Bluegrass Musician. A native of the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee, he ranks as one of the all-time preeminent lead singers of Bluegrass music. Born in Sparta, Tennessee, he left school in 1931 at an early age to work in the local textile mills. While working in the mill, he got a part-time job at radio station WDBJ to perform with "The Charlie Scott Harmonizers." Later he would team up with Clyde Moody and perform a few shows in and around Burlington, North Carolina. It was then in 1943 that he realized that he may have a hopeful career in music and quit textiles to join fulltime with Charlie Monroe's "The Kentucky Partners." His wife, Gladys, also joined and toured with the group. Lester Flatt and his wife moved to Nashville in 1944 and was soon hired by Bill Monroe to play in his "Bluegrass Boys Band" for the next four years. In 1948, he would form a partnership with Earl Scruggs, which would last for twenty one years as the most popular duo Bluegrass act. "Flatt and Scruggs" would breakup over musical differences in 1969. During the early 70's, Lester Flatt teamed with "The Foggy Mountain Boys" to record and perform live shows, including the Grand Ole Opry. In 1975, his health began to decline; however, he still remained fairly active up until November, 1978, when he experienced some serious health problems. He returned to the Opry in March, 1979, and would fall ill again and die two months later in May. "Flatt and Scruggs" will always be remembered as one of the greatest duos in Bluegrass music.
Bluegrass Musician. A native of the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee, he ranks as one of the all-time preeminent lead singers of Bluegrass music. Born in Sparta, Tennessee, he left school in 1931 at an early age to work in the local textile mills. While working in the mill, he got a part-time job at radio station WDBJ to perform with "The Charlie Scott Harmonizers." Later he would team up with Clyde Moody and perform a few shows in and around Burlington, North Carolina. It was then in 1943 that he realized that he may have a hopeful career in music and quit textiles to join fulltime with Charlie Monroe's "The Kentucky Partners." His wife, Gladys, also joined and toured with the group. Lester Flatt and his wife moved to Nashville in 1944 and was soon hired by Bill Monroe to play in his "Bluegrass Boys Band" for the next four years. In 1948, he would form a partnership with Earl Scruggs, which would last for twenty one years as the most popular duo Bluegrass act. "Flatt and Scruggs" would breakup over musical differences in 1969. During the early 70's, Lester Flatt teamed with "The Foggy Mountain Boys" to record and perform live shows, including the Grand Ole Opry. In 1975, his health began to decline; however, he still remained fairly active up until November, 1978, when he experienced some serious health problems. He returned to the Opry in March, 1979, and would fall ill again and die two months later in May. "Flatt and Scruggs" will always be remembered as one of the greatest duos in Bluegrass music.
Bio by: Jimmy Gilstrap
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