Earl Scruggs Dead: Country Stars React

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.