Shuffler, George

GEORGE SHUFFLER

  • From Valdese, North Carolina.
  • Best known as the man who made the guitar solo an integral part of the “Stanley Sound” when he was with The Stanley Brothers in the fifties and early sixties.
  • 1950, was in a comedy group called Mustard and Gravy.
  • 1951, worked in a band with Jim and Jesse McReynolds and Hoke Jenkins
  • Worked with the Stanley Brothers off and on throughout the 1950’s. Developed his “cross-picking” style on the guitar to compliment Carter’s singing. Many considered him “the third Stanley Brother.”
  • After Carter’s death in 1966, he worked with Ralph for a short time, then joined Don Reno and Bill Harrell until 1970.
  • 1970, formed the Shuffler Family Band, with his brothers and children, playing traditional southern gospel music.
  • 1996, received IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
  • 1999, came out of retirement to work with Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys, playing bass (replaced Jack Cooke for several months, when Jack had health problems).
  • 2011, was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
  • 2014, died on April 7, four days shy of his 89th birthday.