ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
EARL SCRUGGS MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival honors the life and legacy of American icon and musical legend, Earl Scruggs, who was born in the small Flint Hill community of nearby Cleveland County, NC. It was here in this region, surrounded by a musical family and a host of influences, where Mr. Scruggs laid the foundation for his influential and groundbreaking career. Best known for bringing the “Scruggs style” of playing the 5-string banjo to the world, he crossed musical boundaries and collaborated with artists across musical genres, creating an innovative body of work during his lifetime.
Bringing the best of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music together with fans who have a true appreciation for the music, the Earl Scruggs Music Festival is a multi-day celebration of Mr. Scruggs’ incredible contributions and the rich musical culture of the region.
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival is presented in partnership by the Earl Scruggs Center, a museum and cultural center located in Shelby, NC, and WNCW 88.7 radio station at Isothermal Community College, the greatest advocate of roots music in Western North Carolina. The inaugural festival will take place Labor Day weekend 2022 at the impressive Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC. This unique venue set at the foot of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains offers onsite camping, lodging, restaurants, experiences, and much more.
EARL SCRUGGS CENTER
The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which Mr. Scruggs was born and raised. It was in the nearby Flint Hill community where Mr. Scruggs learned to play banjo and began the three-finger playing style that has come to be known around the world as “Scruggs Style.”
Located in beautiful uptown Shelby, NC, the Earl Scruggs Center explores Mr. Scruggs’ innovative career and the community that gave it shape while celebrating how he crossed musical boundaries and defined the voice of the banjo to the world. Mr. Scruggs embraced tradition while also adapting to the changing times and looking toward the future — themes which resonate throughout the Center. The Center provides educational opportunities and cultural resources to the community and visitors through engaging exhibits, diverse programming, and special event space.
WNCW 88.7, ISOTHERMAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WNCW is a listener-supported public media service of Isothermal Community College, which serves the community through advancing new musical discoveries, showcasing local and regional talent, and preserving and promoting the traditions of Appalachian and roots music in our area and beyond.
The station’s eclectic mix includes Americana, Triple-A rock/acoustic, bluegrass, blues, jazz, reggae, world, and other roots music styles, in addition to weekly spotlights on jam bands, Frank Zappa, and more. Live artist interviews and performances are broadcast frequently from WNCW’s professional recording studio, “Studio B”. As the flagship bluegrass station, WNCW broadcasts contemporary, traditional, and historical bluegrass music for eight hours each Saturday.
Listeners can find WNCW at 88.7 FM throughout most of its listening area, which includes Western NC, Upstate SC and Eastern Tennessee. Translators rebroadcast the signal at 101.3 in Charlotte, 97.3 in Greenville, 92.9 in Boone and 90.9 WSIF in Wilkesboro. The station also has a worldwide audience through its livestream at wncw.org
TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER & RESORT (TIEC)
Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort is the ultimate destination for all who love horses, outdoor living, and an active lifestyle. The 1,600-acre resort is conveniently located within an hour of Charlotte and Asheville and boasts expansive views of the Western North Carolina mountains to the west and bucolic foothills to the east.
Building on a local legacy of equestrian heritage almost a century old, TIEC hosts more than 35 weeks of multi-discipline equestrian competition annually and has welcomed riders from all 50 states and 68 countries. With fun for the whole family, guests can enjoy a variety of onsite lodging, eight restaurants, golf and gun club, spa, and a collection of boutiques and specialty shops. While horses are the core, the resort hosts non-equestrian events such as the three-day Night in the Country Carolinas Music Festival, Saturday Night Lights, the Carolina Pumpkin Spelltacular, Winterfest, and the inaugural Earl Scruggs Music Festival. Learn more and plan your visit online at Tryon.com thisweek or find us on social at @tryonresort.
