Lee Brice, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley

Rick Diamond / Sara Kauss / Jason Kempin, Getty Images

A country music legend died on Wednesday. Earl Scruggs, a bluegrass pioneer musically and socially, passed away in a Nashville hospital at the age of 88. Those most impacted — country stars — were quick to take to Twitter to offer thoughts and prayers. Indirectly, every artist has been influenced by Scruggs, who popularized the three-finger banjo playing style. But artists like Dierks Bentley, who is careful to infuse bluegrass into his mainstream country albums, are most closely related.

Chris Young, Brad Paisley, Billy Ray Cyrus and Lee Brice are just four of the dozens of artists who have just learned of Scruggs' passing and commented. Check back throughout the day, as we'll update this post with new messages from the city of Nashville and all of America as we mourn the death of a legend and Country Music Hall of Famer.

 

A country music legend died on Wednesday. Earl Scruggs, a bluegrass pioneer musically and socially, passed away in a Nashville hospital at the age of 88. Those most impacted — country stars — were quick to take to Twitter to offer thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace Earl Scruggs. Thanks for being one of our musical Thomas Edisons.

 

lost one of the pillars of bluegrass music and country music today. rest in peace #earlscruggs! thanks for a lifetime of music to listen to!

 

Turnin the banjo up on hillbillyheart and stomp in honor of Earl Scruggs.

 

RIP Earl Scruggs. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

 

Sad to hear we lost another Music Legend, Earl Scruggs. You will be missed

 

Earl Scruggs…. Thank you. Thank you for doing what you did. Music will miss you forever…

 

Rest In Peace, Earl Scruggs. A member of a lovely, talented family.

 

RIP Earl Scruggs… #legend

 

Sad. Another musical legend has passed. Earl Scruggs died in Nashville at age 88. RIP Earl.

 

We've lost another music legend. Praying for Earl Scruggs family, friends and fans.

 

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