string instrument because the strings were inside but it’s considered percussion because you hit it. There’s another version of this that was at I think it was the CMA awards where Carl Perkins announces the greatest unknown band ever and you will only hear it once. A lot of the same people were in that and it didn’t go on nearly as long as the people in the audience had hoped, but it also had Roy Clark and Jerry Reed and Steve Wariner.
BLUE GRASS again !!!! This is a great group of musicians playing a Blue Grass classic
Check out the most famous unknown band, also you asked what the style was on the Scruggs is called blue grass.
Blue Grass music has been around forever, but Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were really the first ones to take Blue Grass music off the back porch and introduce it to the wider world. I remember first seeing them on the old Beverly Hillbillies TV show when I was a kid (giving away my age) and thinking why have I not heard this stuff before. It`s great music.
I love their music, but am really enjoying your expressions as you get to hear great music
A little side note on Paul Schaffer, the pianist from Late Night with David Letterman: low key, he was one of the most prolific and respected session players in the music business for literally decades. He can be heard, sometimes even uncredited, on literally hundreds of recordings by other artists. His ability to play any style, any genre any mood or concept was legendary. In the rock movie 'Decline of Western Civilization' people often wondered why he appeared at all, not being a metal or punk performer...but the hidden truth was that he had played on many of their albums. When someone needed a piano/keyboard on short notice for a recording session...Paul showed up with his A game every time.
There was SO MUCH talent in that room!
this is great to see all these talentent people play together
Father was a drummer back in the day, knew Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones (used to come to BBQ's), etc.. We spent a lot of time at music festivals, concerts and shows! Some of my favorite pics in our family album was of us with Mom backstage having a popcorn fight with both Flatts & Scruggs!!!
Earl Scruggs wrote that song. It’s Foggy Mountain Breakdown. The musicians here are the best. The guy on the piano is Paul Shaffer. These guys are brilliant ❤
All great musicians having a blast! ❤❤
Lots of amazing talent!!!!!
All of the guys playing are MASTERS at what they do. I see-:albert lee, vince gil, randy scruggs. Steve martin, and more i know . But not the names just now. FIRE!! -GOATS! Blue grass genius every last one. Paul shaffer? On key board. GOD, who aint here..? Classic. And lets not forget the man.. earl Scruggs legends! One and all. ! ! Lov lov lov it! Classic
This gives me chills and makes my hair stand on end!!!!!🎉❤
I loved your reactions and comments to Earl Scruggs and Friends "Foggy Mountain Break down!❤❤
All of these people are very famous in the world of music. Paul Shaefer on the piano was an orchestra leader, Steve Martin the comedian on banjo, Leon Russell with the flowing white hair.
I love this video it's some of the best musicians of all time there ...
By my count, the drums are being played at about 150 bpm in triplets.
Bluegrass, is what the style of music is called, it was named after Bill Monroe's band, "The Bluegrass Boys" who started playing as a group in the 1940's Earl Skruggs and Letser Flatt were members on that band.
lots of ppl didnt know steve martin is extremely gifted on the banjo and Paul Schaffer on the piano you’ll recognize was on the late night with david letterman he had his band on there
Earl Scruggs is probably played this song many thousands of times in his very long career. They used to go to all the county fairs and do a whole Southern circuit where they would go and play all the venues a night in every town. Go all the way back to the 50s and these guys used to ride in station wagon‘s in these long convoys or they were get lucky and be able to buy a bus.
Steve fkng Martin on the banjo!!! Yes!
And you have Marty Stewart and so many others. Just the best crew ever.
This is a bluegrass jam on steroids, the best of the best!
thanks for identifying them, who is the drummer, because i agree with michael he was amazing
Steve Martin is the comedian/actor with the white hair playing banjo. Paul Shaffer is the piano guy from David Letterman’s show.