- Earl invented what was to become known as "Scruggs tuners" allowing a quick dropping of the two middle strings from standard to "D" tuning. Originally, they were an extra pair of tuning pegs with cams pushing against the strings with adjustable set screws. This required drilling two extra holes in the peg head. Working with fellow banjo player Bill Kieth they were refined to geared units that simply replaced the two middle tuning pegs. Earl sometimes raised and lowered the strings as he picked them most notably in "Flint Hill Special" and "Earl's Breakdown".
- His wife, Louise Scruggs, who guided her husband's career for more than a half century, was the first female to become an artist booking agent in Nashville.
- Had two sons with Louise Scruggs: Gary Scruggs and Randy Scruggs. They also had a third son, Steve, who killed his wife, Elizabeth, with a pistol, then himself on September 23, 1992. He was their youngest child.
- With Lester Flatt, member of the Foggy Mountain Boys, 1948-1969.
- After the breakup of Flatt & Scruggs, Earl formed the "Earl Scruggs Revue" with his sons: Gary Scruggs and Randy Scruggs. Later, they were joined by Steve.
- As a member of Flatt & Scruggs, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1985).
- He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C (1992).
- Is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most imitated musician. "Scruggs Style" is synonymous with picking a banjo with three fingers, and countless musicians worldwide list him as their primary influence.
- He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 13, 2003.
- Received an honorary degree from Berklee College of Music on March 15, 2005.
- On January 11, 2019, he was honored with a Google Doodle.
- Following his death, he was interred at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Inaugural inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame (1991).
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