Gasoline Alley by Jim Scancarelli for October 01, 2023

“Timeless” comedy as an immortal character gets a call from the bullpen. And who is this creature snuggled up on Rufus’ bed?

The first three pickers must be Scruggs (no Lester Flatt?), Dr. Stanley and Monroe – quite the Bluegrass Triumvirate. But while I enjoy the music, I’m not too steeped in the history to name them all.

Ruufy’s scared .. wondrin’ what ‘door’ he will go through to join that Heavenly troupe.

Glad Rufus is shown with his kitty again!

Hmm. While that is a most impressive list of legends (and I remain eternally grateful for having seen Professors Monroe and Stanley in concert and having met both of them), it is nonetheless but a representative sampling without the inclusion of two that for my money define the genre: David “Stringbean” Akeman and Wyzee “Y.Z.” Hamilton. The latter was in fact a repeat state fiddle champion in the years prior to his tragic passing in 1936, despite missing two fingers on one hand.

The hot thing in bluegrass these days is a young fella goes by the name Billy Strings. All over the place on YouTube. You should check him out.

A little foreshadowing here? A call from the great beyond, telling Rufus to prepare himself? See you next week!

…and that’s why I don’t answer the phone!

Don’t forget the Great Roy Acuff.

So, I assume that Sundays are throw backs?

At first glance, I thought the call was offering meth

Wished I could talk with my parents from heaven.

Pulled from reference: … John McEuen, whose Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was about to embark on a special project bonding country, bluegrass and rock musicians — what became the bestselling classic “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album. The idea had been to provide exposure to a wider audience for the likes of Mother Maybelle Carter, Roy Acuff, Scruggs, Merle Travis and Jimmy Martin, all pioneering country and bluegrass artists who had been rejected by the modernized Nashville establishment.

As McEuen recalled yesterday in a telephone interview, "When I asked Earl Scruggs if he’d found a fiddler . . . he said, ‘Yes, his name is Vassar.’ As I then didn’t recognize his name, I asked if he could cover it all. Earl’s quiet confidence in his ’He’ll do . . . ’ was, well . . . never was that statement such an understatement. After a couple of days’ rehearsal at Earl’s house, I thought: ‘How are we going to hold up to this guy?’ "

Kitty’s right to be askeered cause he’ll be part of that calamity that brings Ruufy to the celestial Grand Ol’ Opry, the way it yuseta be.

The “Kitty” of many years has always been pure white and I think he’sout of sight in the desk drawer.

But WHO is that gray one?