Burke County’s The News Herald reports that “A bluegrass legend hailing from Valdese will be inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame, honoring his influences as ‘an innovative bass player, guitar stylist and featured vocalist and humorist.’
George Shuffler, 86, doesn’t perform much these days, preferring to spend time on his farm in Valdese. …
“It’s an honor. It’s an absolute honor to have that bestowed upon me,” Shuffler said of the upcoming induction. “I’ve worked at it a long time and didn’t think it’d come to this.” …
It was “just another’s day work” when Shuffler in the mid-1950s created the guitar crosspicking style and walking style bass playing that earned him the award. …
Regarding the walking bass style, “I got tired of, ‘boom, boom,’” Shuffler said with a laugh. “I just wanted to do something different.”
Shuffler thought there should be a bass note for every sound the singers were making, so he worked hard to make it happen. …
Here’s a video by Flatpicking Guitar Magazine in which Shuffler explains his cross-picking style:
Here’s Shuffler playing with Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys at the 2008 MerleFest Bluegrass Festival:
Here’s an interview from earlier this year with Buddy Woodward explaining why Shuffler should be voted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame:
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