Posted by Jerry Hale on September 09, 19101 at 18:29:40:
I'm 50 now. I remember when I was 4 or 5 that my
grandpa had 2 programs on Friday night that he would
not miss, come hell or high water- the Gillette Friday
night fights and Martha White's Flatt and Scruggs show.
Best I remember it was 1955. Even then, it facinated me
to hear such a machine-smoothe sound produced from a
hand that was not moving, refering to Earl's picking
hand.
Many years later, I subscribed to a magazine that to
the best of my memory, Earl had a column in where he
answered questions from readers. The question was asked
about what ever happened to all the tapes of the old
Martha White shows, that they would be very valuable
today. Earl replied that in those days they didn't know
any better and they just reused the same tape and just
recorded over the previous weeks' show. Gone forever
except the last show.
I recall one other vivid memory of Earl's mezmoriz-ing. I was watching him on TV around 1980. I was so
captivated by that Scruggs magic that I unconciously
applauded in a room that was occupied only by me. It
was a little embarrassing.
Earl, I wish you good health and long life.