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
GET UP JOHN
Ricky Skaggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now I find I'm wrong
Come on back, sweet mama
Back where you belong
I've rambled over town
To find that I can't win
Come on back and pick me up again
Now, if I lose
(If I lose)
Let me lose
(Let me lose)
I don't care
(I don't care)
How much I lose
If I lose a hundred dollars
While I'm tryin' to win a dime?
My baby, she's got money all the time
Of all the other gals I've known
There's none to take your place
'Cause when I get into a jam
They just ain't in the race
So, now that you're back here
Let's take another round
With you here by my side
Babe, the deal just can't go down
Now, if I lose
(If I lose)
Let me lose
(Let me lose)
I don't care
(I don't care)
How much I lose
If I lose a hundred dollars
While I'm tryin' to win a dime?
My baby, she's got money all the time
Now, if I lose
(If I lose)
Let me lose
(Let me lose)
I don't care
(I don't care)
How much I lose
If I lose a hundred dollars
While I'm tryin' to win a dime?
My baby, she's got money all the time
In Ricky Skaggs's song GET UP JOHN, the lyrics tell a story of a man who has realized that he was wrong for not acknowledging the importance of his partner in his life. The song relays a message about the value of love and companionship, and how important it is to appreciate the person who stands by you through thick and thin. The opening lines "I never thought I'd need you, but now I find I'm wrong, come on back, sweet mama, back where you belong" express regret and the desire to make amends. The singer admits his mistake and asks his loved one to come back to him.
The succeeding lines "I've rambled over town to find that I can't win, come on back and pick me up again" imply that the singer had gone through trials and tribulations in search of something that would make him happy, and eventually realized that his happiness lies with the person he had neglected. Moreover, the verses that follow speak of the singer's love for his partner, expressing that she is the one he wants to spend his life with. The lines, "Of all the other gals I've known, there's none to take your place, 'cause when I get into a jam, they just ain't in the race" further accentuates this.
The chorus of "if I lose, let me lose, I don't care how much I lose, if I lose a hundred dollars while I'm trying to win a dime, my baby, she's got money all the time" emphasizes that the singer is willing to take risks and put everything he has on the line to win her back. He is willing to make it work with her and doesn't care about losing material or monetary possessions. Such an approach is due to the realization of his mistake, and the subsequent repentance.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought I'd need you
I did not expect to need your presence in my life
But now I find I'm wrong
I was mistaken as I realize I do need you
Come on back, sweet mama
Please return to me, my dear
Back where you belong
Return to the place where you are meant to be
I've rambled over town
I have wandered aimlessly through the city
To find that I can't win
I discovered that I cannot succeed on my own
Come on back and pick me up again
Please return and help me once more
Now, if I lose
In the event that I do not succeed
(If I lose)
Let me lose
Allow me to fail
(Let me lose)
I don't care
I am indifferent
(I don't care)
How much I lose
Regardless of the amount of loss
If I lose a hundred dollars
Even if I lose a large sum of money
While I'm tryin' to win a dime?
While attempting to gain only a small amount of money?
My baby, she's got money all the time
My significant other has an abundance of money
Of all the other gals I've known
Out of all the females I have encountered
There's none to take your place
None can replace you
'Cause when I get into a jam
Because when I encounter a difficult situation
They just ain't in the race
They are unable to keep up or compete
So, now that you're back here
Now that you have returned to my side
Let's take another round
Let us try again
With you here by my side
With your presence and support
Babe, the deal just can't go down
The situation cannot be resolved without you
Now, if I lose
In the event that I do not succeed
(If I lose)
Let me lose
Allow me to fail
(Let me lose)
I don't care
I am indifferent
(I don't care)
How much I lose
Regardless of the amount of loss
If I lose a hundred dollars
Even if I lose a large sum of money
While I'm tryin' to win a dime?
While attempting to gain only a small amount of money?
My baby, she's got money all the time
My significant other has an abundance of money
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rjmusser1
I've said it before and I'll say it again... bluegrass is medicine for the soul.
@spinblackcircles
I’ve grown up around bluegrass my whole life. This right here is one of the absolute most amazing performances of bluegrass i have ever seen in my life good lord
@jpb1231000
THIS....
IS
HEAVY METAL!!!!
SMOKING!!!!
I ALWAYS loved bluegrass...
I tell all my "Bon Jovi" fan friends....
THIS is PLAYIN!!!!
@pschlehr
I really admire Ricky Skaggs. He left a pretty successful career in mainstream country in order to pursue his musical passion of bluegrass. That is a rare thing. All musicians say they value artistic integrity over fame, money and success. Ricky Skaggs has proof that he genuinely believes it because he practiced that kind of integrity in his own life.
@flatpikinguitar
this is why this group is legendary. this is the only song that i know of that actualy makes bryan look like hes trying
@sillystrings
This is so great... Anyone who says bluegrass is old fashioned and bad music and only for old people has no idea what the meaning of "good music" is.
@spinblackcircles
Who the hell says that
@aprilrapier7176
I’ve followed Ricky Skaggs, world’s greatest bluegrass picker and singer, since we were both young’uns. He is gifted beyond imagination, humble, generous and kind. In my book, there’s no one better across the genres. I got to meet him a few years ago in Austin and was blown away by how down to earth and interested he was. After a long, two-show evening, he seemed happy to chat about music, photography, life. No wonder he is so dearly loved by all! Eternal gratitude for sharing your gift and bringing incalculable joy to so many.
@mikeylikesit182
I can't tell you guy's how many times I've watched Bryan's solo, good lord, I think I've garnered about 15% of the views on this video
@TheMrCompletely
There's no stronger statement you can make as a bluegrass picker than to take a Mr. Bill Monroe tune and flat-out shred it in traditional style. Love the KT take on this tune, much respect