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Tanya Tucker, Old Crow Medicine Show,  Marty Stuart, Yonder Mountain String Band and more to perform

MILL SPRING—The Earl Scruggs Music Festival, held annually at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, announced its 2024 festival lineup on Monday at noon. 

The Earl Scruggs Music Festival 2024 will feature a diverse group of big-name stars and first-class musicians, including Country Music Hall of Famer Tanya Tucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Yonder Mountain String Band and many more. 

The festival has become a beloved tradition among fans of bluegrass and the iconic Earl Scruggs, who pioneered the “three-finger-style” banjo technique, one of history’s most popular methods. Bluegrass Today says that the Earl Scruggs Music Festival “has already risen to the top tier of annual music festivals.” 

“Our goal is to produce music that Earl Scruggs would love, and that includes a wide range of musical styles,” says Festival Producer Claire Armbruster. “And this year’s lineup has a little bit of everything.”

The lineup will feature returning hosts Jerry Douglas and The Earls of Leicester, plus first-time guests The Steeldrivers, Mighty Poplar, Lindsay Lou, Miko Marks and nearly two dozen other acts. Additional programming, including performances by Junior Appalachian Musicians, will be announced at a later date.

“We have several local acts from western North Carolina, such as Tanasi and the Wilder Flower,” Armbruster says. “Peter Rowan and the Sam Grisman Project will play songs from the David Grisman songbook, and acclaimed fiddler Casey Driessen will pick an all-star lineup from Sunday’s performers for the Red Shoe Stringjam. And we can’t forget 14-year-old mandolin player Wyatt Ellis.” 

Now entering its third year, the festival was established in partnership with WNCW 88.7 at Isothermal Community College in Spindale and the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, N.C. A portion of proceeds will support the festival’s beneficiaries, the Earl Scruggs Center and Isothermal Community College, which serve Earl Scruggs’ home region of the Carolina Foothills with cultural programming through multiple channels. 

“We encourage everyone to visit the Earl Scruggs Center. It’s a wonderful space dedicated to Earl and the region,” Armbruster adds. 

The festival will take place from August 30 through September 1. Advance-price tickets are currently on sale, and a variety of General Admission and VIP packages are available. VIP ticket packages include reserved seating in VIP-exclusive indoor and outdoor spaces, exclusive merchandise items, complimentary refreshments and more. On-site camping and cabin rentals are also available for reservation via the festival website. 

The Tryon International Equestrian Center, known for its roster of rotating events including world-class equestrian competitions, festive holiday celebrations and concerts, promises on-site lodging, dining and comfortable amenities throughout the event weekend. 

For full lineup details and to stay up-to-date on the Earl Scruggs Music Festival, visit earlscruggsmusicfest.com.