Ricky Skaggs had proven himself in both country and bluegrass music for years before forming Kentucky Thunder in 1997. Skaggs began performing on mandolin in elementary school, wowing local crowds in his native Kentucky. When Bill Monroe came to perform the crowd demanded ‘Little Ricky Skaggs’ join him onstage.
Soon after the seven year old Skaggs was on TV with Flatt and Skruggs and at seventeen he was on tour in Ralph Stanley’s band. Later he played with Emmylou Harris before turning his attention to a solo country career. He excelled, scoring 12 number 1 hits in the 80s and becoming the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry. After winning four Grammys and a CMA Entertainer of the Year Award, Skaggs returned to bluegrass.
In 1997 he formed his own record label and with the new Kentucky Thunder band released his first record, Bluegrass Rules!. Skaggs and the band won their first Grammy with the record in 1998.
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder have maintained a remarkable streak of receiving twelve consecutive Grammy nominations for their albums, winning eight awards. Not limited to bluegrass only, Kentucky Thunder has won awards for their gospel and collaborative albums.
Kentucky Thunder is in their 25th year with Ricky Skaggs who himself is working on his seventh decade as a professional musician. “This group of guys meets my approval every night,” Ricky has this to say about the Kentucky Thunder lineup, “Each and every one of the pickers in Kentucky Thunder totally amazes me in every show…and that, to me, outweighs any award we could ever win.”
