The annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival launched its 2026 event over Labor Day Weekend from September 4–6, 2026, at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The opening day featured headlining performances from two Grammy-winning acts: The Earls of Leicester and banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck.
Despite daytime temperatures reaching the mid-nineties with high humidity, crowds gathered at the festival grounds to celebrate the legacy of bluegrass pioneer Earl Scruggs through an evening of virtuoso picking and classic tunes.
The Earls of Leicester Pay Tribute to Flatt and Scruggs
Bluegrass supergroup The Earls of Leicester, led by Dobro icon Jerry Douglas and lead vocalist/guitarist Shawn Camp, delivered a vibrant set of classic Flatt and Scruggs standards. Their performance included beloved numbers such as “Down The Road,” “Big Black Train,” “Salty Dog Blues,” and “Dim Lights Thick Smoke and (Loud, Loud Music).”
Banjo player Russ Carson took on the role of replicating Scruggs' intricate techniques, including the signature tuning peg work on “Flint Hill Special.” Fiddler Johnny Warren and guitarist Shawn Camp added dynamic instrumental power and vocals, closing out their performance with “The Beverly Hillbillies” theme song and “Rolling In My Sweet Baby’s Arms.”
Béla Fleck Leads an All-Star Ensemble
Banjo master Béla Fleck followed on the Flint Hill stage, performing alongside an ensemble of elite musicians. The lineup featured Grammy-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland, fiddler Maddie Denton and mandolinist Harry Clark of East Nash Grass, and a special appearance by Jerry Douglas.
Fleck showcased his signature style across complex original tracks including “Strider,” “When Joy Kills Sorrow,” “Major Honker,” and “Vertigo.” In a highlight moment of the set, Jerry Douglas joined Fleck to perform “Who’s That Knocking At My Door,” a selection honoring their past work together in The Dreadful Snakes.
Fleck is also preparing for the release of his new live album, Live Heart: My Bluegrass Heart At the Ryman, scheduled for release on October 16.
Celebrating Bluegrass Heritage
The festival's opening day offered a balance of traditional classics and modern progressive bluegrass, honoring the lasting influence of Earl Scruggs and inspiring the next generation of musical talent.
