Ricky Skaggs

In 1982, Ricky Skaggs charged onto the country music scene with four No. 1 hits and two Country Music Association awards. That same year, Rounder Records released Family and Friends, Ricky's tribute to his roots--the bluegrass and gospel music of his Eastern Kentucky heritage. Since then, Skaggs has gone on to become one of the most popular and respected musicians on the planet. Now, 15 years after his last Rounder release, Ricky Skaggs returns to Rounder Records and the music he loves with a simple message: "Country rocks--but bluegrass rules!" Ricky was born into a musical family on July 18, 1954 in rural Eastern Kentucky. He received his first mandolin from his father, Hobart, at age five, and by the time he was seven he had performed on Flatt & Scruggs popular television show. 

His big break came when he and his childhood friend, Keith Whitley, were discovered performing Stanley Brothers songs--by none other than Ralph Stanley himself. In 1970, he and Keith joined Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. After four years with Ralph, Ricky relocated to the Washington, D.C. area, where he played fiddle with the Country Gentlemen. He then joined J.D. Crowe & the New South (which also included Tony Rice and Jerry Douglas). Skaggs and Douglas left to form the short-lived but influential Boone Creek, who recorded albums for both Rounder and Sugar Hill Records. He then became an integral pat of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band, singing harmony, playing mandolin and fiddle, and arranging her classic Roses In The Snow lp. 

In 1980 Ricky moved to Nashville and signed with Epic Records. Ricky's exciting new sound took fans of real country music by storm. While his own production resulted in recordings that sounded vibrant and contemporary, he continued to pay respect to his roots, making No. 1 hits out of songs like Flatt & Scruggs' "Crying My Heart Out Over You" and Bill Monroe's "Uncle Pen." To date, he has tallied 18 Top 10 songs and 12 No. 1s. 

The country music industry made him one of the most awarded artists around. In 1982 he became the youngest member of the legendary Grand Ole Opry and received both the Horizon Award and Male Vocalist of the Year 
Award from the Country Music Association. In 1985 he received the coveted CMA Entertainer of the Year Award. He has won a total of eight CMA trophies and four Grammy awards. He was even named one of the top 100 guitarists of the century by Musician magazine--not bad for someone who first made his mark on the mandolin and fiddle! In the 90s, Ricky has become one of the most visible ambassadors for country music worldwide. As the creator and host of Monday Night Concerts on TNN, each week Ricky brings together, at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium, the best musicians from the country world with the greatest talents from rock, bluegrass and roots music. For the past three years, Skaggs has also served as the master of ceremonies at the International Bluegrass Music Association awards show. 

These days, Ricky and his band are in constant demand at bluegrass festivals and venues around the country. Ricky's fine mandolin playing and high, lonesome singing are backed by an airtight band. As evidenced on their Rounder debut, Bluegrass Rules!, Kentucky Thunder is one of the most hard-driving and accomplished bluegrass bands on the scene today. 

When he's on the road, Ricky likes to scour vintage clothing stores and indulge his passion for photography. Time on the tour bus is passed by viewing Ricky's comprehensive collection of Marx Brothers and Three Stooges videos. He is also an accomplished fisherman. Ricky and his wife, singer Sharon White (of the Whites) have four children, Molly, Luke, Andrew and Mandy. 

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