Composer's Details

Name:
Randy Scruggs
Born:
3.8. 1953

Biography

Guitar player, singer, songwriter, and producer. Born on August 3, 1953, in Nashville, Tennessee. The son of legendary banjo player Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs grew up surrounded by country music icons, including the Carter Family and Johnny Cash. He made his first guitar recording at age 13 and performed often with his father and brother Gary.

In 1970, Scruggs became one of Nashville's most sought-after studio producers and sessions players. He formed his own production company in 1980, collaborating with everyone from Waylon Jennings and George Strait to Alison Krauss.

Scruggs netted his first Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Country Instrumental Performance for his rendition of "Amazing Grace." He released his first solo album, Crown of Jewels (1998), to wide acclaim. That same year, Scruggs won his second Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance for "A Soldier's Joy," an honor he shared with Vince Gill.

Enjoying widespread success, Scruggs was named Country Music Award Musician of the Year in both 1999 and 2003. He added another Grammy Award to his collection in 2001 for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," a collaborative work that included Scruggs, his father, his brother, Glen Duncan, Steve Martin, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas, and Leon Russell.

Teaming up the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Scruggs picked up a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance in 2004 for "Earl's Breakdown." His father, Vassar Clements, and Jerry Douglas also performed on that award-winning song.

In 2006, Scruggs was named the Musician of the Year at the Country Music Awards, making it his third win in this category. He was nominated for this award again the following year. Performing with his father, he contributed to Earl Scruggs's latest live album, The Ultimate Collection: Live at the Ryman (2008).