Earl Scruggs, THE Master of the 5-tring banjo died today in a Nashville, Tennessee hospital. Scruggs was 88 years old.

A native of Flint Hill, North Carolina, Scruggs, along with mandolinist Bill Monroe and guitarist Lester Flatt, developed the style of music that today is known as "bluegrass."

It would be impossible to overate his influence on the world of music and every banjo or country artist who has come after him. Even if you're not into that genre of music, even if you've never heard him play, it's most likely that he's had an influence on the music that you do listen to.

Rest in peac Earl-- thanks to you, the Circle will not be broken.
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