CAREER OVERVIEW
2010's
2018
Nov. 14, 2018 – Ricky was honored with a performance at the nationally televised 2018 CMA Awards in Nashville during a special Country Music Hall of Fame tribute with a star-studded medley that Billboard declared as the evening’s “best performance.” The three song medley opened with Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, playing bluegrass classic, “Black Eyed Suzie.” Skaggs then joined Keith Urban and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, pickin’ electric-style through his 1983 chart topper, “Highway 40 Blues.” Skaggs then performed with Brad Paisley on electric guitar, Marty Stuart on mandolin and youngsters “Fiddlin'” Carson Peters and Sierra Hull for a rip-roaring performance of Ricky’s 1985 No. 1 hit, “Country Boy.”
Oct. 21, 2018 – Ricky Skaggs officially became a new member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. At the official Medallion Ceremony held in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theatre, Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks, through tear-filled eyes, formally inducted his musical mentor into the historic institution. Several took the stage to honor Skaggs following his induction. Brooks with Larry Cordle and Sierra Hull saluted Skaggs with “Highway 40 Blues,” Dierks Bentley crooned through “You’ve Got a Lover” and Chris Stapleton bemoaned “The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn.” At the end of the evening, in an unprecedented act, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum then offered Skaggs the honor of playing the instrument of his hero, Bill Monroe. Ricky played upon this famed Gibson F-5 mandolin the moving “Will the Circle be Unbroken” joined by Garth Brooks and the Medallion All-Star Band to conclude this historic and momentous ceremony.
Sep. 27, 2018 – In Raleigh, N.C. at the 29th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, Ricky Skaggs was officially inducted into the IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, the IBMA’s highest honor, by longtime friend and fellow artist, Marty Stuart.
July 25, 2018 – Ricky is announced as an IBMA Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Member for 2018, alongside fellow members Tom T. Hall and the late Dixie Hall, and Paul Williams.
March 30, 2018 – Ricky is inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame at the National Fiddler Hall of Fame Inductee Gala in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
March 27, 2018 – Ricky is announced as a member-elect in the revered Country Music Hall of Fame, Class of 2018, along with the late Dottie West and the late Johnny Gimble.
2017
Oct. 20, 2017 – Ricky was honored with the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation’s Bluegrass Star Award® at the Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cook-Off in the Farmers Branch Historical Park in Farmers Branch, Texas.
May 15, 2017 – Ricky celebrates his 35th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member. The next day, May 16, he plays a special set at the Grand Ole Opry House to commemorate the grand occasion.
Feb. 2017 – Ricky receives his 15th GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album as the producer on the project Love Remains by Hillary Scott and The Scott Family.
2016
Oct. 31, 2016 – Ricky receives the 2016 ASCAP Country Music Founders Award, one of ASCAP’s top honors.
Oct. 26, 2016 – Ricky is inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, voted on by the esteemed musicians in the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Jan. 2016 – Ricky was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lexington Music Awards.
2015
Sept. 2015 – Ricky receives the Americana Music Awards (AMA) Lifetime Achievement Award in the Instrumentalist category.
June 16, 2015 – Ry Cooder, Sharon White and Ricky Skaggs embark upon the critically acclaimed ‘Cooder-White-Skaggs – Songs for the Good People’ tour that features the trio singing gospel, blues and country along with superior musicianship. Backing the trio is Mark Fain on bass, Ry’s son Joachim Cooder on drums, with Sharon’s father Buck White on piano and sister Cheryl White’s harmony vocals. Stops crossing the country include Berklee Performance Center in Boston and Carnegie Hall in New York, with tour dates continuing into 2016.
2014
Sept. 30, 2014 – Hearts Like Ours, the country duet CD with Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White is released on Skaggs Family Records.
April 2014 – Ricky receives the prestigious Applause Award from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, at their 25th Annual President’s Concert.
2013
Nov. 18 & 19, 2013 – Ricky is named as the 2013 Artist-In-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He opens the brand new CMA Theater with his “Country Boy at Heart” show on Nov. 18 and his “Bluegrass Rules” show on Nov. 19 with many special guests on both nights.
Aug. 20, 2013 – Cluck Ol’ Hen [LIVE] by Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby is released on Skaggs Family Records and debuts #1 on the Billboard bluegrass chart.
Aug. 13, 2013 – Ricky’s autobiography, Kentucky Traveler: My Life In Music, is released on !t books, an imprint of HarperCollins publishers.
July 13, 2013 – Ricky receives the 2013 Heritage Award at the Uncle Dave Macon Days Old-Time Music Festival in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
2012
Sept. 25, 2012 – Music To My Ears by Ricky Skaggs is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Sept. 24, 2012 – Ricky Skaggs receives the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Aug. 14, 2012 – Ricky Skaggs is inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the Gospel Music Association (GMA).
May 15, 2012 – Ricky celebrates his 30th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with a special show at the Grand Ole Opry House.
2011
Sept. 27, 2011 – Ricky Skaggs, The Whites and Family release A Skaggs Family Christmas Volume Two on Skaggs Family Records. Included is a Bonus DVD of their Christmas show recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium.
July 19, 2011 – Ricky releases Country Hits Bluegrass Style on Skaggs Family Records.
2010
Dec. 1, 2010 – The song, ‘Return to Sender’ from Ricky’s album Mosaic was nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Song, and the album Mosaic was nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards, receiving major critical acclaim.
Dec. 1, 2010 – Ricky Skaggs Solo: Songs My Dad Loved is honored in the American roots field with a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album.
Aug. 24, 2010 – Ricky releases Mosaic on Skaggs Family Records.
2000's
2009
Sept. 15, 2009 – Ricky releases his all-solo album, Ricky Skaggs Solo: Songs My Dad Loved and debuts #1 on the Billboard bluegrass chart.
July 21, 2009 – Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown, another #1 Billboard country album by Ricky Skaggs is the third album in the Reissue Series to be re-released on Skaggs Family Records.
June 9. 2009 – Waiting for the Sun to Shine, a top-charting country album by Ricky Skaggs is re-released on Skaggs Family Records and is the second album in the Reissue Series.
Feb. 24, 2009 – Highways & Heartaches, Ricky Skaggs’ first #1 Billboard country album is re-released on Skaggs Family Records, the first in the Reissue Series
Feb. 2009 – Ricky Receives the Best Bluegrass Album GRAMMY Award for Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 & 1947.
2008
July 1, 2008 – Ricky releases The High Notes on the Cracker Barrel label.
Apr. 2008 – Ricky receives the Bluegrass Recorded Album of the Year Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award with The Whites for Salt of the Earth.
Mar. 25, 2008 – Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 & 1947 album, a tribute to the ‘Original Bluegrass Band,’ is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Mar. 18, 2008 – Ricky receives an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, making it the third Honorary Doctorate bestowed upon him.
Feb. 2008 – Ricky receives the Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album GRAMMY Award with The Whites for Salt of the Earth.
2007
Sept. 25, 2007 – Salt of the Earth album (Ricky Skaggs and The Whites gospel celebration) is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Mar. 20, 2007 – Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby album is released on Sony Legacy.
Feb. 24, 2007 – ‘CMT Crossroads’ featuring Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby premieres on Country Music Television (CMT).
Feb. 2007 – Ricky receives the Best Bluegrass Album GRAMMY Award for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Instrumentals
2006
Oct. 2006 – Ricky receives the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award for Instrumental Group of the Year with Kentucky Thunder.
Aug. 1, 2006 – Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Instrumentals album is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Feb. 2006 – Ricky receives the Best Musical Album for Children GRAMMY Award with Various Artists for Songs from the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers.
2005
Oct. 18, 2005 – A Skaggs Family Christmas Volume One album (Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Luke Skaggs, Molly Skaggs and Rachel White) is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Oct. 2005 – Ricky receives the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award for Instrumental Group of the Year with Kentucky Thunder.
May 8, 2005 – Ricky receives an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY.
Feb. 2005 – Ricky receives the Best Bluegrass Album GRAMMY Award for Brand New Strings.
2005 – Ricky receives the Kentucky Governor’s National Award.
2004
Oct. 2004 – Ricky receives the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award for Instrumental Group of the Year with Kentucky Thunder.
Sept. 28, 2004 – Brand New Strings album is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Feb. 2004 – Ricky receives the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals GRAMMY Award with Kentucky Thunder for the song ‘Simple Life’ (from Live at the Charleston Music Hall.)
2004 – Ricky is inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
2003
Oct. 2003 – Ricky receives the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award for Instrumental Group of the Year with Kentucky Thunder.
Mar. 25, 2003 – Live at the Charleston Music Hall is released on Skaggs Family Records.
2003 – Ricky is named one of Country Music Television’s (CMT) 40 Greatest Men of Country Music.
2003 – The Three Pickers album with Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs is released by Rounder Records. The recording is from a live one-time event filmed by PBS at the sold out show in the newly restored R. J. Reynolds Auditorium in Winston-Salem, NC (so Doc could try to sleep in his own bed at night) and is the last dated recording of Doc Watson.
2002
Oct. 2002 – Ricky receives the Instrumental Group of the Year Award with Kentucky Thunder from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
Feb. 26, 2002 – Big Mon is re-titled Ricky Skaggs and Friends Sing the Songs of Bill Monroe and re-released with additional tracks on Lyric Street Records.
2002 – Ricky receives an Honorary Doctorate of American Heritage Arts from Hocking College in Nelson, Ohio.
2001
Sept. 11, 2001 – History of the Future album is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Apr. 2001 – Ricky receives the Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award for the song ‘Are You Afraid to Die?’ (from Soldier of the Cross.)
2000
Oct. 2000 – Ricky receives three International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards for Recorded Event of the Year (for Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza), Instrumental Album of the Year (for Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza) and Instrumental Group of the Year with Kentucky Thunder.
Aug. 29, 2000 – Big Mon: The Songs of Bill Monroe album is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Feb. 2000 – Ricky receives the Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album GRAMMY Award for
1990's
1999
Oct. 1999 – Ricky receives an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Award with Kentucky Thunder for Instrumental Group of the Year.
Sept. 14, 1999 – Soldier of the Cross album is released on Skaggs Family Records.
Feb. 1999 – Ricky receives the Best Bluegrass Album GRAMMY Award for Ancient Tones.
Jan. 26, 1999 – Ancient Tones album is released on Skaggs Family Records.
1998
Oct. 1998 – Ricky receives two International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards for Best Bluegrass Album (for Bluegrass Rules!) and for Instrumental Group of the Year with Kentucky Thunder.
Feb. 1998 – Ricky receives two GRAMMY Awards for Best Bluegrass Album for Bluegrass Rules! and for Best Country Vocal Collaboration (with Clint Black, Joe Diffie, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Earl Scruggs, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt and Dwight Yoakum) for the song, ‘Same Old Train.’
1997
Oct. 21, 1997 – Ricky launches Skaggs Family Records, marking his triumphant return to bluegrass with the release of Bluegrass Rules!
July 29, 1997 – Life is a Journey album is released on Atlantic Records.
1996
Feb. 1996 – Ricky receives the TNN/Music City News Award for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Vince Gill and Patty Loveless for the song, ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain.’
1995
Nov. 7, 1995 – Solid Ground album is released on Atlantic Records.
1994
Nov. 1994 – Ricky is named Musician of the Year by the Christian Country Music Association.
1993
Sept. 1993 – Ricky receives the Gospel Voice Diamond Award and the Christian Country Artist of the Year Award.
Aug. 1993 – Super Hits album is released on Epic Records.
Feb. 1993 – Musician magazine cites Skaggs as one of the Top 100 Guitarists of the 20th Century.
1992
Dec. 1992 – Ricky Skaggs Portrait is released via 1-800-COUNTRY
Apr. 23, 1992 – Ricky’s single ‘From the Word Love’ (from My Father’s Son) is released to radio.
Feb. 1992 – Ricky receives the Best Country Vocal Collaboration GRAMMY Award with Vince Gill and Steve Wariner for the single ‘Restless.’
1991
Nov. 25, 1991 – Ricky’s single ‘Same Ol’ Love’ (from My Father’s Son) is released to radio.
Oct. 1991 – Ricky receives the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Vocal Event of the Year Award with Mark O’Connor and the New Nashville Cats featuring Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Steve Wariner.
Sept. 1991 – My Father’s Son album is released on Epic Records.
July 15, 1991 – Ricky’s single ‘Life’s Too Long (To Live Like This)’ is released to radio.
Apr. 25, 1991 – Single ‘Restless’ with Mark O’Connor, Vince Gill and Steve Wariner (from Mark O’Connor & the New Nashville Cats) is released to radio.
1990
July 31, 1990 – Ricky’s single ‘He Was Onto Something (So He Made You)’ (from Kentucky Thunder) is released to radio.
June 1990 – Ricky receives Instrumentalist of the Year at the TNN/Music City News Awards.
Mar. 27, 1990 – Ricky’s single ‘Hummingbird’ (from Kentucky Thunder) is released to radio.
Jan. 1990 – Ricky is named Artist of the Decade by the BBC Radio 2 Listener’s Poll.
1980's
1989
Dec. 1989 – Ricky receives the United Services Organization (USO) 50th Anniversary Award.
Nov. 13, 1989 – Ricky’s single ‘Heartbreak Hurricane’ (from Kentucky Thunder) is released to radio.
Oct. 1989 – Ricky is named Best Country Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine’s 20th Annual Reader’s Poll.
July 5, 1989 – Ricky’s single ‘Let It Be You’ (from Kentucky Thunder) is released to radio.
June 1989 – Ricky receives the Instrumentalist of the Year Award at the Music City News Awards.
June 1989 – Kentucky Thunder is released on Epic Records.
Apr. 1989 – Ricky is named Best Country Instrumentalist by Playboy Magazine Music Poll.
Mar. 21, 1989 – Ricky’s single ‘Lovin’ Only Me’ (from Kentucky Thunder) is released to radio.
1988
Oct. 1988 – Ricky is named Best Country Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine’s 19th Annual Reader’s Poll.
Sept. 20, 1988 – Ricky’s single ‘Old Kind of Love’ (from Comin’ Home To Stay) is released to radio.
May 24, 1988 – Ricky’s single ‘Thanks Again’ (from Comin’ Home To Stay) is released to radio.
March 1988 – Comin’ Home To Stay is released on Epic Records.
Feb. 8, 1988 – Ricky’s single ‘Angel On My Mind’ (from Comin’ Home To Stay) is released to radio.
1987
Oct. 1987 – Ricky is named Best Multi-Instrumentalist by Frets Magazine Reader’s Poll.
Oct. 1987 – Ricky is named Best Country Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine’s 18th Annual Reader’s Poll.
Oct. 1987 – Ricky receives the Country Music Association (CMA) Vocal Duo of the Year Award with Sharon White for the song, ‘Love Can’t Ever Get Better Than This.’
Sept. 14, 1987 – Ricky’s single ‘I’m Tired’ (from Comin’ Home To Stay) is released to radio.
Apr. 1987 – Ricky receives the Edison Award (The Netherlands) for Best Country LP, Love’s Gonna Get Ya!.
Apr. 1987 – Ricky receives the Touring Band of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Apr. 6, 1987 – Ricky’s single ‘Love Can’t Ever Get Better Than This’ with Sharon White (from Love’s Gonna Get Ya!) is released to radio.
Feb. 1987 – Ricky receives the Best Country Instrumental Performance GRAMMY Award for the song ‘Raisin’ the Dickens.’
Jan. 12, 1987 – Ricky’s single ‘I Wonder If I Care As Much’ (from Love’s Gonna Get Ya!) is released to radio.
1986
Nov. 17, 1986 – Ricky’s single ‘New Star Shining’ with James Taylor (from Love’s Gonna Get Ya!) is released to radio.
Sept. 1986 – Ricky’s album Love’s Gonna Get Ya! is released on Epic Records.
Sept. 8, 1986 – Ricky’s single ‘Love’s Gonna Get Ya!’ (from Love’s Gonna Get Ya!) is released to radio.
August 1986 – Ricky is named Most Popular International Solo Act (Male) by Country Music Round Up (England).
April 28, 1986 – Ricky’s single ‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’ from Live In London is released to radio.
April 1986 – Ricky is named Best Country String Instrumentalist by Playboy Magazine Reader’s Poll.
April 1986 – Ricky receives the Touring Band of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
1985
Dec. 2, 1985 – Ricky’s single ‘Cajun Moon’ from Live In London is released to radio.
Oct. 1985 – Ricky is named Instrumentalist of the Year and receives the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award from the Country Music Association (CMA).
Oct. 1985 – Live In London album is released on Epic Records.
Aug. 19, 1985 – Ricky’s single ‘You Make Me Feel Like A Man’ from Live In London album is released to radio.
May 1985 – Ricky receives the Touring Band of the Year Award as well as the Best Specialty Instrument (Mandolin) Award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Feb. 25, 1985 – Ricky’s single ‘Country Boy’ from Country Boy album is released to radio.
Feb. 1985 – Ricky receives the Best Country Instrumental Performance GRAMMY Award for the song, ‘Wheel Hoss.’
Jan. 1985 – Favorite Country Songs album is released on Epic Records.
1984
Oct. 8, 1984 – Ricky’s single ‘Something In My Heart’ from Country Boy album is released to radio.
Oct. 1984 – Ricky receives the Instrumental Group of the Year Award from the Country Music Association (CMA).
Sept. 1984 – Country Boy album is released on Epic Records.
June 25, 1984 – Ricky’s single ‘Uncle Pen’ from Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown is released to radio. This was the first bluegrass tune recorded by a solo artist to hit the #1 position on the Billboard country chart since the chart’s June 1949 inception.
June 1984 – Ricky is named Male Vocalist of the Year by Cashbox Magazine.
June 1984 – Ricky receives the Bluegrass Act of the Year Award at the Music City News Awards.
May 1984 – Ricky receives the Touring Band of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Feb. 28, 1984 – Ricky’s single ‘Honey (Open That Door)’ from Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown is released to radio.
Feb. 1984 – Ricky receives the Best Country Instrumental GRAMMY Award with J. D. Crowe and the New South for the song ‘Fireball.’
1983
1983 – Ricky is selected as Billboard Magazine’s Artist of the Year.
Dec. 6, 1983 – Ricky’s single, ‘Children Go’ with The Whites (from Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown) is released to radio.
Nov. 8, 1983 – Ricky’s single, ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (from Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown) is released to radio.
Oct. 1983 – Ricky receives the Instrumental Group of the Year Award from the Country Music Association (CMA).
Sept. 1983 – Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown album is released on Epic/Sugar Hill Records. Along with albums recorded by Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, and Prince, People Weekly listed this release one of their Ten Best of the ’80’s, the only country music album included on the list.
July 19, 1983 – Ricky’s single ‘You’ve Got A Lover’ from Highways & Heartaches is released to radio.
June 1983 – Ricky receives the Star of Tomorrow Award as well as the Bluegrass Act of the Year at the Music City News Awards.
May 1983 – Ricky receives the Touring Band of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Apr. 5, 1983 – Ricky’s single ‘Highway 40 Blues’ from Highways & Heartaches is released to radio.
1982
Dec. 2, 1982 – Ricky’s single ‘I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could’ from Highways & Heartaches is released to radio.
Oct. 1982 – Ricky not only receives the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Horizon Award (an award that celebrates new talent), but they also crown him their Male Vocalist of the Year.
Sept. 1982 – Ricky’s Highways & Heartaches album is released on Epic Records.
Aug. 19, 1982 – Ricky’s single ‘Heartbroke’ (from Highways & Heartaches) is released to radio.
June 1982 – Ricky receives the Bluegrass Act of the Year at the Music City News Awards.
May 1982 – Ricky is named the New Male Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
May 15, 1982 – Ricky is named the 61st member of the Grand Ole Opry, the youngest member ever to be inducted at that time.
May 3, 1982 – Ricky’s single ‘I Don’t Care’ (from Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine) is released to radio.
April 1982 – Ricky receives the Ralph Stanley White Dove Award.
Feb. 1982 – Ricky is named Radio & Records Best New Artist.
1981
Dec. 22, 1981 – Ricky’s single ‘Crying My Heart Out Over You’ (from Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine) is released to radio.
Aug. 21, 1981 – Ricky’s single ‘You May See Me Walkin’ (from Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine) is released to radio.
May 1981 – Ricky reaches the top of the country charts with the release of Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine on Epic Records.
March 11, 1981 – Ricky’s Single ‘Don’t Get Above Your Raising’ (from Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine) is released to radio.
1980
Fall 1980 – Ricky relocates to Music City. At the time, he was playing fiddle part-time with The Whites, who were based in Nashville.
Skaggs and Rice (Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice) is released on Sugar Hill Records.
1970's
1979
Ricky’s solo project, Sweet Temptation, is released on Sugar Hill Records.
1978
Boone Creek’s One Way Track album is released on Sugar Hill Records.
1977
Ricky joins Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band.
Ricky furthers his recording and performing experience as bandleader for Boone Creek, releasing their self-titled debut on Rounder Records.
1975
(Age 21) Ricky continues to build a reputation for creativity and excitement through live appearances and recordings with acts such as J. D. Crowe and the New South. He appears on the band’s debut album, J. D. Crowe and the New South, for Rounder Records and is widely regarded as one of the most influential bluegrass albums ever made.
(Age 21) That’s It (with Keith Whitley) is released on Rebel Records.
1974
(Age 20) Ricky joins the Country Gentlemen as a fiddle player.
1972
(Age 18) Second Generation Bluegrass with Keith Whitley is released on Rebel Records.
1971
(Age 16) Ricky Skaggs is featured with Keith Whitley on the Clinch Mountain Boys’ album, Tribute to the Stanley Brothers, on Jalyn Records.
1970
(Age 15) Ricky joins Ralph Stanley’s band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, with his close friend Keith Whitley, as a mandolin player/vocalist.
1960's
1961
(Age 7) Ricky makes his television debut on Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs’ Martha White sponsored syndicated TV show, performing both “Ruby” and “Honky Tonk Swing.” He was paid $52.50 for the appearance, earning his first paycheck ever for a musical performance.
(Age 7) Ricky’s parents try to get him a performing spot on the Grand Ole Opry, but they’re told he’s “too young.”
1960
(Age 6) At a Bill Monroe concert in Martha, Kentucky, the crowd requests Ricky be brought on stage to perform. He plays “Ruby” on Monroe’s mandolin and receives a thunderous ovation.
1950's
1959
At age 5, Ricky’s father buys him a mandolin. Within two weeks, and with virtually no instruction, he figures out more than just the basic four chords – he is singing and playing progressions.
1957
At age 3, Ricky sings harmonies with his mother in church and at family gatherings at home.
1954
July 18, 1954 – Ricky Lee Skaggs is born to Hobert and Dorothy Skaggs of Cordell, Kentucky.