Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame is welcoming a new member, George Shuffler, and an induction ceremony is to be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013, during the 39th Annual Bill Monroe Hall of Fame and Uncle Pen Days Festival in Bean Blossom, Indiana.

The 88-year-old North Carolina native is known best for his role in the development of the bluegrass guitar crosspicking. At a young age he joined the Bailey Brothers and played at the Grand Ole Opry when he was just 17. He later collaborated with the Stanley Brothers, and some of his notable early works include songs such as “Wildwood Flower” and “Finger Poppin’ Time.” He continued to work with the Stanley Brothers on several other albums, playing prominent crosspicking solos as the lead guitar on their acclaimed album, “Good Old Camp Meeting Songs.” The scope of his influence is evident when listening to the works of Clarence White, Steve Kaufman, Eric Thompson and the Clinch Mountain Boys.

Though he doesn’t play as often as he used to (he nearly quit the music biz “for good” – even selling all of his instruments to prove he was done) he still lives and Valdese, North Carolina, and plays bluegrass and gospel from time to time. His legacy endures through his crosspicking style, and bringing the guitar to prominence in the bluegrass.

Previous Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees include Lester Flatt, The Sullivan Family and the Osborne Brothers. Congrats to you, Mr. Shuffler!

— Kelsey Leck