Ricky Skaggs: Rooted in Bluegrass by John Hillman   Ricky Skaggs never shies away from a challenge. Twice in his nearly 40-year career, the country artist has bucked the Nashville establishment, and both times the 49-year-old musician emerged victorious.   In 1981, the Kentucky native convinced Epic Records to abandon the Urban Cowboy sound popularized by Barbara Mandrell and Eddie Rabbit and return to more traditional country instruments and rhythms. The decision resulted in Skaggs' debut album, Waitin' For The Sun To Shine, which rocketed to the top of the country charts and generated two No. 1 singles. The success brought on by "Crying My Heart Out Over You" and "I Don't Care" spawned new artists such as George Strait and Randy Travis and led Grand Ole Opry host Chet Atkins to credit Skaggs as the saviour of country music.   "One of the biggest breaks I had was getting a record deal in Nashville," says Skaggs, who had just left Emmylou Harris' band and moved to Nashville. "Waitin' For The Sun To Shine did really well and so did the next album, Highways & Heartaches."   But following a string of 12 more country albums and another 10 chart-topping songs, Skaggs found himself at a crossroad in 1996. With pop influence dominating the Nashville scene, the 1985 Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year and four-time Grammy winner opted to drop his country sound in favour of bluegrass, his first musical love.   "I saw the writing on the wall," he says. "I was carrying two buses and a tractor trailer on the road and had 20 people on the payroll. I sensed roots music was about to explode, and I felt like I needed to get back to the basics.   "I sold both buses, got rid of the tractor trailer, and let my drummer, steel guitar player, and piano player go," he continues. "We trimmed down to an all-acoustic group and started playing bluegrass."   Since major record companies refused to issue niche albums, Skaggs formed his own label, Skaggs Family Records, and released Bluegrass Rules! in 1997. The album sold almost 200,000 copies and captured a 1998 Grammy Award. The recording's success prompted Skaggs to produce four more bluegrass albums plus a gospel album, Soldier of the Cross, in 1999.   But the recording star didn't face these trials and decisions alone. His relationship with Jesus Christ and strong Christian upbringing guided him throughout the difficult times and agonizing choices.   "I had a gut feeling, and I know it was God putting an impression in my heart," Skaggs said about his change in direction to bluegrass. "God uses simple things to confound the wise, and by returning to the simple things, everything we did fell into place."   Skaggs accepted Christ as his personal saviour as a teenager. He credits and praises his parents for setting the example that directed him toward the decision.   "My mother and father were both fine Christian people," says the eight-time Grammy winner. "I saw my mom and dad standing up and singing at church and revivals, and it put a glow of happiness on their faces.   "We were at a revival when I was about 13, and I watched my father go forward to rededicate his life to Jesus," he adds. "That really made an impression on me. I thought if my dad thinks it's important to become a Christian, it must be true because my dad's a good man. The next night, I didn't hesitate a bit and went forward to make my decision, and when I look back on that time, I know that's when I became a Christian."   The bluegrass artist and his band Kentucky Thunder will make two Canadian appearances during the summer of 2003. On the weekend of July 24-27, he will appear at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. On Saturday, August 9, Skaggs will share the stage at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival with jazz/pop star Norah Jones, winner of eight 2003 Grammy awards.   "Those attending can expect a great concert," says festival director Terry Wickham. "Bluegrass is always welcome at our festival because the musicians are top class, and the musical style shares many common roots with Celtic music."   Fans can receive a concert sampling by listening to Live At The Charleston Music Hall, the latest album from Skaggs Family Records. The recording showcases Skaggs both on the mandolin and guitar, as well as his smooth vocals.   The 15-song album recorded on two successive nights in November 2002 features a number of favourites including "Uncle Pen," "Get Up John," and "Black Eyed Suzie." Gospel music lovers will relish the Skaggs version of "I Heard My Mother Call My Name In Prayer."   "Bluegrass music is so out of the box and bigger than life," Skaggs explains about the decision to record a live album. "My band, Kentucky Thunder, is a great group. Their abilities to play so well every night make me really want to step up to the plate and knock it out of the park every time."   Although Skaggs reigns as one of the world's foremost bluegrass musicians today, he holds the genre's predecessors in great regard. He speaks with reverence and admiration about the late Bill Monroe and humbly accepts the mantle of carrying on his legacy.   "There is no way of ever taking Mr. Monroe's place, and I didn't want to do that," he says. "I only wanted to take my place. But when he passed away I took on that 'father' role. I feel as though God has made me a father to a lot of young people.   "I started playing bluegrass when I was just a child," Skaggs continues, "and now that I've come back, it's been the greatest thing that I've ever done.   "Coming out and saying you're a Christian sometimes has an effect on your career, but you can't outgive God, and anything we would do for Him doesn't go unnoticed." Do you want to feel Jesus' guidance in you life? Click here to find out how. [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs][Event Calendar] [Lifestyles] [Family Focus] [Juke Box] [Cover to Cover] [Movieguide][Casting the Net] [Viewpoints] [General Info] [Rates & Sizes][Marketplace/Classifieds] [Volunteer Ops] [Writing Guidelines] [Contact Us] [Subscribe][Archives] [Good News] [About Us][Links]