Fresh Air: Grand Ole Opry At 100 – Earl Scruggs & Loretta Lynn

Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: Terry Gross, David Bianculli
Guests: Earl Scruggs (2003 archival interview), Loretta Lynn (2010 archival interview)
Special Theme: Celebrating the centennial of the Grand Ole Opry by revisiting classic interviews with two of its legendary members.

Overview

This episode commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry by exploring the lives and legacies of two icons: bluegrass banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs and country superstar Loretta Lynn. Through archival interviews with Terry Gross, the episode goes in-depth on their music, innovations, and personal journeys that mirror the evolution of country and bluegrass within Opry history.

Segment 1: Earl Scruggs – Bluegrass Innovator

Timestamps: 00:17–19:48
Interview originally recorded in 2003

Early Life & Musical Origins

• Depression-era Upbringing: Lost his father at age 4; Scruggs’ family “worked from daylight till dark” on the farm before he himself moved into a factory job.

  “On the farm you work from daylight till dark, and the factory you work eight hours. So I thought that was great.” —Earl Scruggs, 02:52

• Self-Taught Style: Had no radio as a child, learned banjo from his father at home and played traditional tunes with his brother.

  “As far as the style of banjo that I play, nobody had played it before me...I had a three finger roll. Later been called Scrugg style.” —Earl Scruggs, 03:21

Developing the ‘Scruggs Style’

• Three-Finger Picking: Details the mechanics of his innovative banjo technique:

  “It’s a little misleading...say three fingers. It’s actually two fingers, middle and index finger and your thumb.” —Earl Scruggs, 04:29

• Musical Epiphany: Discovered his unique way of playing during an aimless, dream-like session in the 'front room' at home.

  “It was like having a dream and wake up, you’re actually playing the tune.” —Earl Scruggs, 05:30

Breakthrough with Bill Monroe and Creation of Bluegrass

• Transforming the Bluegrass Boys: Scruggs’ joining in 1945 was pivotal in creating the bluegrass sound.

  “He just did the type tunes that would make the banjo sound good...nobody had heard that kind of a banjo picking. So it caught on real fast.” —Earl Scruggs, 06:35

Founding Flatt & Scruggs / 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown'

• Life with Bill Monroe: Grueling travel; constant touring in a car, long hours, suitcases as home.

• Lester Flatt: Initially just bandmates, later partners after both left Monroe, forming the Foggy Mountain Boys.

  “We never had talked about starting the show ourselves...Lester turned in his notice...he said, why don’t we get on a radio station...and try it as a group ourselves.” —Earl Scruggs, 10:36

• Writing 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown':

  “That’s just a simple song that I probably wrote in 10 or 15 minutes...but nothing like 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown.'” —Earl Scruggs, 11:47

• Film Fame: Warren Beatty contacted him about a tune for “Bonnie and Clyde” but ended up using the original Mercury recording of 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown.'

  “He said he didn’t want me to write anything because he’d found a tune that he thought fit what he wanted…” —Earl Scruggs, 12:10

Opry and Media Presence

• Early Radio: Describes grueling schedules and the importance of live radio—even daily shows at 5:45 AM.
• Martha White Sponsorship: The band's commercial jingle became so popular it was even requested at shows; Scruggs sings it on air.

  “Now you bake bright with Martha White, goodness gracious, good and light Martha White for the finest biscuits, cakes and pies…” —Earl Scruggs, 15:24

Instruments & Legacy

• The 'Earl' Banjo: Gibson named five signature models after him; Scruggs is loyal to his original, decades-old banjo.

  “I’m playing a banjo that I’ve been playing since back in the late 40s, I guess, early 50s.” —Earl Scruggs, 18:22

• Attachment to Instrument:

  “It produces the sound that my ears are looking for...I feel at home with it when I take it out of the case.” —Earl Scruggs, 19:16

Segment 2: Loretta Lynn – Country’s Storyteller

Timestamps: 22:23–42:20
Interview originally recorded in 2010

Humble Beginnings & Reluctant Start

• First Song, First Hit: Loretta’s “Honky Tonk Girl” was her songwriting debut, penned in 20 minutes on a $17 guitar her husband bought for her; says she would not have pursued music without his push due to extreme shyness.

  “I was too bashful. I wouldn’t get out in front of people…if your husband didn’t say that’s what you should do?” —Loretta Lynn, 24:27

• Songwriting Process:

  “I just sat down with my guitar...I was leaning up against the old toilet out there...and I sat there and wrote 'Honky Tonk Girl' and 'Whispering Sea.'” —Loretta Lynn, 24:54
  “I figured, well, if they can write, I can too. So I just, hey, I’m going to tell a story. And that’s what I did.” —Loretta Lynn, 25:05

Life Before and After Fame

• Hardship: Cooking and cleaning for 36 ranch hands while raising four children by age 24.

  “I cleaned and cooked for 36 ranch hands.” —Loretta Lynn, 26:39
  “Life was hard.” —Loretta Lynn, 26:53

• Grand Ole Opry Debut: Handled first appearance as if she was still singing at home, to keep nerves in check.

  “I just got on there with my guitar and I sang...I never thought about it being the Grand Ole Opry because if I had have, I wouldn’t have been able to have done it.” —Loretta Lynn, 27:25

Honest Songs, Inspired by Real Life

• Songwriting Evolution: By her 1966 hit “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ with Lovin’ on Your Mind,” she felt experienced.

  “When I wrote 'Don’t Come Home and Drinking,' I knew I could write because I’d had quite a few on the charts by that time.” —Loretta Lynn, 28:35

• Marriage: Says her late husband is reflected “in every song” in ways big and small.

  “Still is. I mean, if I write a song, he’s in there somewhere.” —Loretta Lynn, 28:48

• Direct Inspiration:

  “Well, sure. If a man drinks, he’s going to come home drinking. He liked drink.” —Loretta Lynn, 28:58

Mentorship from Patsy Cline

• Fashion and Friendship: Patsy Cline advised on stage attire (“get out of the jeans”), but left performance style for Loretta to develop herself.

  “She taught me a lot how to dress...I’d get in the back seat and put on my dress. Then I’d take the dress off and go back into my jeans.” —Loretta Lynn, 31:03
  “I think it’s best for every artist to learn on their own...I don’t think anybody else can teach you that.” —Loretta Lynn, 31:24

Trailblazing Lyrics and The Pill

• Breaking Taboos: “The Pill,” recorded in 1972 but released in 1975, addressed birth control head-on—controversial in country circles.

  “This old maternity dress I’ve got is going in the garbage. You’ve set this chicken your last time because now I’ve got the pill.” —Loretta Lynn, 33:36

• Autobiographical Impact:

  “Well, I sure didn’t like it when I got pregnant a few times. You know, it’s hard for a woman to have so many kids...Yeah, I was a little angry.” —Loretta Lynn, 34:43

• Personal History: She had six children and miscarried three, learning about birth control only later in life.

  “Well, if I’d have had it, I’d have used it...back when I was having all the kids, we didn’t have birth control pills. Or if they did, I didn’t know anything about them.” —Loretta Lynn, 36:31
  “When I got pregnant, you didn’t even know the word...We didn’t call it pregnant. Back in Butcher Holler, there was a lot of things we didn’t know.” —Loretta Lynn, 36:48

Later Years & Artistic Renewal

• Collaboration with Jack White: In 2004, she released the 'Van Lear Rose' album, produced by Jack White, who was thrilled to finally work with her.

  “He says, well, how about me coming being the produce? I said, well, why not? That’s how we got together.” —Loretta Lynn, 37:35

• Songwriting Approach:

  “Well, you know, I don’t like to talk about the way I write songs. I just let people hear and know what I’m talking about.” —Loretta Lynn, 38:35

Coping with Loss

• Husband’s Influence and Grief: Her husband’s death in 1996 left a void—he was her motivator and believed in her voice.

  “He always kept me moving. And if it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have been singing, period, because he thought I could sing.” —Loretta Lynn, 41:00

• Marriage Realism: Their often turbulent relationship was, to Loretta, simply real:

  “We had a. I think we had a relationship. We fought one day and would love the next. So I mean, to me, that’s a good relationship. If you can’t fight and if you can’t tell each other what you think, your relationship ain’t much anyway.” —Loretta Lynn, 41:46

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Earl Scruggs on bluegrass roots:

  “That was long before anybody had tagged it as bluegrass. It was just country music.” (08:34)

• Loretta Lynn on the Opry debut:

  “If I had have [thought about it being the Grand Ole Opry], I wouldn’t have been able to have done it.” (27:25)

• On living and losing:

  “I’m not famous. I’m just me.” —Loretta Lynn (37:14)

• Loretta Lynn on marital honesty:

  “If you can’t fight and if you can’t tell each other what you think, your relationship ain’t much anyway.” (41:46)

Musical Highlights

• [02:00–02:24] “Feast Here Tonight” – Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs
• [07:32–08:22] “Bluegrass Breakdown” – Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys, Scruggs on banjo
• [13:37–14:16] “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” – Original recording, Flatt & Scruggs
• [23:10–24:06] “Honky Tonk Girl” – Loretta Lynn
• [29:14–30:15] “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” – Loretta Lynn
• [35:16–36:33] “The Pill” – Loretta Lynn
• [38:55–40:35] “Miss Being Mrs.” – Loretta Lynn with Jack White

Final Thoughts

This celebratory episode underscores how the Grand Ole Opry has shaped—and been shaped by—pioneers like Scruggs and Lynn: artists whose personal grit, singular musical voices, and candid storytelling both forged new musical paths and brought real-life stories to a national audience.

For those new to bluegrass or country, this Fresh Air episode offers a vibrant, firsthand introduction to two of its most formative figures, their music, and their often humble, hardscrabble paths to the spotlight.

For more:

• Explore Opry performances by Flatt & Scruggs and Loretta Lynn
• Check out Loretta Lynn's “Van Lear Rose” (produced by Jack White)
• Listen to classic “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Honky Tonk Girl” recordings