I have been writing these articles for 4 years now, and I am disappointed it has taken me this long to feature Mega Star, Ricky Skaggs.  He's been mentioned in some of my pieces, but that's not good enough. Skaggs and I debuted on country radio about the exact same time. He was the sheer definition of a traditional country artist.  The respect I have for him is immense, and I'll tell you why.  Because his story is far beyond just songs on the chart.

Ricky Skaggs is a big-time favorite of many very traditional country fans.  But to others reading this depending on your age, he may be one of the biggest country stars you may have never heard of.  If you really love country music, keep reading.  But no matter what camp you are in as of this writing, make no mistake, Ricky Skaggs was one of the biggest and most important stars we had for many reasons.  But sadly, time is not overly kind to many in our format.  He's had a couple different musical careers, but here we will focus on his important run on the country charts.

Breakout Hit For Him  #1

In a time where Urban Cowboy, and Pop Country were the dominant trends, Skaggs was a total traditionalist on the radio.  With his roots, his sound, and when Ricky Skaggs was on the radio he cut through like a sharp knife.  Traditional country fans that had been left behind with the pop trend, loved Ricky Skaggs.  It was real country.  From his song choices, to his traditional and vulnerable voice, and the arrangements, he was a modern original at the time, but a throwback too in the long run.  Read the comments on the videos to see the love fans have for him.

Big Hit - Real Skaggs Favorite  #1

He was and is still a superior musician, as his pedigree is beyond reproach. He plays a ton of stringed instruments, and all of them exceptionally well.  He played with the late Keith Whitley as a teenager and played in a few bands, including being a prominent member of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band during her incredible run.  He started playing music at age of 5, and was a prodigy from the start. His roots were in Bluegrass, but he also played alongside Vince Gill, and Bruce Hornsby.

Loved This One  #1

In 1980, Skaggs began his solo country career on the charts ran through the 1980's with incredible success.  Skaggs was part of the very early 1980's troupe that dared to be different and change back the direction of country music.  He along with George Strait, Earl Thomas Conley, Reba, Alabama, the Judds, John Anderson, Hank Jr  and others were the start of a change that would take a decade to steer country in a new direction.  The music Skaggs was recording at the time was very brave and some insiders credit him with "Saving Country Music" at that very moment. 

Gigantic Hit  #1

Whether that's true or not is of course subjective, but what I will say is that he stood proudly on a rock in the river that many didn't and wouldn't.  Overall, we were far too poppy and the hard cold truth of it was this.  We had few traditionalists, much of the music was not recorded for country fans, we were not selling a lot of pop country albums, we didn't have concerts in front of 25,000 and we weren't even looking for a new identity as a whole that we needed to be.  What Skaggs did in concert with select others was hold firm to rooted country music and I am forever thankful for that.  What these artists did then, was set the stage for a continued modification of country in 1986 with Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Holly Dunn, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakam and others.  Then onto the huge explosion in 1989 with Garth, Alan, Clint, Travis and more, and the rest is history -  The 1990's.  Even though Skaggs was not a 90's artist, he certainly helped us get there.

The First Skaggs Song I Played  #1

Truth be told, Skaggs should be revered for what he did then.  And thankfully he's in the Country Music Hall Of Fame, the Bluegrass Hall Of Fame, the Musicians Hall Of Fame, and a member of the Grand Ol Opry.  He has 12 #1 songs, won 8 CMA's and 8 ACM's, and has sold millions of albums from country to bluegrass.  Plus the amount of Grammy's he's won is staggering (15).  He's recorded and performed with about every respected singer and musician there is on earth, from every format there is, of which he is one of them.

His Final #1

Since the mid 1990's he's performed bluegrass and is the most respected member of that music community.  In short, we owe Ricky Skaggs a lot.  He was pivotal in helping to guide country to a far better path.  He a Mega Star in every regard. 

A brave artist in a time bravery was needed.  A country music giant, Mega Star - Ricky Skaggs.

Read My Article - 1981 - For more on Ricky Skaggs