Kentucky Thunder, or Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, is the band that plays with American country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs. Many members of the band have won numerous awards. Bandleader Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and is the lead vocalist. The group has won the Instrumental Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association multiple times, as well as seven Grammy Awards.[1]

Kentucky Thunder
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder in Mt Vernon, KY on October 21, 2022.
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder in Mt Vernon, KY on October 21, 2022.
Background information
OriginKentucky, United States
GenresBluegrass
Years active1997-present
LabelsRounder, Sugar Hill, Hollywood, RCA, Skaggs Family Records
MembersRicky Skaggs
Russell Carson
Jake Workman
Dennis Parker
Mike Rogers
Billy Contreras
Gavin Kelso
Past membersPaul Brewster
Mark Fain
Bobby Hicks
Luke Bulla

Gary "Bud" Smith
Marc Pruett
Jim Mills
Justin Moses
Bryan Sutton
Clay Hess
Darrin Vincent
Ben Helson
Cody Kilby
Eddie Faris
Jeff Picker
Scott Mulvahill
Andy Leftwich
Websitehttps://rickyskaggs.com/kentucky-thunder/

Line-up

edit

The current line-up is;

  • Russell Carson - Banjo
  • Jake Workman - Lead Guitar
  • Dennis Parker - Rhythm Guitar, Baritone Vocals, Mandolin, Fiddle
  • Mike Rogers - Guitar and Tenor Vocals
  • Billy Contreras - Fiddle
  • Gavin Kelso - Upright Bass

Discography

edit
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Grass US Country US
Bluegrass Rules! 45
Ancient Tones
  • Release date: January 26, 1999
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
46
Soldier of the Cross
  • Release date: September 14, 1999
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
65
History of the Future
  • Release date: September 11, 2001
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
10 35
Live at the Charleston Music Hall
  • Release date: March 25, 2003
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
2 32
Brand New Strings
  • Release date: September 28, 2004
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
1 60
Instrumentals
  • Release date: August 1, 2006
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
1 73
Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass:
Tribute to 1946 and 1947
  • Release date: March 25, 2008
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
1 29 191
Music to My Ears
  • Release date: September 25, 2012
  • Label: Skaggs Family Records
2 52
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Guest artists on The Chieftains' Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions (2002)

Awards

edit

Grammy awards

edit

Source:[2]

  • 1998 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Bluegrass Rules!
  • 1999 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Ancient Tones
  • 2000 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Soldier Of The Cross
  • 2003 Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for A Simple Life
  • 2004 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Brand New Strings
  • 2006 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Instrumentals
  • 2008 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 & 1947

IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards

edit
  • 1998 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 1998 Album Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder for Bluegrass Rules!
  • 1999 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 2000 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 2002 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 2003 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 2004 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 2005 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • 2006 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

References

edit
  1. ^ "Awards Nominations & Winners". April 30, 2017.
  2. ^ "Ricky Skaggs And Kentucky Thunder". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
edit