Earl Scruggs January 6, 1924 - March 28, 2012

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Shelby, N.C. native Earl Scruggs could make a banjo talk. Earl’s innovative three-finger picking style shattered music boundaries and helped shape the sound of 20^th century country music. His hard-driving and groundbreaking style influenced generations and elevated the five-string banjo into almost every genre of music.

Earl was more than just a bluegrass musician, an innovator, husband or father – he was all these things and more. It is evidenced through the outpouring of love that Earl’s legacy and talent affected not only his hometown of Cleveland County, but the world. Destination Cleveland County is proud to have been able to call Earl a friend.

Destination Cleveland County is honored to carry on Earl’s legacy with the development of The Earl Scruggs Center. Earl was incredibly humbled by the Earl Scruggs Center project that will showcase his legacy as well as the music and stories from the American South.

Click here to learn more or donate to the Earl Scruggs Center. 

 

Great music lives forever

and we proudly honor the musical legacy of Cleveland County natives Don Gibson and Earl Scruggs. The Don Gibson Theatre honors country music singer/songwriter Don Gibson who wrote music performed by Patsy Cline, Ray Charles, Elvis and countless others.

The Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories from the American South will open in 2012 and celebrate the rich cultural history and heritage of Cleveland County, reflective of the American South,  through the lens of the life of Cleveland County native Earl Scruggs.  It will also explore the tradition and innovation of this renowned banjo player. His development of a unique 3-finger playing style continues to influence music around the world.

The Earl Scruggs Center will be located at 103 South Lafayette Street on the historic courtsquare in Shelby, NC.  The Don Gibson Theatre is located at 318 South Washington Street, Shelby, NC. 

The legacy of these two musical legends will live on and be cultivated through the projects of Destination Cleveland County, a non-profit organization made up of passionate citizens committed to preserving the legacy of these two musical legends and the cultural heritage of Cleveland County and the region.