David Bianculli

Along with guitarist Lester Flatt, he was half of the duo responsible for such bluegrass standards as Foggy Mountain Breakdown and the theme to the Beverly Hillbillies.

In 1945, Scruggs joined Bill Monroe's band, the Bluegrass Boys, the band that virtually invented bluegrass.

He made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry that same year with Monroe's band, which included Lester Flatt.

In 1948, Flatt and Scruggs left Monroe to form their own group and became one of the most popular acts in country music.

Their hit, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, became even more famous when it was used on the soundtrack of the 1967 movie Bonnie and Clyde.

In 1969, Earl Scruggs formed his own band, the Earl Scruggs Review, with his sons Gary and Randy.

Earl Scruggs died in 2012.

Terry Gross spoke with him in 2003.

He had just released a CD called The Three Pickers, which featured Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs.

Here's a song from that album, Feast Here Tonight.

It's been my pleasure.

Bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs speaking to Terry Gross in 2003.

He died in 2012.

We'll hear from another country artist, Loretta Lynn, after a break.

And Justin Chang reviews the new documentary, My Undesirable Friends, Part One, last air in Moscow.

I'm David Bianculli, and this is Fresh Air.

We're marking the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.

One of its biggest stars was the beloved and influential country singer Loretta Lynn.

She was famous for her singing, her songwriting, and her life story, told in the 1980 film Coal Miner's Daughter.

The film was adapted from Lynn's memoir, which described how she grew up in poverty in eastern Kentucky, became a wife at age 15, and after having four children, started writing songs and performing.