Earl Scruggs Center To Open Saturday in Shelby, NC

After a half decade of planning and research, the Earl Scruggs Center—an interactive museum showcasing the life and music of bluegrass legend and Shelby-native, Earl Scruggs—will host the public for a full weekend of grand opening festivities.

The Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories from the American South announced final plans for the dedication and grand opening on Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Located in the 1904 Shelby Courthouse on Court Square in downtown Shelby, NC, the center is home to a variety of exhibits that highlight the music, instruments and region that shaped Scruggs’ distinctive style.

Joined by Governor Pat McCrory, the Scruggs family and well known musical guests, Destination Cleveland County invites the public to experience Shelby and the sounds of bluegrass beginning at 11:00AM on the Uptown Shelby court square.

The weekend festivities, sponsored by Bank of the Ozarks, will include experiential banjo area, live performances throughout downtown, special musical acts, complimentary previews of the center and a formal dedication ceremony at 1:00PM.

“After a half-decade of planning, research and preparation,” said Emily Epley, executive director of the Earl Scruggs Center, “we’re confident that the efforts of our community have coalesced to become an economic and cultural engine for our region.”

The center was made possible by an influx of public and private donations, including a $1.5 million economic development grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, that funded the restoration and complete renovation of the 1904 Shelby Courthouse.

According to Brownie Plaster, chairwoman of Destination Cleveland County, “we are honored to showcase the life and music of banjo legend, Earl Scruggs, while celebrating the vibrant history of the region that shaped his distinctive picking style.”

Later that evening, the center’s sellout tribute, “Remembering Earl: Music & Stories,” will feature an award-winning lineup that includes Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, Jim Mills, Jon Gardner, Gary Scruggs and Randy Scruggs. Emceed by WSM Grand Ole Opry host, Eddie, Stubbs, the event will showcase the sounds and memories of a bluegrass pioneer and industry legend. For more information on the grand opening or plans for the center, visit www.EarlScruggsCenter.org or contact the Earl Scruggs Center staff at (704) 487-6233.

The weekend festivities include:

· Live outdoor performances on Court Square,

· Hands-on banjo experiences,

· A 12:30PM signature performance (under embargo),

· A 1:00PM formal dedication with NC Governor Pat McCrory,

· Exclusive access to the museum at 1:30PM, and

· A ticket-only 7:30PM concert featuring Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes and the Scruggs family.