Funeral for banjo innovator Scruggs is Sunday

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The funeral for legendary bluegrass banjo artist Earl Scruggs will be Sunday in Nashville.

And with comedian and banjo player Steve Martin, one of his biggest fans, already scheduled to appear on The Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday night, the show's producers are planning a moment to remember the pioneering musician. Scruggs died at age 88 of natural causes Wednesday morning.

Flowers were laid on his Hollywood Walk of Fame star Thursday morning as news of his passing continued to ripple through the music community.

Scruggs' funeral will be conducted at Ryman Auditorium, once home to the Grand Ole Opry for many years. The service will begin at 2 p.m.