Skaggs's music career began in 1970 when he joined Ralph Stanley's bluegrass band, the Clinch Mountain Boys. He plays mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo. For a few years, Skaggs was a member of Emmylou Harris's "Hot Band". He wrote the arrangements for Harris's bluegrass-roots album, Roses in the Snow. In addition to arranging, Skaggs sang harmony, and played mandolin and fiddle. In 2000, he shared the stage with the jam band Phish.
Skaggs moved to Nashville in 1980 and was signed to Sony Records, where he produced his debut album, Waitin' For The Sun To Shine. The album produced four successful singles, including two number one country hits. Many people say he rescued country music from the doldrums it had found itself in the 1970s. He was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry in 1982. He racked up 12 number one hits and 6 top ten singles during the 1980s. Skaggs picked up dozens of industry awards in the ensuing years.
He has made many fans due to his dedication to the traditional bluegrass style of music. "I always want to try to promote the old music, as well as trying to grow (musically), and be a pioneer too," Skaggs once said. Because of this approach to his music, Skaggs has been considered to be the founding father of Neotraditional Country.
From Wikipedia;
Early career:
Ricky Skaggs started playing music after he was given a mandolin by his fater, Hobert. At age 5, he played mandolin on stage with Bill Monroe. At age 6, he appeared on television's Martha White country music variety show, playing with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. he also wanted to audition for the Grand Ole Opry at the time, but was told he was too young.
In his mid-teens, Skaggs met a fellow teen prodigy, guitarist Keith Whitley and the two started playing together with Whitley's banjoist brothr Dwight on radio shows. By 1970, they had earned a spot opening for Ralph Stanley and Skaggs and Keith Whitley were thereafter invited to join Stanley's band, the Clinch Mountain Boys.
Skaggs later joined J.D. Crowe's New South. For a few years, Skaggs was a member of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. He wrothe the arrangements for Harris's 1980 bluegrass-roots album, Roses in the Snow. In addition to arranging for Harris, Skaggs sang harmony and played mandolin and fiddle.
Neotraditionalism and experimentation:
Into the 1990s and 2000s, Skaggs has embraced his bluegrass roots, as well as experimenting with new sounds. With his band, Kentucky Thunder, he is a perennial winner of Grammy Awards and International Bluegrass Music Association for best bluegrass album.
"I always want to try to promote the old music, as well as trying to grow, and be a pioneer too, "Skaggs once said.
In 2000, he shared the stage with Vermont-based jam band, Phis. On March 20, 2007, Skaggs released an album with rock musician Burce Hornsby.
In 2007, Skaggs is slated to release and album he recorded with The Whites on his Skaggs Family Records label.
In 2008, Skaggs recorded a bluegrass version of "old Enough" by the Raconteurs with Ashley Monroe and the Raconteurs. He Played mandolin on the track as well as shared vocals with jack White, Brendan Benson, and Ashley Monroe.
Grammy awards
* 1983 Best Country Instrumental Performance: New South (J.D. Crowe, Jerry Douglas, Todd Phillips, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs) for Fireball
* 1984 Best Country Instrumental Performance: Ricky Skaggs for Wheel Hoss
* 1986 Best Country Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group or Soloist): Ricky Skaggs for Raisin' The Dickins
* 1991 Best Country Vocal Collaboration: Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner & Vince Gill for Restless
* 1999 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Bluegrass Rules!
* 1998 Best Country Collaboration with Vocals: Clint Black, Joe Diffie, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt & Dwight Yoakam for Same Old Train
* 2000 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
* 2006 Best Musical Album For Children, "Songs From The Neighborhood, The Music Of Mr. Rogers"
* 2008 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Ricky Skaggs and The Whites for Salt Of The Earth
* 2009 Best Bluegrass Album "Honoring The Fathers Of Bluegrass 1946 & 47"
CMA (Country Music Association) Awards
* 1982 Male Vocalist of the Year: Ricky Skaggs
* 1982 Horizon Award: Ricky Skaggs
* 1983 Instrumental Group of the Year: Ricky Skaggs Band
* 1984 Instrumental Group of the Year: Ricky Skaggs Band
* 1985 Entertainer of the Year: Ricky Skaggs
* 1985 Instrumental Group of the Year: Ricky Skaggs Band
* 1987 Vocal Duo of the Year: Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White
IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards
* 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
* 2000 Instrumental Album Of The Year: David Grisman, Ronnie McCoury, Sam Bush, Frank Wakefield, Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Ricky Skaggs & Buck White for Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza
* 2000 Recorded Event Of The Year: David Grisman, Ronnie McCoury, Sam Bush, Frank Wakefield, Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Ricky Skaggs & Buck White for Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza
* 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
Other Awards and Accomplishments
* R&R Best New Artist
* Billboard magazine's Artist of the Year
* Musician Magazine- Voted One of the Top 100 Guitarists of the Century
* Artist of the Decade- Listeners' Poll Award BBC Radio 2
* CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music rank #37 in 2003.
* Judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards
Cajun Moon
Ricky Skaggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love to dance oh me, oh my
Gonna have more fun than a tree in a coon
Tonight's the dance of the Cajun noon.
[Chorus]
Cajun moon nugget of gold
River of light on the bayou
To a love in bloom so
Shine on me oh, Cajun moon.
Pick ups and wagons 'round the river road shack
Bonfires draw in a crowd out back
Step through the door and I see my Sheri
That's when I see her mamas eyes on me.
[Chorus]
Guitar, a squeeze box, a fiddle, a bow
Little band a-playin' every song they know
Old woman sittin' there and yellin' for more
My heart is willin', but my feet - they're so sore!
[Chorus]
Once more we're waltzin' to Jolie Blond
I lean in closer and Sheri responds
Her mama's smilin' as we slip from the room
To sit and stare at the Cajun noon.
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Ricky Skaggs's "Cajun Moon" speak of a full moon night where the singer is going to a Cajun dance with his girlfriend Sheri, who catches her mother's attention. As they arrive at the dance, they see a crowd, bonfires and a band playing guitar, squeeze box, fiddle, and more. As the song starts, the singer expresses his love for dancing and his high hopes of having a great time. He describes the moon itself as a "nugget of gold" and "river of light" shining on them, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere that they cherish.
The tone of the song is joyful and celebratory, showcasing the beauty of Cajun culture through the dance and the music. The singer's love for Sheri is evident as he leans in for a waltz, and her mother's approval only adds to their happiness. The message is simple, yet heartwarming: make the most of every moment and enjoy life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
The moon is full and my heart is why
The singer's heart is full of happiness and excitement because it is a full moon tonight.
I love to dance oh me, oh my
The singer loves dancing and is thrilled to be doing so tonight.
Gonna have more fun than a tree in a coon
The singer is going to have a great time at the Cajun dance tonight.
Tonight's the dance of the Cajun noon
The artist is excited to be attending a Cajun dance tonight.
Cajun moon nugget of gold
The full moon shines like a nugget of gold in the sky.
River of light on the bayou
The moon's reflection creates a shimmering river of light on the bayou.
You're just like rain
The moon is compared to rain, which brings new life and growth to a love in bloom.
To a love in bloom so
The artist's love is flourishing.
Shine on me oh, Cajun moon.
The artist asks the moon to continue shining on him.
Pick ups and wagons 'round the river road shack
There are many pickup trucks and wagons parked around the river road shack.
Bonfires draw in a crowd out back
The bonfires attract a large group of people to the back of the shack.
Step through the door and I see my Sheri
The artist sees his partner, Sheri, as he enters the shack.
That's when I see her mama's eyes on me.
The singer notices Sheri's mother looking at him with a suspicious expression.
Guitar, a squeeze box, a fiddle, a bow
These traditional Cajun instruments create the lively music at the dance.
Little band a-playin' every song they know
The band is playing every song they know to keep the dance floor busy.
Old woman sittin' there and yellin' for more
An elderly woman is sitting and cheering on the musicians to play even more music.
My heart is willin', but my feet - they're so sore!
The artist's heart is happy, but his feet are tired from dancing all night.
Once more we're waltzin' to Jolie Blond
The singer and Sheri dance together to the traditional Cajun song 'Jolie Blond', once again.
I lean in closer and Sheri responds
Sheri reciprocates the singer's movements and dance steps.
Her mama's smilin' as we slip from the room
Sheri's mother is happy to see the artist and her daughter share a connection and exit the dance.
To sit and stare at the Cajun noon.
The artist and Sheri take a moment to sit and watch the beauty of the night, enjoying the Cajun moon together.
Cajun moon nugget of gold
The full moon shines like a nugget of gold in the sky.
River of light on the bayou
The moon's reflection creates a shimmering river of light on the bayou.
You're just like rain
The moon is compared to rain, which brings new life and growth to a love in bloom.
To a love in bloom so
The singer's love is flourishing.
Shine on me oh, Cajun moon.
The singer asks the moon to continue shining on him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM RUSHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@myles-spikewebby8519
My late mother plays this song on cassette while she puts me to sleep. I miss her.
@JTthePlumber
Man has more talent in his pinky toe , than the entire city of Nashville has period
@ailora2357
I am going to play this at my wedding reception.
@anthonyfoutch3152
Ricky has one of the greatest voices in country.
@raymccranie7872
I remember Ricky when he was a kid playing bluegrass. What a talent he is!!!!❤❤❤😅😊😂
@Rickyskaggsofficial
Thanks to you I appreciate all the support and love you have given to me all these years.❤where are you from..?😊
@thegobblerproject2363
Don’t know bout y’all but this song doesn’t get old easy
@daved6569
Sad to think most people who listen to “country” music today have never heard of Mr.Skaggs.
@Craig_Wooton
Exactly what I think all the time. I grew up on the 80's / early 90's country. Best music in my opinion
@Cuatrero7
@@Craig_Wooton I agree with you. Now country music sound like pop.