Below some photos & comments of Albert's collaboration with the late Earl Scruggs including Earl Scruggs Family & Friends, US summer tour 2005.
I
received some photos and reviews from fans & internet friends in
the US who attended and are happy to share, BIG THANX guys also for your
comments and permission to use them ! Some photos from earlier Earl
Scruggs gigs with Albert and stuff from the 2002 Grammy Award are also
added.
Oklahoma Bluegrass Festival 2003
Photo shows Albert with Earl Scruggs.
Earl Scruggs News say: "Working with Earl at The Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie, Oklahoma were Gary Scruggs, Glen Duncan, Rob Ickes, Jon Randall, Mark Beckett and Albert Lee. Thanks to Byron Berline for a great festival."
CD Earl Scruggs And Friends (2001)
August 28, 2001, Label: MCA Nashville
Featuring Albert on 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown'
Reviewed by Kathy Coleman (countrymusic.about):
The album starts out with the comfortable voice of Elton John re-working his old "Country Comfort," with Earl's stalwart banjo, then proceeds with Dwight Yoakam's original "Borrowed Love," his Kentucky voice seeped in authenticity; this is followed by the guttural and oddly comforting old-shoe voice of Billy Bob Thornton rendering "Ring of Fire." As excellent as the beginning is, the disc only gets better from there. Travis Tritt and Gary Scruggs join voices on "True Love Never Dies," Melissa Etheridge gives a soulful performance on "The Angels," and Sting is delightful on "Fill Her Up."
Of course, right in the middle is the fantastic re-working of Earl Scruggs' old standard, "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."
This song deserved a Grammy decades ago, when it first came out under the banner of Flatt & Scruggs. The "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" has been the theme song of movies (notably "Bonnie and Clyde"), and a standard for real country music through the years. Here Earl plays with fellow banjo virtuoso, Steve Martin (yes, the comedian, who still picks a mean banjo), as well as Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas, and Leon Russell. Other "friends" on the final tracks of the disc include Rosanne Cash, John Fogerty, Don Henley, and the great Johnny Cash. This is an album every country music fan MUST have. It's a joy forever.
Grammy Award of 2002.
The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Award was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Winners are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals
from all branches of the recording arts. The 44th Grammy Awards were held on February 27, 2002. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.
Photo shows Albert with the Grammy Award
(photo from Hogan's Heroes official website, widely distributed for the public)
Earl Scruggs born 1924, is noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger banjo style (now called Scruggs style). Albert toured with him from June - Sep 2005 in the USA
"Earl Scruggs, Family & Friends".
Bear Trap Summer Festival at Casper, Wyoming.
"The Beartrap Summer Festival is proud to announce that the legendary Earl Scruggs will perform as Headliner act at the 2005 Festival" (last year it was Ricky Scaggs).
Albert can be seen to the left.
Comments by internet friend redwing from the US who attended:
"I just saw Earl Scruggs and his band, they were in top quality sound. They started the set with "Salty Dog", played until the rain was so bad they had to stop (it was an outdoor event). Then after about 20 min they came back on and played the rest of the show ending with his big hits "Ballad Of Jed Clampett" and "Foggy Mountain Breakdown". Redwing was lucky to get Earl's signature. He says:
"I then met him along with hundreds of others to have him sign an autograph. I said to him "Great show Mr. Scruggs".
Bonnaroo Festival, Manchester/TN - 12 June 2005
Photo published on Earl Scruggs Forum.
Comments by an Earl's fan who attended and whom I asked to give a brief review: "Not only was Earl's performance the best one at Bonnaroo, it was probably the best musical performance I have ever seen. The Ballad of Jed Clampet was unbelievable. And yes! Albert Lee, is most probably the best guitar player in the world at his style of playing. GREAT GOING EARL, will see you again soon. THANKS."
North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival at Cherokee - 17 June 2005.
Photos sent by my internet friend TN Picker from Bristol/Tennessee with a brief review:
"It was a great show and was the first time I got the chance to see him pick in person! Along with Earl are Gary Scruggs, electric bass and vocals; Albert Lee, electric guitar; Bryan Sutton, a great acoustic guitar player from North Carolina; Bobby Hicks on violin also from North Carolina; Jon Randall, guitar and vocals; Jennifer Kennedy "Dobro Gal" on dobro guitar and John Gardner on drums. (same line-up as yesterday in Lenoir). We think you will enjoy this super group of vocalists and musicians. They are all great...."
I really appreciated Mr. Earl taking the time to sign both of those resonators for me. I had to stand in that line twice but I was determined ... I wasn't giving up until I saw the taillights of that tour bus leave! I took some pretty decent pictures, I'm not the best with a camera but I'll try to post a couple tonight when I get home." Many thanks!
Two more reviews by internet friends: "I was there. Just an incredible show. It was very important to me that I see him perform in person, because I never had before. I was there when he arrived and he certainly has slowed down a good bit in terms of his ability to get around. But he was exceptionally gracious with his time signing autographs on the bus and in acknowledging fans when being brought to the stage area. When he hit the stage, it was amazing. They played challenging material and there was no doubt who you were hearing. Amazing to me that tone, timing, etc. is still so distinctively him. He just owned the whole valley and you could tell he truly appreciates the fans. He just pored it all out.
Although his banjo playing is all there, his guitar performance on Paul and Silas may have been my favorite moment of the show. He had some bluesy licks - one of which had Jon Randall shaking his head and laughing. They really have a good time up there. Gary Scruggs sounds just like he did 30 years ago, and Jon Randall and Albert Lee were red hot. They really mesh well as a band. On several songs, you were just sure you were hearing the Review 25 years ago. Anyway, please do not squander the opportunity to go out of your way to see Mr. Scruggs play in person. I didn't take pictures because I really wanted to just listen and I am glad I did."
Tec from the US said: "Yes sir, I was also at the concert in Cherokee NC. It was a blast. He is every bit as good as he always has been. I was impressed with his acoustic guitar player too. That man can really pick a guitar and sing great too. It was an honor to see master Earl for the first time and get his autograph and a picture with him. Thanks for the memories Earl."
Mineral Bluegrass Festival, Mineral, VA.
Jason attended and sent me this review (unfortunately no photos were taken, photo left shows the Mineral Lake): "Yes, I went to Mineral... The show was great! That was the first time I had ever seen Earl live, and I was really impressed! About an hour before the show there was a small line up at Earl's bus and someone was standing at the door reaching stuff up to Earl (who was sitting just inside the door at the top of the steps). Earl would autograph the item and then the guy at the door would reach it back out. I guess I was really lucky to get that done before the show, because after the show when he announced he would be signing back behind the stage for as long as he could stand. I went back stage and there was about 300 people lined up. I would have liked to stay and got a picture with him but I had a long drive back so I regretfully headed home...."
Telluride Bluegrass Festival - Sep 2005.
That's what Earl said about Albert: "I have been a fan and admirer of his guitar work from the first moment I heard him play. I am constantly amazed at his talent. I am sure there are many guitar players who have been influenced by his style and will continue to be influenced for years to come. Albert .... is in every sense of the word a genuine guitar wizard."
More review from gigs where no photos are available:
1. A review from someone who went to see the Lenoir show.
Memories of Lenoir:
I would like to thank Earl Scruggs and his Family and Friends Band for coming to Lenoir, N.C. this past Friday. What a great show this was! The memory of that night will last a life time. I sat on the 3rd row center and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I am learning to play banjo and this was a shot in the arm for me. Earl and the band played from 7:30 until 9:15. I never took my eyes off of that stage. It was just simply awesome! Earl's Family and Friends were, Gary Scruggs, Bobby Hicks, Jennifer "Dobro Gal" Kennedy, Albert Lee, Bryan Sutton, Jon Randall, and John Gardner.... I encourage anybody out there that hasn't seen this great show to go see it. I look forward to seeing them again soon! (shortened)
2. Greenville, N.C.
Chris and Andy attended:
Chris said: Just caught the show in Greenville NC with my 15 year old son - himself an aspiring banjo student. Awesome is all I can say...Who was the fiddle player? Thanks, Chris
Andy:
Bobby Hicks was the fiddle player. Bobby is from North Carolina. He played in Ricky Skaggs band for several years and earlier with some of the other bands in Nashville. He is a great fiddle player. I have been playing a banjo for several years and I have seen a lot of Earl Scruggs' shows, but I have never witnessed such a concert as I saw tonight. He and the band just keep getting better and better. I am planning to take some friends to Alexandria, Virginia next Thursday to see them again at The Birchmere. This is one show you don't want to miss. Andy.
Chris said: Actually by the time I woke up this morning, I realized that I had Bobby's autograph on a shirt my son won from the local radio station... that's right! We got Bobby's autograph, Albert Lee's, Gary Scruggs, the Dobro Gal's (I used to think there was nothing sexier than a good lookin' girl who could play the stratocaster... I now stand corrected!) and the master's himself, Earl Scruggs... What a great show... wish I could see it again!
Gudrun said: Many thanks for posting, guys.
Earl Scruggs with Family and Friends in concert on Sep 1, 2005 at The Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria, VA.
Review by E.Ridge Boy from the US:
"Just got back from Earl's Birchmere show - got there way early and so sat in the front row six feet from Earl! For this show the band consisted of Albert Lee on electric guitar, John Randall on acoustic guitar (and many lead vocals, including "The Ballad of Jed Clampett"), someone whose name escapes me at the moment on drums, Gary Scruggs on electric bass, Hoot Hestor on fiddle (he's the house fiddler for the Grand Ole Opry), and Jennifer Kennedy on dobro. Well, and Earl on banjo. They played a solid 90 minutes without an intermission, after which Earl sat for an interview with someone from the Smithsonian, and then spent at least 45 minutes signing autographs. That's more than some artists half his age do. I'm already looking forward to seeing him next time he's in the area."
Albert wrote at the end of the tour: "Hi there, Thank you all so much for your support during the USA gigs with Earl, it was good to see you all. Boy, there was a lot of travel. Now I am preparing to travel to the UK, and start work with Bill Wyman. I hope to see my European friends as we travel around."
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Links:
The passing of Earl Scruggs incl. Report about the Grammy Winning
Peter Asher: Songs and Stories / Dates
Neil Sedaka (* 13. März 1939 in New York; † 27. Februar 2026 in Los Angeles, Kalifornien) 
Current band members
