Ricky Skaggs’ life has been defined by music. Born July 18, 1954, in Cordell, Kentucky, he began playing mandolin at age five and by six was performing alongside bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe. By seven, he appeared on TV with Flatt & Scruggs. In 1971, he entered professional music with Keith Whitley in Ralph Stanley’s band, later joining J.D. Crowe & the New South and leading Boone Creek.
In the late 1970s, Skaggs shifted toward country, joining Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band before launching a solo career. His 1981 album Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine produced multiple #1 hits, leading to 12 chart-toppers in the 1980s, eight CMA Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), and induction into the Grand Ole Opry as its youngest member at the time. Chet Atkins credited him with “single-handedly” saving country music.
In 1997, he founded Skaggs Family Records, producing 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated albums—eight of which won—cementing his role in the roots music revival. Highlights include Bluegrass Rules!, Ancient Tones, and Soldier of the Cross, plus collaborations with Bruce Hornsby, The Whites, and Barry Gibb. His band, Kentucky Thunder, has won multiple IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year honors.
Skaggs has produced for artists like Dolly Parton and Hillary Scott & The Scott Family, earning his 15th Grammy as a producer. His accolades include inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame, as well as the National Medal of Arts in 2020.
A mandolin and fiddle virtuoso, Skaggs blends bluegrass, country, gospel, and beyond, preserving tradition while pushing boundaries. Decades after his first stage appearance, he remains a tireless ambassador for American roots music, performing worldwide with the same heart and mastery that first turned heads in Kentucky.
Highway 40 Blues
Honey (Open That Door)
Same Old Train
Cajun Moon
Uncle Pen
Appeared on TV with Flatt & Scruggs at age seven.
Joined Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys with Keith Whitley in 1971.
Recorded with J.D. Crowe & the New South in 1975.
Transitioned from bluegrass to country in late 1970s career shift.
Joined Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band before launching solo country career.
Released debut country album Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine in 1981.
Performed on Grand Ole Opry stage as youngest inductee in 1982.
Hosted AllStar Bluegrass Celebration* on PBS in 2002 nationwide.
Joined Dixie Chicks for high-profile bluegrass tour in early 2000s.
Participated in 41-city Down from the Mountain tour in 2002.
Collaborated live with Bruce Hornsby, mixing piano and bluegrass instrumentation.
Performed with Ry Cooder and Sharon White on gospel-country tours.
Won 15 Grammy Awards across bluegrass, country, and gospel categories.
Earned eight CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1985.
Kentucky Thunder won multiple IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year awards.
Received National Medal of Arts in 2020 from U.S. government.
Inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Inducted into Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame the same year.
Member of Gospel Music Hall of Fame since earlier career.
Inducted into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame.
Produced Grammy-winning Love Remains for Hillary Scott & The Scott Family.
Credited by Chet Atkins with “single-handedly” saving country music’s tradition.
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