Prescription Bluegrass Reviews Ricky Skaggs “Music To My Ears”

 

W.J. Hallock has high praise for Ricky Skaggs’ latest CD, Music To My Ears. Read the full review on the Prescription Bluegrass Blog CD Review Page

Ricky Skaggs Set for September Release!

Nashville, Tenn. (August 14, 2012) – Fourteen-time GRAMMY® Award winner Ricky Skaggs will please Country and Bluegrass fans alike with the release of his all-new album,Music To My Ears (Skaggs Family Records).

The new project, set for a September 25 release, is produced by Skaggs and co-produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Gordon Kennedy, famed for penning multiple smash hit songs including Eric Clapton’s “Change The World.”

“This album is ‘Music To My Ears’ and I hope to yours, as well,” says Skaggs. “We’ve flavored it with all of my favorite sounds and I’m excited to have teamed up with some of the best musicians in the business to create this new record.”

A Skaggs Family Christmas Live Comes To RFD-TV December 8 & 9

Light The Fire, Pour Some Eggnog And Stoke Your Christmas Spirit

A Skaggs Family Christmas Live comes to RFD-TVfor airings December 8 and 9.  The hour-long extravaganza features Ricky, his wife Sharon, and their children Luke and Molly, and includes Buck and Cheryl White and Cheryl's daughter Rachel Leftwich. Also performing is Ricky's band Kentucky Thunder along with Jim Gray and the Nashville Session Players. The troupe treats fans to traditional holiday favorites as well as new songs that are sure to become seasonal standards. The special is the perfect accompaniment to a warm fire, sweet eggnog and yuletide cheer.  

Broadcast Dates and Air Times (please check http://www.rfdtv.com/findrfdtv/ to view RFD-TV in your area):

December 8 @ 10 p.m. ET          December 9 @ 4 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET

A Skaggs Family Christmas Brings Magic Of The Season To Schermerhorn On Thursday, December 22

Ensemble Performance Features Extended Family Plus Members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra

A Skaggs Family Christmas brings the magic of the holiday season to Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Thursday, December 22 at 7 p.m.  The ensemble performance features the combined members of the Skaggs and White families in a down-home, Bluegrass-inspired seasonal celebration that is a musical tour de force.  Whether a traditional holiday favorite or a new composition; performed a capella or backed by members of the symphony, Ricky and his extended family bring their remarkable prowess to all.  Fleet-fingered pickin', intricate harmony lines and true joy imbue every note with authenticity and power that is without par. Tickets can be purchased at www.nashvillesymphony.org.

Ricky Skaggs, Marty Raybon, Vince Gill and Others help Mark Twain Benefit CD Make It’s Mark!

'Mark Twain: Words & Music' Benefit CD Package Released by Jimmy Buffett and Mailboat Records, Featuring Star-Studded Cast with Grammy Award-winning Producer Carl Jackson

Mark Twain might best be remembered for his writings about life on the Mississippi River, featuring his most famous character Huck Finn. When Twain died over 100 years ago, he probably never would have imagined some of the world's most renowned actors, musicians, authors and entertainers would come together to celebrate his life. That celebration resulted in a new double-CD set that is burning up the charts and is particularly unique for bringing together personalities like best-selling author and rock star Jimmy Buffett; nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow; multiple Academy Award-winning film director and star Clint Eastwood; best-selling author and radio host Garrison Keillor; and a Who's Who of Country and Bluegrass music legends including Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Carl Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, Joe Diffie and more.

Music Icon Ricky Skaggs Named Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year At 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards

"I always try to entertain folks with good clean fun and stories from my youth," says Skaggs of the Entertainer of the Year nod. "I always try to bring the gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ to our shows as well. I think now more than ever, people all over the country need hope. I'm very thankful to have won this award. I certainly look up to all of the people in this category. They are taking the gospel out to the folks who really need to hear it. Thanks again so much. It means a lot to me."


Nashville, TN (October 28, 2011) -- Music icon Ricky Skaggs was named Entertainer of the Yearand Musician of the Year at tonight's 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Show. Held at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the star-studded evening included a memorable performance of "Somebody's Prayin'" that featured Skaggs, John Elliot and six members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The track is from Ricky's July-issue CD, COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE.

Prescription Review Chosen as Feature by No Depression

The American Roots On-line Magazine NoDepression.com has chosen the most recent CD Review on the Prescription Bluegrass Blog as a feature review on their site. This is an honor for the reviewer, W.J. Hallock, and we're proud to call your attention to it.

You can check it out here

Ricky Skaggs CD REVIEW

...  From the first lick, it was plain that Ricky is better than ever....

Ricky Skaggs - Country Hits Bluegrass Style

Release Date: July 19,2011

Skaggs Family Records

    Ricky Skaggs in the ‘80’s was THE man to keep tabs on in country music. My introduction to just who he was came through his work with Emmylou Harris. His career, and all the different facets of it, have influenced countless musicians and several generations of fans. My children were raised on a steady diet of Ricky Skaggs.... 

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE

Christmas Time's A-Coming - Celebrate With A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO

10-Song CD, With Bonus DVD Included, In Stores TODAY!

Special Holiday Tour Begins November 28 
Christmas time's a-coming, and holiday music fans will find a special treat when A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO hits stores nationwide on September 27. The new disc comes with a bonus DVD filled with 26 performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions that are sure to become holiday treasures.
For Skaggs, a 14-time Grammy® winner, the FAMILY CHRISTMAS projects are a true labor of love.

Christmas Shopping List Recommendations – Skaggs Family Christmas Vol. II

One of Billboard's Most-Anticipated Country Albums of the Fall -

A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO

In Stores Next Tuesday!

Skaggs And The Whites Will Make Appearances During IBMA Week

One of Billboard's most-anticipated Holiday albums of the fall, A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO, will be available in stores nationwide next Tuesday, September 27. The new, 10-song CD features both studio and live recordings, and includes performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions that are sure to become holiday treasures.

To celebrate the album's release, Ricky and The Whites will appear at an in-store signing event at the Country Music Hall of Fame   and Museum on September 27 (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and later that day, they'll sign autographs from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Skaggs Family Records' Booth (#416) at the IBMA 2011 World of Bluegrass being held at the Nashville Convention Center. Skaggs, a 14-time Grammy® winner, will also entertain fans on Wednesday, September 28 when he and Kentucky Thunder join the Bill Monroe Tribute Show being held at Vanderbilt University's Ingram Hall at 7 p.m.

New CD Gives Life to Mark Twain’s Words!

Carl Jackson produces CD to bring Mark Twain words to Life

On September 21, 2011 the double-CD project titled Mark Twain: Words and Music will be released.  This mesmerizing project that tells the story of Mark Twain in spoken word and song is produced by Carl Jackson, a multi-GRAMMY award winning producer hailing from Louisville, Mississippi.  Once again Carl Jackson makes his home state, The Birthplace of American’s Music, proud. 

MARK TWAIN: WORDS and MUSIC - A legacy CD tribute for the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum!

Music Icon Ricky Skaggs Nominated For Five ICM Awards, Including Entertainer and Legend/Pioneer Award

Inspirational Country Song ("Someday Soon"), Musician And Inspirational Bluegrass Artist Round Out Nominations!

The ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Top 5 finalists were announced yesterday, and Ricky Skaggs secured nominations in five categories:Legend/Pioneer Award, Entertainer, Inspirational Country Song ("Someday Soon"),Musician and Inspirational Bluegrass Artist. For Skaggs, who has previously won several ICM Awards, this year's nominations are particularly sweet. "I'm very grateful to the ICM for all the nominations," says Skaggs. "When I started playin' and singin', they didn't have award shows like they do now, so I've never been driven to win them.  I just love the music and I love the fact that God uses music to speak to people's hearts.  That's what I'm in it for, to be a messenger of His Love." The 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards will be held on Friday, October 28 at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Ricky has been honored with the following ICM Awards: Musician of the Year, Christian Country Music Association - 1994, 1995, Musician of the Year - 2008, Inspirational Bluegrass Artist (with The Whites) - 2008, Mainstream Country Artist (with The Whites) - 2008, Mainstream Country Artist - 2009 and Inspirational Bluegrass Artist - 2010.

A 14-time Grammy® winner, Skaggs should have no problem garnering additional nominations in the future, as he continues to record and produce peerless music that appeals to an ever-growing fan base that crosses multiple genres. He released COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLEin July, and the 14-song disc is a mix of Skaggs' Country and Bluegrass roots; a compilation of numerous Skaggs' #1 Country hits and fan favorites, played in a Bluegrass style. Ricky's been sharing his music with fans around the country during his current Treasure Chest Tour. The tour continues with shows in Copper Mountain, CO (Villages at Copper Mountain), Stephenville, TX (Birdsong Amphitheater), Bloomington, IL (Bloomington Performing Arts Center) and Hiawassee, GA (Georgia Mountain Fall Festival) in addition to a host of bluegrass dates.

In August, Skaggs Family Records announced the issue of another 2011 CD: A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO. The 10-song disc hits stores nationwide on September 27, and features both studio and live recordings. A bonus DVD filled with 26 performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions that are sure to become holiday treasures is included with the CD. Skaggs and The Whites have taken their live holiday show on the road for the last eight years, entertaining crowds in venues ranging from churches to symphony halls, to the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington D.C., where they sang for President George W. Bush. They continue the tradition this year with bookings at a variety of outlets throughout the holiday season. A Skaggs Family Christmas Tour concludes with a special evening at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 22.

For more news on this music icon and a complete itinerary,CLICK HERE.

For information on the 2011 ICM Week in Nashville, CLICK HERE .

Ricky Skaggs to Release Family Christmas CD - Volume Two!

Christmas Time's A-Coming - Celebrate With

A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO

10-Song CD, With Bonus DVD Included, In Stores September 27

The new disc comes with a bonus DVD filled with 26 performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions that are sure to become holiday treasures.

Special Holiday Tour Begins November 28

Skaggs will also kick off a special holiday tour in support of the Christmas CD. "We've been hearing from our fans and they're ready for more Christ­mas songs," said Skaggs.

Ricky Skaggs on "Taste Of Country"

...Chet Akins says Skaggs “single-handidly” saved country music. The singer is too humble to agree with that, but it’s true he picked up where bluegrass pioneer and mentor Bill Monroe left off...

Ricky Skaggs was seen as a rebel for switching from country music to bluegrass in the mid-’90s. In reality, he’s a picker at heart, and according to the Taste Of Country Magazine, country fans were lucky to have him on the radio during his run of No. 1 hits and country music awards.

In an interview with the on-line magazine, Skaggs talks about his multi-faceted career, songwriting, performing business owner, record label, artist management and now mentoring.

Chet Akins says Skaggs “single-handidly” saved country music. The singer is too humble to agree with that, but it’s true he picked up where bluegrass pioneer and mentor Bill Monroe left off. Naturally, one wonders who will carry the torch when he reaches the clearing at the end of the pathway. Fortunately, that still seems a long ways off.

Read the full interview here

NEW Monroe All-Star Compilation Disc Coming Next Month!

ROUNDER RECORDS TO RELEASE  BILL MONROE 

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION A CLASSIC BLUEGRASS TRIBUTE ON AUGUST 23

Bill Monroe was both the father of bluegrass music and one of the genre’s most prolific writers, with a legacy that remains a benchmark for instrumentalists and vocalists alike.

Monroe created a distinctive music, a genre of its own that proved itself compelling and enduring.

Over 60 years after its birth, bluegrass is as healthy as it’s ever been, with 500 festivals each year around the United States, and bands in more than two dozen other countries.

To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Monroe’s birth, on August 23 Rounder will release a 2-disc 28-track set, with performances by an all-star roster of Rounder’s top bluegrass artists, including Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Dailey and Vincent, and The Bluegrass Album Band.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE HEARSE TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH!

New album by

RODNEY DILLARD & The Dillard Band

(Featuring Beverly Dillard)

DON’T WAIT FOR THE HEARSE TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH

Rodney Dillard’s long and illustrious career has resulted in two GRAMMY® Nominations, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, a well-known acting stint on The Andy Griffith Show, and worldwide acclaim for over 50 years of recording both traditional bluegrass and his own brand of DillardGrass.

It is with great pleasure that Rural Rhythm Christian announces the August 16, 2011 album release, “DON’T WAIT FOR THE HEARSE TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH” by Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band (Featuring Beverly Dillard).

The album features stand out tracks like the title cut, and also the“The Devil Just Can’t Knock Me Off My Knees”, written by the Dillard’s friend and 5-time Dove Award winning songwriter Bruce Haynes. 

Musicians on DON’T WAIT FOR THE HEARSE TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH include: Rodney Dillard (lead & harmony vocals, guitar, Dobro); Beverly Dillard (lead & harmony vocals, banjo); Steve Bush (banjo, mandolin, bass);George Giddens (fiddle, mandolin, harmony vocals); Tim Crouch (fiddle, mandolin); Bruce Hoffman (fiddle); Marty Wilhite (bass); Pete Generous (Percussion); and Jim Glaspy (harmony vocals).  

Ricky Skaggs Combines Two Loves For: COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE!

COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE In Stores Next Tuesday

Musical legend Ricky Skaggs' newest CD,COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE (Skaggs Family Records), will be in stores Tuesday, July 19. The 14-song release is a mix between Skaggs' country and bluegrass roots, something he has been sharing with fans around the country during his current Treasure Chest Tour.


Both bluegrass and country lovers alike will enjoy the bluegrass instrumentation along with the impeccable tenor voice of Ricky Skaggs, the man who "single-handedly" saved country music in the early 80's, according to renowned guitarist and producer, Chet Atkins.  Ricky's eight-time IBMA Instrumental Band of the Year, Kentucky Thunder, along with some of Ricky's original award-winning country band alumni, and special friends add to the magic of this album.

"We did such good music in the 1980s and early '90s that a lot of fans still shout out 'Honey (Open That Door),' and I felt like we needed to do those songs for them, too," explained Skaggs.  "For years now I've had fans come up and ask me to do a CD that would have my old country hits on it.  So here it is, done a little different than the original recordings.  These were done in more of a bluegrass style.  Folks have loved it when we play them on the road.  Sure hope you love them too."

The Roys Make the Cut in Round One of IBMA Voting!

The Roys take this opportunity to sincerely thank all their fans and IBMA Voting Members for the privilege of being on the second round ballot of voting for this year’s IBMA Awards.

“We are very honored that we have been on your mind and just to be a candidate for nomination is a thrill. We sincerely hope that our music brings you as much joy as it does us!”

Moody Bluegrass II Is Coming!

Following 2004’s critically and commercially acclaimed tribute to the legendary Moody Blues, the GRAMMY nominated Moody Bluegrass, along with the highly successful Moody Bluegrass Live, Nashville’s finest have come together again to honor the Moody Blues with Moody Bluegrass Two...Much Love available nationwide on June 21, 2011.

The Roys Join Ricky Skaggs on The Trinity Broadcast Network Friday 4/29/11

The Roys Join Ricky Skaggs, Marty Raybon and Others To Praise The Lord With Jason Crabb

TUNE IN

Trinity Broadcasting Network Show AIRS Friday, April 29 at 9 p.m. CDT / 10 p.m. EDT