Bob Carlin is considered one of the leading experts on the old-time and Bluegrass banjo and has written about a dozen books on the topic. This book on the influences experienced by Earl Scruggs, who died ten years ago, is fascinating. Among those that Carlin profiles are Charlie Parker, John W. Ross, Mack Woolbright, and Fisher Hendley. This book demonstrates conclusively that the three-finger up-picking banjo style did not originate with Scruggs.
Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2022. 212 pages with an Index, Bibliography, Notes, Discography, and photos. Trade paperback.