Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt both began their professional careers with the legendary Bill Monroe as part of his group The Bluegrass Boys. Leaving Monroe's band at nearly the same time they formed their own group: Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys. Earl's name became synonymous with his innovative three finger picking style which has come to be known as "Scruggs style".
Their recording of "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" (theme to the TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies") topped the Billboard country chart--the first bluegrass record to do so.
2. Chet Atkins
Answer: Guitar
Among the many awards Chet Atkins received during his distinguished career his 1993 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award was the one he was most proud of according to several interviews he gave. He also received Billboard Magazine's "Century Award" in 1997 for "distinguished creative achievement". In 1996 he was diagnosed with cancer. On June 30, 2001 Chet passed away at the age of 77.
3. Floyd Cramer
Answer: Piano
Floyd Cramer's trademark "slip note" piano style was influenced by the guitar playing style of Mother Maybelle Carter which is known as "hammering on". He began his professional career as a staff pianist for the radio show "Louisiana Hayride, broadcast out of Shreveport, Louisiana. Cramer, Chet Atkins and Boots Randolph toured as "The Masters" in a series of concerts in the 60s and 70s.
His signature song was "Last Date"--an instrumental he composed. It topped out at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1960.
The number one song was Elvis Presley's rendition of "Are You Lonesome Tonight". Floyd was the pianist on that session.
4. Bill Monroe
Answer: Mandolin
Bill Monroe is aptly named the "Father of Bluegrass Music". He began his career playing with his brother Charlie. He was born near Rosine, Kentucky and was the youngest of eight children. His signature song was "Uncle Pen" which he wrote for his uncle Pendleton Vandiver--a fiddle player Bill often accompanied at local dances. Bill stayed with Uncle Pen after his parents passed away.
5. Boots Randolph
Answer: Saxophone
Boots Randolph was born in Paducah, Kentucky but raised in the nearby town of Cadiz. He attended high school in Evansville, Indiana. While serving in the US Army he played saxophone, trombone and vibraphone in the Army Band. In Nashville he recorded for Monument Records as a solo artist, but he can also be heard on recordings by Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison among others.
His signature song was "Yakety Sax", later covered by Chet Atkins as "Yakety Ax".
6. Charlie McCoy
Answer: Harmonica
Charlie McCoy is proficient on several instruments, but he is best known for playing the harmonica. Charlie first went to Nashville at age 18 after living and performing in Miami, Florida. But he was discouraged and returned to Miami and resumed performing there while attending Miami University.
His work can be heard with a diverse number of artists including Elvis, Bob Dylan and Loretta Lynn. Among the many hits that featured his playing was Roy Orbison's "Candy Man".
7. Paul Franklin
Answer: Steel Guitar
Paul Franklin has become one of the premier steel guitar players in the business. He got his start playing steel guitar in Barbara Mandrell's band The Do-Rights. In 2013 he collaborated with Vince Gill on an album called "Bakersfield" featuring songs by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
He and Vince were also members of a county "supergroup" called The Time Jumpers. In addition to performing he has also built several varieties of steel guitars including a dobro with pedals (called the Pedabro) and a baritone steel guitar.
8. Johnny Gimble
Answer: Fiddle
Johnny Gimble was born in Tyler, Texas. He spent nearly ten years as a member of Bob Wills' band The Texas Playboys playing fiddle and electric mandolin. After achieving wide acclaim in Texas he moved to Nashville where he played on many recording sessions.
He toured with Willie Nelson and appeared in Willie's movie "Honeysuckle Rose". In 1999 he, Bob Wills and the other members of The Texas Playboys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as "early influences".
9. Roy Huskey, Jr.
Answer: Upright Bass
Roy Huskey, Jr. was one of the most in-demand upright bass players in Nashville. He began his professional career at age 16 playing bass for Del Wood on the Grand Ole Opry. He toured with Roy Acuff as part of Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys. Among his many achievements in the industry was a Grammy he received as part of Emmylou Harris's Nash Ramblers for their "Live At The Ryman" album in 1992.
In interviews he would often claim that he heard music "in colors".
10. Doc Watson
Answer: Guitar
Arthel Watson was given the name "Doc" by a fan who was in the audience at one of his live radio broadcasts. Watson commented that his name was so unusual he needed an easy nickname people would remember. The fan called out "Call him Doc!" Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes legend Watson instantly adopted the name! Doc was totally blind by his first birthday due to an eye infection.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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