Ricky skaggs opry member photo 2019

Ricky Skaggs - 2004 Inductee

Born in Eastern Kentucky, in 1954, Ricky Skaggs was raised in the in town of Cordell, in Lawrence County. Growing up in a musical family, Ricky became an accomplished singer and mandolin player, by the time he reached his teens. By the age of 21 he had become an acknowledged master. He began his professional career playing bluegrass in 1971, when he and friend, late country singer, Keith Whitley, were invited by Ralph Stanley to join his band. He performed with J.D. Crowe and the New South on their 1975 debut album, which has become one of the most influential bluegrass albums ever released.

As a member of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band in the late 70’s, Ricky began exploring the country scene. He reached the top of the country charts in 1981 with the release of his own album, “Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine, and in 1982 became the youngest member included in the Grand Ole Opry at that time.

Ricky was awarded many honors throughout the 80’s including the 1985 CMA entertainer of the year, four Grammy awards and dozens of other awards. At a time when the Nashville sound was becoming more and more popish, Ricky carried the torch for returning country to its traditional elements. He began returning to his own roots of bluegrass, and in the late 90’s Ricky established his own label-Skaggs family Records.

Ricky won his 6th Grammy with the label’s first release, Bluegrass Rules which also took the International Bluegrass Music Association’s ‘Album of the Year” award, while breaking new sales records for bluegrass. In 1999 Ricky and his band, Kentucky Thunder were honored with another Grammy for Ricky’s second all-bluegrass album, Ancient tones. The following year saw Ricky’s eighth Grammy for his first and only all-gospel project to date, Soldier of the Cross. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder’s “A Simple Life” earned Ricky his 9th Grammy in the Best Country Performance by a Group or Duo with Vocals category. The song is featured on their album, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder -Live at the Charleston Music Hall, which was destined to take its place among country and bluegrass music’s classics. With all his accomplishments, Ricky Skaggs has become one of bluegrass’ most talented and dynamic performers, pioneering a renewed vitality to his art, while expanding the horizon of tradition for the world and its future generations.

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  1. Dale Ann Bradley - 2018 Inductee
  2. Billy Ray Cyrus - 2018 Inductee
  3. Jason Crabb - 2018 Inductee
  4. Jackie DeShannon - 2018 Inductee
  5. David "Stringbean" Akeman - 2018 Inductee
  6. Bobby Lewis - 2018 Inductee
  7. Exile - 2011 Inductees
  8. The Kentucky Headhunters - 2013 Inductees
  9. Jerry Chestnut - 2004 Inductee
  10. John Lee Lair - 2002 Inductee
  11. Red Foley - 2002 Inductee
  12. Coon Creek Girls - 2004 Inductees
  13. Ulys R "Red" Turner - Renfro Valley Performer
  14. Old Joe Clark - 2013 Inductee
  15. Merle Travis - 2002 Inductee
  16. Loretta Lynn - 2002 Inductee
  17. JD Crowe - 2004 Inductee
  18. Bradley Kincaid - 2002 Inductee
  19. Jean Ritchie - 2002 Inductee
  20. Tom T Hall - 2002 Inductee
  21. Pete Stamper - 2015 Inductee
  22. Steve Wariner - 2011 Inductee
  23. Bradley Kincaid - 2002 Inductee
  24. Bill Monroe - 2002 Inductee
  25. Dwight Yoakam - 2008 Inductee
  26. John Conlee - 2006 Inductee
  27. Louis Marshall "Grandpa Jones" - 2002 Inductee
  28. Keith Whitley - 2011 Inductee
  29. Ricky Skaggs - 2004 Inductee
  30. Brian Littrell & Kevin Richardson of The Backstreet Boys - 2015 Inductees
  31. Patty Loveless - 2011 Inductee
  32. Montgomery Genrty - 2015 Inductees
  33. John Michael Montgomery - 2011 Inductee
  34. The Judds - 2006 Inductees
  35. The Everly Brothers - 2002 Inductees
  36. Boots Randolph - 2004 Inductee
  37. Sam Bush - 2006 Inductee
  38. The Goins Brothers
  39. Crystal Gayle - 2008 Inductee
  40. Dottie Rambo - 2006 Inductee
  41. Florence Henderson - 2008 Inductee
  42. Steven Curtis Chapman - 2013 Inductee
  43. Doc Hopkins - 2015 Inductee
  44. The Osborne Brothers - 2002 Inductees
  45. Howard and Vestal Goodman - 2004 Inductees
  46. The Coon Creek Girls - 2004 Inductees
  47. Billy Vaughn - 2004 Inductee
  48. Todd Duncan - 2006 Inductee
  49. Mary Travers - 2006 Inductee
  50. John Jacob Niles - 2006 Inductee
  51. Norro Wilson - 2008 Inductee
  52. Les McCann - 2008 Inductee
  53. Molly O'Day - 2011 Inductee
  54. Carly Pearce - 2022 Inductee
  55. Marty Brown - 2022 Inductee
  56. Marty Brown - 2022 Inductee
  57. Tee Dee Young - 2022 Inductee
  58. Paul Yandell - 2022 Inductee
  59. Norah Lee Allen - 2022 Inductee
  60. Tommy White - 2022 Inductee
  61. Pete Goble - 2022 Inductee
  62. 2022 Karl Shannon Award: Jack Pattie