Funeral For Banjo Innovator Sunday At Ryman

The funeral for legendary bluegrass banjo artist Earl Scruggs will be Sunday in Nashville.

And with comedian and banjo player Steve Martin, one of his biggest fans, already scheduled to appear on The Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night, the show’s producers are planning a moment to remember the pioneering musician. Scruggs died at 88 of natural causes Wednesday morning.

Flowers were laid on his Hollywood Walk of Fame star Thursday morning as news of his passing continued to ripple through the music community.

“Earl Scruggs was my friend, and he was also a mentor,” country and bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs said in an email. “I met him 50 years ago at the Ryman Auditorium where Bluegrass Music was birthed and ironically where Earl’s funeral service will be held on Sunday. His impact on American music is immeasurable. Nearly every banjo sold from 1946 till today can be traced back to Earl Scruggs’ playing style and the influence he’s had on Bluegrass Music.”

Photo: AP Photo

Performing at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, R.I.

Scruggs’ funeral will be conducted at Ryman Auditorium, once home to the Grand Ole Opry for many years. The service will begin at 2 p.m.

Visitation at the funeral home was scheduled for 3-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The family has asked that donations go to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville or The Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, N.C.