Burlington, MA — The name Earl Scruggs is synonymous with bluegrass banjo. He joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys in 1944, where he became famous for his trademark three-finger picking style and where he met guitarist Lester Flatt. In 1948 he and Flatt left to form the Foggy Mountain Boys, and later Flatt & Scruggs, who became the most successful instrumental duo in bluegrass history, with seminal recordings including “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” “Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “The Ballad of Jed Clampett.”

Lexington, MA — On Saturday, December 6, the Boston Bluegrass Union kicks off its 33rd concert season with a double dose of pure mountain soul with the pairing of the James King Band along with Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass.

Widely regarded as the two finest male vocalists in traditional bluegrass, King and Paisley dig deep into the Appalachian roots of their music, while adding elements of hard country and southern gospel. The result is some of the most riveting, dynamic, and heart-tugging sounds in bluegrass or any genre.

The European World of Bluegrass Festival is reminding bands that performer applications for the 2009 event are due Nov. 20.

The festival, to be held May 21, 22 and 23 in Voorthuizen, The Netherlands, offers bands an opportunity to perform for festival bookers, agents, concert promoters, radio DJs and music press from throughout Europe — as well as an enthusiastic bluegrass audience.

Louisville, KY — National Champion bluegrass banjo player Sonny Smith will conduct a free banjo workshop for all interested players (and players-to-be) at Steilberg String Instruments in Louisville, Ky., at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17.

Smith is a three-finger devotee who spends most of his time playing banjo and fiddle in the Smokey Mountain Jamboree as well as a regularly performing at Dollywood.