You weren’t born a Texan, but at least you married one!

That’s right!  When we got married, I wanted to let Sharon know how much I loved her, so I said, “I guess I’m a ‘drafted-in’ Texan.”  She cocked that leg around, like Texas women do, shifted her weight to that one leg, and said, “You’re not a ‘drafted-in’ Texan.  YOU are a ‘wannabe’.”  So, I knew my limitations right then.

The term “storied career” certainly fits when thinking about Ricky Skaggs.  He is a member of 6 different Music Halls of Fame, and his awards include 15 Grammys, 8 CMA (Country Music Association), 9 ACM (Academy of Country Music), and 13 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association.

And the story continues when Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder perform at Huntsville’s Old Town Theatre on Sunday, August 20^th!

As you think about your career and all you’ve accomplished, what do you hope you’ll most be remembered for?

I move with a lot of faith.  I’m a Christian who believes the Bible and believes what God says.  I pray…I’m not sure I’m the greatest in obedience—sometimes I feel like the Lord drags me kicking and screaming to move forward on the path–but I believe God has more of a purpose for us besides just music.  But music is the vehicle with which we get to deliver the message.  There are people we come into contact with who would never enter a church, but Jesus is for everyone.

I would rather be known as a Christian than as a great player, as a great singer or songwriter, or for awards.

How is that reflected in your music?

We don’t do a “Christian” show—it’s not a Gospel show—but the influence shows.  In this day and time, there are so many people who are so confused, and they’ve heard such horror stories about the church and about the Lord.  It’s not the Lord’s will that any should perish.  We have the opportunity to go into the marketplace and make a difference.  It’s impressive to kids these days to actually see people making their own music and playing an instrument. It’s exciting to me to see people learn that, maybe they have a gift…and it’s in their heart, but it hasn’t really been developed yet.

What’s new and upcoming in your world that folks may be excited to learn about?

Here I am 68 years old, and I’m investing a lot of money into a business with my studio, a place where I’ve recorded for a long time.  It is the place where I do my personal work, but we really want to rebrand it as a working studio open to anyone who wants to rent it.  We’re in the process of a major renovation and hoping it will be available to use by August or September.

In 1997, after Ricky’s then-current recording contract was coming to an end, he decided to establish his own record label – Skaggs Family Records. Since then, Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder have released an amazing 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated classics, (8 of which went on to earn the revered award) while also opening the label to a variety of other musical artists, all the time keeping emphasis on bluegrass and other forms of “roots” music.

Nowadays, people can record at home in their bedroom, but it sounds like that to me when I hear the finished product <laughs>.  The studio will have an enlarged recording space where we can get creative and do a lot of video in there as well, including livestreaming.  It’s pretty exciting.  I felt drawn into it.

What’s your “sweet spot” on tour dates per year?

We don’t really have a set amount.  This year has been our busiest so far.  We did 22 shows in January alone.  It’s the best year we have seen since “the shutdown” we all had to go through.

In recent news, Darin & Brooke Aldridge’s new single, “Jordan,” featuring Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney & bassist Mark Fain hit Bluegrass Today’s Gospel Charts #1 position in June. This song is up for both Gospel Recording of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year honors.

Near the end of our conversation with Ricky, he became reflective.

I did an album back in 2010 called “Mosaic.”  It’s a Gospel album, but it doesn’t sound Gospel.  Some of the songs sound like the Beatles if they’d have gotten born again! <laughing>  My co-producer, Gordon Kennedy, co-wrote all the songs on the project.

There was one song in particular he brought to me late in the project.  It’s called Return to Sender.  It’s not the Elvis song—Gordon had a friend of his who asked him about his father.  Jerry Kennedy was a well-known musician here in Nashville, and he ran Mercury Records for years.  He produced Roger Miller, Jerry Lee Lewis, early Reba stuff… Anyway, his friend said, “Hey Gordon, did your dad play guitar on Elvis’ Return to Sender?”  Gordon said, “No, it was Good Luck Charm.  But you know, I think I want that on my tombstone.”  That opened up an idea to Gordon to write a song that said, “When I’m gone, just return me to the One that sent me here.  Put ‘Return to Sender’ on my tombstone.”

History will say what they want to about me, but it’s what the Lord says about me that’s most important.  I want to be remembered as a man who loved God, loved his family, loved his neighbors, loved his country, and was a patriot.  I’ve got patriot blood running through my veins from the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War…it goes back many generations.  I’m proud of that.  I’m not so proud of how things are right now in our nation, but I have faith, and I believe with all my heart that’s going to turn around.

I’m looking forward to the days and years ahead.  I don’t know how many years the Lord has me on this earth, but He knows.  The Holy Spirit’s gonna speak out of us unless we try to hold it back and quench the Spirit.  I don’t want to do that. 

For more information, visit rickyskaggs.com.  For info about the upcoming local appearance, visit oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org.

BONUS:

Add author to the storied career as well. 

His book, Kentucky Traveler:  My Life in Music is an honest, deeply American story of the power of faith, family, and music from one of America’s most beloved bluegrass and country artists.

Despite the hit singles, gold records, and successful tours, Ricky knew there was more to his mission. With a failed marriage and a sometimes-strained relationship with his children, Ricky had to make a choice. He would follow God’s plan, and rededicate his life to Christ, to his family, and to the music that made him. He would carry the torch lit by his musical heroes Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, and Bill Monroe–and, most importantly, live the life and play the music that would make his mom and dad proud. Telling the intimate stories of a successful career built on passion, drive, and faith, sharing tales of his influences, and fondly recalling the instruments that have shaped his sound over the years and the friendships that have shaped his life, Skaggs paints a unique insider look at the evolution of bluegrass.