Finally, Ricky Skaggs Sings Country Hits Again
When Ricky Skaggs decided to focus on bluegrass music about a decade ago, he largely dropped all of his country hits from his set list. That was a pretty big deal, considering he's had 11 No. 1's, like "Crying My Heart Out Over You" and "Highway 40 Blues." (I imagine he's still performed "Uncle Pen" every night, however.) But for those fans who were "Heartbroke" at his concerts, here's some good news - he's adding a few of those classic songs at his concerts to celebrate a new album, The High Notes.
The album is available exclusively at Cracker Barrel, and he reinterprets his best-known songs with bluegrass arrangements. I'll tell you, it's a lot of fun to hear "Cajun Moon" and "Honey (Open That Door)" again. If you're lucky enough to live near Nashville, he's playing at the Ryman Auditorium on July 24, as part of their Bluegrass Nights series. It'll be a kick to hear the "Country Boy" sing all those crowd favorites again.
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Leeann says:
I’ve thought for a while now that it’d be cool if Skaggs would rework his old country hits as bluegrass songs. I’m excited that he’s done it. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Cracker Barrel near me and I’m trying to convince myself to pay the shipping and handling on this CD and a couple of others that I want to purchase through CB.
Rick says:
On the recent Opry Live show Ricky performed some of the songs he chose for this album. I am so glad to hear him sing them live again in any style these days! Ricky was one of my favorite artists back in the 1980’s and early 90’s and when he went straight bluegrass I really lost interest in his newer music and concerts. I am so glad he recorded the excellent “Live in London” album so I can hear excellent live performances of his country hits when he and his band were at their peak back in the day.
OutlawSteph says:
Ricky Scaggs did not go “straight bluegrass” like some sort of convert. That’s where he started. He was already a seasoned professional by 1975 when the first album by JD Crowe and the New South came out. It was part of the progressive bluegrass revolution and is still fresh as ever.
-Stephanie
Blogger says:
I love bg, but I love Skaggs even more. So thanks for the heads up. I will run to a CB tomorrow, as it’s not normally where I buy my music, and listen all weekend!
A disappointed fan says:
I got to say that I saw ricky scaggs at the Ryman tonight and it possibly was the worst concert I have ever seen. Apparently James Dobson was in the audience and Ricky made a big point of preaching and telling everyone how humble he is. We bought tickets to hear him play not preach…sure would like to have my money and time back.
Jeremy says:
Ricky does what he does best…and that is share his heart. you can’t get the music without the heart and if you think you’re just going to get the music…you’re sadly mistaken. Ricky uses these shows to minister to those in need. no he’s not a minister but he shares his heart. why be so disappointed in a man who is finally getting to do what he wants to do with his music and his shows? if you’re not going to hear Ricky speak…then just ignore him when he does and just listen to the music.
gwennie says:
We looked forward to seeing and hearing Ricky Skaggs sing and play at Casino Rama ,Orillia Ontario Canada . What a big disappointment to see, he had his good band there ,standing on stage with nothing to do but stand and listen to a piano player !!!! What’s with that ??? We went to hear bluegrass music not this other guy . If we had wanted to hear “just piano , we would have gone elsewhere. You guessed it , we walked out and some people were booing . Please Ricky listen to your fans. Play your bluegrass . That’s what we came out to hear . Very disappointed . Gwennie .