Tony Trischka's Earl Jam: A Bluegrass Treasure Unearthed

Deering Banjo artist, Tony Trischka, a towering figure in the banjo world and a major influence on bluegrass music for over 50 years, has released a fantastic tribute album titled "Earl Jam: A Tribute To Earl Scruggs." This project stems from a truly unique discovery - a treasure trove of recordings featuring Earl Scruggs, the pioneer of the three-finger banjo style, jamming with John Hartford in the 1980s and 90s.

For Trischka, Earl Scruggs has been a lifelong inspiration. "Earl is my North Star, a lifetime pathway," he says. Hearing Scruggs' music at a young age led him to switch from guitar to banjo, and he has spent his career studying and innovating upon Scruggs' groundbreaking techniques.

Unearthing a Treasure Trove

Trischka's chance encounter with the jam recordings was a revelation. He meticulously combed through the collection, transcribing Scruggs's solos note-for-note, uncovering previously unknown aspects of the banjo legend's playing. This newfound inspiration fueled a live show at Joe's Pub in New York, where Trischka showcased these unearthed gems and traced Scruggs' career. The show's success caught the attention of Down The Road Records, leading to the creation of "Earl Jam."

The album was released in June 2024, "Earl Jam" features Trischka alongside a star-studded cast of bluegrass luminaries. "Earl Jam" includes Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Michael Cleveland, Mark Schatz, and many more. Together, they breathe new life into Scruggs' music, offering fresh interpretations of classic and previously unrecorded songs.

Banjo Giveaway Celebrating the Release

To celebrate this release, Deering Banjos teamed up with Tony Trischka and the video instrument learning platform ArtistWorks to give away 3 great prizes to fans of his! This giveaway runs from June 13th, 2024 - July 9th, 2024. You can enter for free here!

On June 13th, Tony announced the contest during his performance of the new album live at Joe's Pub in New York City with musicians Michael Daves on guitar, Jared Engel on bass, and Alex Hargraves on fiddle. Take a listen to the full show in the video below!

"Earl Jam" is more than just a tribute album; it's a cross-generational celebration of bluegrass royalty. It honors the enduring legacy of Earl Scruggs while showcasing the talent and creativity of today's leading bluegrass musicians. With rave reviews pouring in, "Earl Jam" is sure to be a landmark release in the genre.

CONTEST PRIZES

GRAND PRIZE WINNER RECEIVES:

• 1 Custom Earl Jam Deering Goodtime Two Deco banjo signed by Tony
• 1 year free subscription to Tony's online banjo course at ArtistWorks
• A signed vinyl copy of Tony's new album "Earl Jam"

2nd PLACE WINNER RECEIVES:

• 3 month free subscription to Tony's online banjo course at ArtistWorks
• 1 ProPik Super-Tone Thumbpick
• 2 ProPik Heritage Fingerpicks
• A signed vinyl copy of Tony's new album "Earl Jam"

3rd PLACE WINNER RECEIVES:

• 1 month free subscription to Tony's online banjo course at ArtistWorks
• 1 ProPik Super-Tone Thumbpick
• A signed vinyl copy of Tony's new album "Earl Jam"