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
Simple Life
Ricky Skaggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man and a wife and a family
And the Lord up above who knows I'm tryin'
To live a simple life in a difficult time.
I used to sit around fussin' at the phone all day
Windin' up alone and it'd make me say
Never again will I be that way
'Cause a simple life is the life for me
A man and a wife and a family
The Lord up above he knows I'm tryin'
To live a simple life in a difficult time
Well, I work six days and I rest for one
'Cause the ol' rat race ain't never been won
And I sit back and I watch 'em run
I kick on back and I watch 'em run.
'Cause the simple life is the life for me
A man and a wife and a family
The Lord up above who knows I'm tryin'
To live a simple life in a difficult time.
Simple life in a difficult time.
The simple life is the life for me
A man and a wife and a family
And the Lord up above who knows I'm tryin'
To live a simple life in a difficult time.
The simple life is the life for me
A man and a wife and a family
And the Lord up above who knows I'm tryin'.
To live a simple life in a difficult time.
The simple life is the life for me
A steak and a knife and a glass of tea
The Lord up above he knows I'm tryin'
To live a simple life in a difficult time
In "Simple Life," Ricky Skaggs sings about his longing for a simple life. He believes that the key to happiness is a family, a spouse, and a close relationship with God. Skaggs acknowledges that life can be difficult, but he continues to try and embody a simple life. Skaggs also recognizes that in the past, he was focused on his problems instead of living a simple life. He vows to never go back to that way of living, instead embracing his current lifestyle.
The song emphasizes the importance of taking a step back from the fast-paced and competitive world around us. To Skaggs, a simple life means working hard during the week and taking a break to enjoy the simple things on the weekends, such as food, family, and relaxation. The song reminds us that we can still find joy and fulfillment in life, even in difficult times, by focusing on the simple pleasures.
Overall, "Simple Life" is a heartfelt ode to the power and beauty of a life that is free from the complications and stress that often plague us. Skaggs urges us to remember that sometimes, happiness can be found in the most simple and unassuming places.
Line by Line Meaning
Simple life is the life for me
Living a simple life is the perfect way for me
A man and a wife and a family
Being with my significant other and having a family
And the Lord up above who knows I'm tryin'
Knowing that God is aware of my efforts
To live a simple life in a difficult time.
During challenging times, I aim to lead an uncomplicated life.
I used to sit around fussin' at the phone all day
I spent my time previously, being angry at my telephone.
Windin' up alone and it'd make me say
Being on my own made me say things I regretted.
Never again will I be that way
I will not put myself in that situation again.
Well, I work six days and I rest for one
My routine involves six days of work and a day of rest
'Cause the ol' rat race ain't never been won
The goal of the rat race can never be achieved.
And I sit back and I watch 'em run
I relax and observe others in the race
The simple life is the life for me
Living modestly aligns with my values.
A man and a wife and a family
I want to have a spouse and children to share my life with.
The Lord up above who knows I'm tryin'
My actions are recognised by a higher power.
To live a simple life in a difficult time.
Leading an uncomplicated life during challenging times is my preference.
A steak and a knife and a glass of tea
Having a simple meal consisting of steak, knife and glass of tea.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Beginner Music
Written by: M. McAnally
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind