Earl Scruggs Music Festival marks third year with star-studded lineup

Published 9:23 am Monday, September 2, 2024

By Grant Langston

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Festival attracts fans from across the country

MILL SPRING—The Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring hosted thousands of fans from all over the country for the third annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival over the weekend. Fans showed up to honor the eponymous bluegrass hero and enjoy music from their favorite performers. 

The event featured two stages of world-class bluegrass, country, Americana, and old-time music. In addition to the performances, the festival featured workshops, a kids’ zone, various dining options, and dozens of vendors.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

“This is the best festival I’ve ever been to,” said Dave McCarthy, who traveled from Virginia to enjoy this year’s celebration. “This is an incredible lineup, good vibes. We’re just so excited to be here.”

This year’s event hosted many national acts, including headliners Yonder Mountain String Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, and country music icon Tanya Tucker. 

The festival also held smaller satellite events, such as ‘The Bluegrass Over Easy Breakfast’ at the Legends Club, which featured a performance by The Faux Paws, and the ‘Bourbon and Bluegrass’ tasting event, which featured members of the Infamous Stringdusters. There were also raffles for guitars, banjos, and mandolins.

Jim and Maryland Maffucci traveled from Queens, New York, to attend the festival for the first time. They were most excited to see Old Crow Medicine Show.

“We’ve been to New Hampshire to see them, and we go to Merlefest every year to see them,” Jim said. “We also really enjoyed Marty Stuart. It’s been an all-around good time. Just a good show.”

Since its inception, siblings Janet and Jim Brightley of Washington, D.C., have attended the yearly celebration. 

“There’s so much good music. I’m going to come back later for Shadowgrass and Old Crow,” Janet said of the exciting lineup on Saturday. “And then A.J. Lee and the Blue Summit; she’s the hottest upcoming female mandolin player, and we just can’t wait to see her.”

Although the weather cooperated most of the weekend, Sunday saw temporary delays due to lightning and thunderstorms near the showgrounds.

“A little rain never hurt anyone,” said Ozzy as he returned to the main stage once the performances resumed. “We’ve had a blast.”

The event honored the late Earl Scruggs, who pioneered a distinctive banjo-picking style and popularized the bluegrass genre, catapulting it to the mainstream. Scruggs would have celebrated his 100th birthday in January.

“Thank you, Earl,” Ozzy said Sunday. “All of these performers have been influenced by him, and this festival is a great celebration of his legacy.”

 

More Arts

Tryon Presbyterian Church to host organ recital

Where is this?

Tryon Concert Association to present TGIF concerts

Lecture on women photographers in Tryon, gallery walk to be held at TACS

Print Article

SportsPlus

  • Polls

    What would you like to see more on tryondailybulletin.com?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...

  • Community Calendar