Ricky Skaggs primarily plays mandolin; however, he plays fiddle, guitar, mandocaster, and banjo.
22 Facts About Ricky Skaggs
2.
On January 13,2021, it was announced Ricky Skaggs had been awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Donald Trump, alongside fellow country musician Toby Keith.
3.
Ricky Skaggs started playing music at age 5 after he was given a mandolin by his father, Hobert Skaggs.
4.
Ricky Skaggs wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry at that time, but was told he was too young.
5.
Ricky Skaggs later joined The Country Gentlemen in Washington, DC, JD Crowe's New South.
6.
In 1976, Ricky Skaggs formed progressive bluegrass band Boone Creek, including members Vince Gill and Jerry Douglas.
7.
Ricky Skaggs wrote the arrangements for Harris's 1980 bluegrass-roots album, Roses in the Snow.
8.
Ricky Skaggs launched his own career in 1980, achieving 12 No 1 hits, 8 CMA awards, and 8 ACM awards.
9.
Ricky Skaggs is considered one of the pioneers of the Neotraditional country sub-genre.
10.
Ricky Skaggs had Bill Monroe as a guest on this album.
11.
In 1996, Ricky Skaggs went back to his bluegrass roots, and experimented with new sounds.
12.
On March 20,2007, Ricky Skaggs released an album with rock musician Bruce Hornsby.
13.
In 2008, Ricky Skaggs released an album he recorded with The Whites on his Ricky Skaggs Family Records label.
14.
In 2008, Ricky Skaggs recorded a bluegrass version of "Old Enough" by the Raconteurs with Ashley Monroe and the Raconteurs.
15.
Ricky Skaggs played the mandolin on the track as well as sharing vocals with Jack White, Brendan Benson, and Ashley Monroe.
16.
In 2012, Ricky Skaggs collaborated with Barry Gibb on the song, "Soldier's Son" which was released on Music to My Ears.
17.
In 2015, Ricky Skaggs toured with Ry Cooder, Sharon White and other members of The Whites.
18.
In 2019, Ricky Skaggs performed at the 6th Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Concert and Induction Ceremony.
19.
In 2021 Ricky Skaggs was nominated for the SOTE award which was delayed by the Covid pandemic.
20.
Ricky Skaggs was previously married to Brenda Stanley and has two children, Andrew and Mandy, from that relationship.
21.
Ricky Skaggs has been married to Sharon White of The Whites since August 1981.
22.
In June 2020, Ricky Skaggs underwent quadruple bypass surgery in Nashville.