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
Don't Cheat In Our Hometown
Ricky Skaggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been seen with my best friend on the other side of town
I don't mind this waiting, don't mind this running 'round
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
[Chorus]
How can I stand up to my friends and look 'Em in the eye
Admit the questions that I know would be nothing but lies
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
Now, there are no secrets in this little country town
Everyone knows everyone for miles and miles around
Your bright eyes and your sweet smile are driving me insane
You think it's smart to break my heart and run down my name.
[Chorus]
How can I stand up to my friends and look 'Em in the eye
Admit the questions that I know would be nothing but lies
You spend all your pass time making me a clown
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
So if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
The song "Don't Cheat In Our Hometown" by Ricky Skaggs is a classic country song that deals with the theme of betrayal and infidelity in a small town context. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of betrayal after his girlfriend is seen with his best friend on the other side of town. He expresses his disappointment and frustration, and advises his girlfriend not to cheat on him in their hometown where everyone knows each other's business. The chorus highlights the predicament he finds himself in: he can't face his friends and tell them what's going on because he knows it would be nothing but lies.
The song speaks to the values and virtues of small-town life, where a strong sense of community and loyalty is at the heart of everything. The singer's concerns reflect the realities of small-town life, where rumors and gossip spread quickly, and everybody knows everybody else's business. The song's message is clear: if you're going to cheat, don't do it in our hometown where it will reflect badly on everyone involved.
Skaggs's voice exudes authenticity and heartland sincerity, and the music captures the essence of country music. The instrumentation is traditional, with fiddles, mandolins, and acoustic guitars creating a warm, homespun sound. The song's lyrics are simple, direct, and honest, and they speak to the experiences of ordinary people who value honesty, loyalty, and trustworthiness.
Line by Line Meaning
To-night my heart is beating low and my head is bowed
I am upset and disappointed tonight
You've been seen with my best friend on the other side of town
Someone saw you with my best friend in another part of town
I don't mind this waiting, don't mind this running 'round
I am fine with waiting for you or with you going out with your friends
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
If you are going to cheat on me, please do not do it here where everyone knows us
How can I stand up to my friends and look 'Em in the eye
I cannot face my friends and look them in the eye
Admit the questions that I know would be nothing but lies
I cannot answer their questions truthfully
You spend all your pass time making me a clown
You waste all your time making me look foolish
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
If you are going to cheat on me, please do not do it here where everyone knows us
Now, there are no secrets in this little country town
Everyone knows everything in this small town
Everyone knows everyone for miles and miles around
People know each other for miles around in this small town
Your bright eyes and your sweet smile are driving me insane
I am going crazy because of your charming personality
You think it's smart to break my heart and run down my name.
You believe it to be clever to hurt my feelings and damage my reputation
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
If you are going to cheat on me, please do not do it here where everyone knows us
So if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
If you are going to cheat on me, please do not do it here where everyone knows us
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY PENNINGTON, ROY EUGENE MARCUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KevinH1980
To-night my heart is beating low and my head is bowed
You've been seen with my best friend on the other side of town
I don't mind this waiting, don't mind this running 'round
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
How can I stand up to my friends and look 'Em in the eye
Admit the questions that I know would be nothing but lies
You spend all your pass time making me a clown
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
--- Instrumental ---
Now, there are no secrets in this little country town
Everyone knows everyone for miles and miles around
Your bright eyes and your sweet smile are driving me insane
You think it's smart to break my heart and run down my name.
How can I stand up to my friends and look 'Em in the eye
Admit the questions that I know would be nothing but lies
You spend all your pass time making me a clown
But if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
So if you're gonna cheat on me don't cheat in our hometown.
--- Instrumental to fade ---
@musicmayn59
ricky oh ricky thanks for saving pure country music in the 80s PLEASE revive us again
@DaveWollenberg
ACC's #45 song of '84. God bless ya, brother Ricky! Thanx for postin' it, CountryMusicFan8. Have a blessed weekend!
@rogerbarrett1979
Ricky Skaggs is one of my childhood heroes. He has been since my kindergarten days. This song and the other ones on its album are some of the first ones I ever heard by him. Ricky has always made great music. And I know he always will.
@bluestarlighting29
Since 1984 love all Ricky Skaggs classic hits songs though years. Need put together box collection all albums though years. Truly enjoy all them Thank You.
@DaveWollenberg
Hit #1 in Billboard, 2-18-84. God bless you, brother Ricky!
@oberlepa
Remember the traditional country music revival that Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, and others lead in the early to mid eighties? Listening to country radio today, it's evident that we need another one.
@mkl62
A #1 hit for Ricky Skaggs on the Country & Western charts. It was the 691st #1 C&W song of the Rock Era.
@mauriciodelossantos8314
Iam from Jalisco Mexico I love bluegrass music I transport livestock around are Beautiful USA in my Chevy this music always puts a smile on my face…god bless you my friend.
@shell0738
Love Ricky Skaggs. Grew up listening to him almost on a daily basis. Reminds me of my Mum who has since passed away.
@rickyskaggs3205
Hello Thanks for your lovely comment and supports, your constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️
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