News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Bluegrass lovers across the region will gather in Sparta Saturday to celebrate the life and talents of Lester Flatt.
Sparta Bluegrass Musician Blake Williams will host the event. Williams said he first met Flatt through local music festivals and later played banjo in Flatt’s band, “Nashville Grass.”
“He was a great guitar player and one of the most calm, witty, likable MCs that you would ever want to hear on stage,” Williams said. “He had a real, downhome delivery, and he considered the music he played a show.”
Flatt was born in Overton County in 1914 and moved to Sparta at a young age. Williams said Flatt lived in the city until 1969 while playing with Earl Scruggs over that time.
“His contribution to song writing was incredible,” Williams said. “He also perfected a run in the key of G where it sort of sets the timing, and it’s actually identified as the Flatt G run.”
Williams said in December of 1945, Flatt alongside other Bluegrass legends such as Bill Monroe performed at the Ryman Auditorium. Williams said a marker stands outside the location to this day, naming that day the, “Birth of Bluegrass.”
“That configuration of Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Chubby Wise and Cedrick Rainwater hit the stage there in 1945,” Williams said. “(…) So his significance of his role in writing songs and playing in that group gave him a worldwide audience.”
