GRAMMY-winning guitarist, producer, and songwriter Randy Scruggs died on April 17 following a brief illness as reported by Music Row. Scruggs, the son of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs, wrote hits for Earl Thomas Conley, Sawyer Brown, produced songs with Alison Krauss and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and played on recordings by Dolly Parton and George Strait. He was 64.
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Born into a musical family, Scruggs began performing at a young age as a duo with his brother, Gary, and then with his father as a trio called the Earl Scruggs Revue. The group had a Top 30 single in 1979 with "I Could Sure Use The Feeling."
Scruggs found success in the '80s and '90s as a songwriter, penning hits with country star Earl Thomas Conley and having more than 100 of his songs cut by the likes of Sawyer Brown, Deana Carter and Martina McBride.
As a guitarist, Scruggs earned four GRAMMY Awards between 1989 and 2004, all for Best Country Instrumental Performance for the songs "Amazing Grace, "A Soldier's Joy," "Foggy Bottom Breakdown," and "Earl's Breakdown." Throughout his illustrious career, he played on recordings by a wide range of artists such as Johnny Cash, Wilco, Dixie Chicks, Pam Tillis, Miranda Lambert, and George Jones, among others.
Scruggs would go on to become a studio owner in Nashville where he cut records by Charley Pride, Don Williams, Jason & The Scorchers, Tanya Tucker, Ronnie Milsap, and more. More recently, Scruggs' guitar playing could be found on Johnny Cash: Forever Words, a new collection of songs derived from lyrics left behind by the late Cash, as well as recordings by Loretta Lynn, Kellie Pickler and Bobby Bare.
Members of the music community took to Twitter to express their deep respects for Scruggs, including Mark O'Connor, Charlie Daniels, and Lisa Loeb.
"Randy continued his family's musical legacy and was one of Nashville's most esteemed producers and session players, leaving a lasting mark on Music City," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and collaborators during this difficult time."
While no funeral service is planned, details of a memorial event are expected to be announced at a later date. Contributions in Scruggs' name can be made to MusiCares or the T.J. Martell Foundation.
