Madonna Super Bowl Halftime Show: Romans, Cheerleaders and MIA's Middle Finger
Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
Randy Travis Apologizes for Public Intoxication
M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
The Best Colleges For The Socially Awkward Student
Josh Powell's Last Words: 'I Am Not Able To Go On Anymore': Report
Puddle of Mudd Singer Arrested in January for Drug Possession
American Heart Month: 17 Celebrities Who Faced Heart Problems
Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
Cee Lo's Super Bowl Strip Club Outing: Singer Reportedly Drops $10K
PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garters
Laura Linney's Colorful Frocks
Is Social Media Causing The Mystery Illness?
PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
The Best And Worst Burgers
Powell Boys Suffered 'Chop Injuries' Before Explosion
Prop 8, California's Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Declared Unconstitutional
Freakish Fossil Upends Ideas About Origins Of Animal Life
Missing Alaska Barista Had Filed Restraining Order Against Man
Obama's Favorite Day As President?
Werewolf Sisters Are Coated In Hair (PICTURES)
The Worst Super Bowl Commercials Of 2012
The 10 Biggest Sources Of Salt In Our Diets
Melissa Rivers' Boyfriend Brings Up Her Dad's Suicide In Argument On 'Joan & Melissa'
You Won't Believe This Incredible Basement Makeover
Good Things Come In Small Packages: Top Selling American Craft Breweries (PHOTOS)
Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
1 Can Of Paint, 25 Different Ways
Ricky Skaggs' band Kentucky Thunder has been one of bluegrass music's most important mainstays of the past decade. So it's a little surprising to learn that Ricky's latest venture is a total solo effort. Less surprising, however, when you discover the new album's very personal concept. 'Ricky Skaggs Solo (Songs My Dad Loved)' spotlights 13 tunes introduced to young Ricky by his dad, the late Hobert Skaggs."Some of these songs were my very first memories of music, of hearing my dad sing," Ricky tells Billboard. "If I could've gotten my dad into the studio, this is how I would've wanted him to sound."
Elaborating on that sound, Ricky says it's a blend of the quiet indie-folk of Iron & Wine and the traditional bluegrass of one of his mentors, the legendary Ralph Stanley. The album includes Ricky's takes on songs by, naturally, the Stanley Brothers, along with others by the Monroe Brothers and Clyde Moody.
Ricky sings every part and played every instrument himself, but says he kept the arrangements "very modestly dressed ... just mandolin, guitar and two vocals or two guitars and vocals or one claw-hammer banjo or something." And although his father would most likely approve, Ricky admits he would probably hear some of them and remark, "there's just too much stuff on there, son."
'Ricky Skaggs Solo (Songs My Dad Loved)' will be released Sept. 15 on his own Skaggs Family Records label, but even if it's not a huge seller, Ricky says he's happy with the result.
"I wasn't expecting anything out of it, really," he admits. "I just thought it would be a cool, fun project and the family will like it. We can give it away at Christmas time and stuff. If this sells 25 copies to the family, that'd be fine with me."
