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  • Oral History

Curly Seckler

November 14, 1986 OHC245 219 min.
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Biography


Bluegrass performer. Born December 25, 1919. Full name: John R. Seckler, originally spelled Sechler. Career most active 1940s-1980s. Longtime mandolin player and tenor singer with Flatt & Scruggs, and later with Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass. Member, International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor.

Interview Summary

1986 November 14
(3 hours, 39 minutes)
Bluegrass musician Curly Seckler (Sechler) describes the development of his career. Discussion includes his childhood; his early musical interests; the development of his musical talent; working for Charlie Monroe; teaming with Tommy Scott; teaming with Leonard Stokes as Leonard & Curly; the Melody Boys; working for Cas Walker at WNOX-Knoxville; working for Lowell Blanchard and the Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round; recording with Charlie Monroe; working with Jim & Jesse; joining Flatt & Scruggs in 1949; working with the Stanley Brothers; working on the Kentucky Barn Dance; recording with Flatt & Scruggs; and memories from the first Flatt & Scruggs Martha White Show.