Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs performs in Walhalla

country music hall of fame member Ricky Skaggs

By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography

Walhalla, SC (April 14th, 2019) – With severe storms rolling through the typically quiet historic town of Walhalla, SC fans braved the elements to hear a different type of thunder inside the Performing Arts Center. The legendary Ricky Skaggs and his band The Kentucky Thunder are in town for a night of traditional bluegrass music. Performing a true acoustic show with no electric instruments, the band stood in front of microphones, was a unique factor you don’t see from veteran performers. The 15 time Grammy award winner and 2018 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee filled the evening with his distinctive Kentucky mountain vocals on songs like opener “How Mountain Girls Can Love” and “Highway 40 Blues.” Throughout the night the group mixed in some instrumental songs as well such as “Appalachian Joy” that had fans clapping and cheering along to the beat. Introducing band members Mike Barnett (fiddle), Jake Workman (acoustic guitar), Jeff Picker (bass), Dennis Parker (guitar), Russell Carson (banjo) and Paul Brewster (guitar), who will have been with Ricky 24yrs on April 19th, Ricky stated he likes to share the spotlight as Paul took over lead vocals on a cover of “Kentucky Waltz” by Bill Monroe. Following up Dennis sang a stripped down version of the James Taylor classic “Carolina In My Mind” before Russell led the band in to “Bound To Ride” by Ralph Stanley featuring the banjo.

During the show Ricky made several comments of his idols Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley as the group played some of their songs but he also took time to make mention of his Carolina connection. Straying away from the music for a moment he brought up the revolutionary war and the towns of King’s Mountain, NC and Cowpens, SC Ricky stated that his ancestors Henry and John Skaggs fought in the battles. He also made note of his desire to visit the areas as well saying he had passed by the locations several times but never been able to stop and see things. With an upcoming performance in Spartanburg, SC on May 3rd maybe he will get the chance to visit that Cowpens battlefield site.

With Easter on the horizon and today being Palm Sunday Skaggs spoke on some of his religious beliefs. He had been making some lighthearted southern baptist jokes throughout the show such as how he didn’t expect anyone on the front row for his performance since Baptist’s always sit in the back as he and the band went on to play “Can’t Shake Jesus.”

Taking a request from the crowd the group played a cover of “Tennessee Stud” by Doc Watson before M ike Barnett led the band in an instrumental cover of his song titled “Old Barnes.” Closing out the show with “Black-eyed Susie” Skaggs and the band took time to meet with fans for photos and autographs.

Ricky Skaggs

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