Ricky Skaggs - Country Boy - Live On The BBC's Wogan Show 1986

[dluna88]

3:05 great piano solo

[HeavyMetalBluegrass]

Love the 'Looney-Toon' lick right near the end.

[JEWELRYMARKETINGGUY]

Anybody know who the piano player is on this?

[donnyaldridge]

@JEWELRYMARKETINGGUY Gary Smith

[EpiKzGaming]

i love this song. ricky scaggs is my idol

[undergroundrailway]

and tony rice



[MoonSteeler]

Wow Terry Crisp

JR (UK)

[ZakeWagner]

TABS!?

[ZakeWagner]

TABS

[rocmaven]

Ricky Skaggs is coming tot he watseka theatre watseka illinois on august 26. I have my tickets.

[AdventOctober]

If yall think he's good at guitar you should see him go on mandolin!

[jacobrussellable]

you dont see that anymore bad ass instruments

[jts024]

what just happened

[buckley54]

Is that the reason? I was wondering what it was.

[Joeosforasteiros]

3 idots didn´t like it!!!! yeeeeeeeeehaaww

[buckley54]

why does skaggie play so many bum notes in his rendition of the popular tune?

[BigBoiJC]

@buckley54 because he's not perfect. he's incredible but he's not perfect.

[wayno705]

Dunno about you lot - but when i'm listening to ricky - I'm a happy little Country Bunny ! ? lol x x x x

[badfinger848]

Even though I prefer Albert Lee's version, Ricky Skaggs' version is still great...and, as much as I love Skaggs' guitar work, there's something about his mandolin work that I do prefer. Of course, he's obviously great at both instruments. One of the guitarists that does play with Skaggs in the band Kentucky Thunder, Cody Kilby, is an even better guitarist than Skaggs, if you ask me (and being as good as Skaggs is on guitar is impressive itself).

[tdog897]

holy shit that is awesome

[petersamiutenki]

Are they humans? Cyborgs or UFOs? Marvelous! :)

[jennysmith1]

Absolutely amazing!!! What a clever, clever man he certainly has music in his soul :)

[backwoodsgps]

lovin it Real

[backwoodsgps]

lovin it

[skeetv123]

To anyone who has anything bad to say about this, try playing this keeping up with the breakneck rhythm section, singing in harmony, while improvising solos in time. Just watch Ricky's solo from 1:44 - 1:52 and how he burns right through that guitar. It's been said bluegrass is the hardest kind of music to play and I wouldn't doubt it.

[BigBoiJC]

@skeetv123 and this is 160-180 beats per minute (that's FAST!) this is one of the big tunes that really brought Ricky to the table.

[BRONC141]

Try playing Steel guitar licks at that speed!

[JackRusselTerrorist]

holy shit.

[KingHopeMusic]

To play those riffs on an electric....that's one thing....to play it on an unforgiving acoustic....man...just killer!!! Great post!! ~♫ KK

[peterguit]

3.35 Lol

[eddiesiegel]

@peterguit yea, what a goofy face!! ha ha

[MerlinAmbrosius17]

This song makes me want to drink dangerous amounts of moonshine and do unnatural things with barn animals. :-P

[TheSabastian19]

@MerlinAmbrosius17 thats kinda creepy

[SirCoughsalot]

Saw him in concert tonight... Everyone begged and begged for this song but he wouldn't play it. I have absolutely no idea why. It was still a great concert, though.

[BigBoiJC]

@SirCoughsalot probably because they hadn't rehearsed it. Ricky really hasn't done country boy since his country days.

[Gazontheraz]

Thumbs ALOFT!

[billyconnearly]

The BEST of The BEST - musicians do not come any better than this!!

[KennediKingMusic]

Man.... playin like that on an acoustic... that's NOT easy!! KILLER guitar and great vocals too. ~KK

[billyconnearly]

Ultimate musical talent organised into an amazing tour-de-force!

[Riba121]

awesome!

[skinsfantim]

@ollytaylor fuck you!! I bet ur a gag too.. I hate fags!!

[tranurse]

@skinsfantim he's been married to sharon white forever. and who cares if he is gay or not? i don't. i have enough to worry about in my own life. i look at it this way, what ever grown folks do in the privacy of their own bedroom, is their business, so long as everyone wants to be there, and noone is hurt. get your swerve on, just don't tell me about it.

[watzdatsmel]

ricky skaggs is the eddie van halen of country guitar players

anyone who agrees give me a thumbs up

[BelethRising]

@watzdatsmel Ricky is the RICKY of ALL guitar player.. Eddie who? lol

[carnut476]

@watzdatsmel 

[carnut476]

@watzdatsmel

[carnut476]

@watzdatsmel i tried to vote but they won't let us vote anymore

[royrhodes]

Ricky and the boys certainly blow out the cobwebs on the Albert Lee classic.The musicianship is 2nd to none,..and Ricky's vocal is spot on.Well done to the Beeb's sound

guys who got the balance just right!!

[skinsfantim]

I always thought Ricky was a fag, but the fag sure can play!!!

[ollytaylor]

@skinsfantim What difference would that make? Bigot.

[deeredrake]

He's not a bad ass guitar player!!! He's a bad ass on ANYTHING with strings!!!

[vocalist1952]

Does it really matter if he did or did not write it. The man is a musical genius and that guitar picking is simply God given - wow now thats what I call puttin your talent were your mouth is. Being a critic is fine but it sure dont beat the man proving it by making the geetar talk. Good on ya Ricky.

[vocalist1952]

Does it really matter if he did or did not write it. The man is a musical genius and that guitar picking is simply God given - wow now thats what I call puttin your talent were your mouth is. Being a critic is fine but it sure dont beat the man proving it by making the geetar talk. Good on ya Ricky.

[joelostrom86]

LOL right at 3:34 - he plays the Looney Tunes theme! what a character!

[allnightpancakes]

That lick at the end was worth the wait.

[allnightpancakes]

Holy cow!!

[nsra1933]

They all have mullets..

[BigBoiJC]

@nsra1933 none of them have mullets...ricky has the "feathered" look.

the rest of the guys have short hair.

[celtno1]

Don't know about that, that Pianist looks suspiciously mullety..lol...That nonsense aside, brilliant playing all round.

[2handsforchrist]

@celtno1 yeah. that was gary back in the day!

[2handsforchrist]

@nsra1933 no they don't

[nsra1933]

@2handsforchrist thank you mr. litteral.

[royraaijmakers]

damn, it surprises me his guitar doesn't go up in flames while playing this song!!

[juswannawatchthings]

its not possible to hate this its too damn good!!!!

[damoparman]

its the 80s we all had helmet hair ha ha ha

[48brianm]

hes as good as hendrix srv eddie van halen just a different style watch Albert Lees version SICK

[shakeypitt]

Good Country song, written by a Brit.

[mud409]

@shakeypitt Co-written by a Brit...

[shakeypitt]

Who else was involved?

[mud409]

Ricky Skaggs... watch?v=502ZjHWBVUk

[BigBoiJC]

Albert Lee

[shakeypitt]

Yeah, I wasn't aware that Skaggs was involved in writing it. I was under the impression that he took it on after hearing Albert play it. I can't find his name on any of the writing credits.

[BigBoiJC]

Ricky had no hand in writing this

[THB79]

WEE-HAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zoed707]

Yeah! ~ Ricky Skaggs is a real guitar picker! . . . and Terry Crisp on steel isn't too shabby either!

Hell, that whole Ricky Skaggs band is just awesome !!!

[80sheadbanger963]

i used to think eddie van halen was the best guitar player........now i have changed my mind

[kandyno]

Then listen to Mean Street again...you'll change it back...

[Waynester1973]

whose that on the Piano, he is friggin awesome!

[BigBoiJC]

that's Gary Smith.

[kevivn1]

That's just sick!

[goldsmithstudent]

hes been playing since he wwas 6 yrs old

[121649able]

I wonder how many hours of practice it took to reach that leval of picking.

[umalaz]

superb mastery of the instrument.simply fantastic!!

[Pimporly]

He is a bad ass guitar player!!!!!!!!!!

[PAULOcbi]

thanx

[ZakeWagner]

@Pimporly

[JohnnyOsborneMusic]

Wow

[videowatcher4006]

Thanks for sharing this, brought back some memories

[dapsapsrp]

This was probably a real treat for the UK audiences. Bluegrass and country music is very popular in England and Scotland. Some of the biggest bluegrass music festivals in the world are held in the UK.

[specifictender]

Im probably sayin too much now; however, Rickys guitar is great too. Just showin this clip to my wife.

[specifictender]

wheww Im just getting through those solos. Everyone is at the top of the game...evryone of em

[specifictender]

Im a singer and sometimes I get good dough to play. This guy is one of my alltime favorite vocalists and musicians. Man, my favorite tenor of all time.

[swellcat66]

Stellar, of course. Terry Crisp's crisp technique is inspiring . . . or depressing, depending on one's perspective.

Appreciate the credible sounding personnel history. Funny that there'd be more info on the subject in comments here than you might find on some instrument forums.

[80sheadbanger963]

man i love that fiddle solo

[rockinredneck57]

Ain't no doubt few can hold a candle to Ricky Scaggs on just about any stringed instrument. I love acoustic lead playing and he picks as hard and fast as any I've seen.

[tiskettaskit]

My god i love the pedal steel solo on this song, i never get tired of it!! Makes my day.

[sus453]

That's the great Terry Crisp (on steel guitar).

[HB1964]

The one that gets a workout is the drummer!

[keggers101]

anybody know who the steelie is because it's not Bruce Bouton

[BigBoiJC]

Terry Crisp

[trooper553]

You're right. Bruce must have moved on before this performance.

[BigBoiJC]

Bruce was actually fired from the band. as was Flacke

[trooper553]

BBJC,

I didn't know there was any ill feeling between Bouton and Ricky. But the 1st time I saw him @ Valley Forge Music Fair, you could pick up an undercurrent between Ricky and Ray. Maybe it had to do with the "Ray Flacke Fan Club" signs throughout the audience. I didn't know enough, then, but I found as time went by that there was bit of jealousy, there. And rightly earned I believe. As much as I like Ricky, I think Flacke had the upper hand re: talent and ability on the guitar

[trooper553]

BBJC,

While we're on the subject of talent and ability, may I encourage you to visit the numerous vids of davidpedalsteel or david hartley. He's a resident of the U.K. and, for MY money is either one of the or IS the best pedal steel guitar I've had the pleasure of hearing. He has NUMEROUS vids on the tube, many of which are Skaggs tunes. See if you agree with me - I think he EXCEEDS talent and ability of Crisp, Tom Brumley, even Bouton. A different point of view would be refreshing.

[BigBoiJC]

it was never a matter of talent...it was a matter of doing what the boss asks you to do. Ray is certainly talented as is bruce..but the thing is that you have to take your cues from whoever is in authority over what you're doing.

[trooper553]

On this point, I couldn't agree with you any more. Discipline is crucial for a good performance. BUT, I didn't attend just one or two concerts. Back then, we "chased" Ricky all over the East Coast and never heard a bad performance. As I got to recognize "The Boys in the Band", I could pick out various traits and abilities. With all due respect, I don't think Ricky could hold candle to Ray. Is there the tiniest possibility, at least where Ray was concerned, that a bit of ego slid into the mix?

[BigBoiJC]

you did chase him...have you met him?

[trooper553]

I've met him only on a fan level - autographs after the performance, etc. Although he strikes me as a really down to earth kind of guy, I don't think he could, get into a jaw jackin' session with fans, no matter how much he MIGHT want to. Time is tight on tour. Truth is, I always wanted to talk with Jesse, Lew, and Ray after seeing Ricky. Never got the opportunity, though. Too many other fans.

[BigBoiJC]

I've got a lot of love and respect for Ray and Bruce...but I think Bruce's attitude really polarized the band. if you'll look at the video of ricky doing Don't Get Above Your Raisin' on Austin City Limits you'll see that Bruce and Ray were on one side of the stage and the other band members were waay over to the other side. Dad said this was done because of Bruce and Ray

[trooper553]

That's a damn shame. There was a tremendous amount of talent on that stage in the earlier days. Since "Kentucky Thunder" emerged, and finally Bobby left, things haven't been the same. In fact, things turned around for me, personally, with his concert at Long Park in Lancaster, PA.

[BigBoiJC]

that's the truth! i've known Ricky for so many years and realized one thing: he never had anyone on that stage with him that wasn't at the top of their game. I mean he used the best of the best musicians. in fact..while i've got a lot of love for all the drummers he used through the years....the one who stood out the most for me was Mike Kennedy because he was a rock and roll drummer who played country and did it so well. and one of my favorite piano players that he had was a guy........

[BigBoiJC]

named Mickey Merritt. Mickey was such a blessed man who could play that piano so well. sadness struck us years ago when Mickey passed away. When Mickey left initially...they found a guy who played the FIRE out ot that piano...but not like Mickey. that was Gary Smith.

[trooper553]

I first remember Gary when I saw the "Country Boy" video. As you say, he played the fire out of the piano. He ALWAYS came across, as Lew, Jesse, and Bobby, (at least to me) as just having fun and enjoyingfmaking that concert special. He seemed so enthusiastic.

[BigBoiJC]

Gary was so talented and he just looked like he was having a great amount of fun. one thing he did that really caught my ear was that on "Rocking The Boat" (Live In London) he used the "Popeye" lick and (as a small kid) that really impressed me.

[trooper553]

Ricky is one of a kind. When I first heard him, he was just getting started. His sound really appealed to me and I found a lot of enjoyment listening to his harmonies and the professionals he surroinded himself with. As for his drummers, this one I have to pass. I don't remember any drummers other than Grantham. (I believe first name was George) I had just about every tape he had produced, but through a "dispute", no more. My favorite is Country Boy featuring all of the band. Great stuff.

[BigBoiJC]

Grantham was good...but to me he's no Mike Kennedy.

[donnyaldridge]

Hicks and Skaggs also had a falling out of some sorts when Bobby left back in 03..

[donnyaldridge]

Well Ricky always said the "Boys in the band." Thats what he called them. I think this was a year after the Live In London which was in 85. Your dad is Jesse Chambers?

[BigBoiJC]

yeah donny! and I know he always did that...but Keith Bilbrey always intro'ed them on the opry tv show as Ricky Skaggs and the Ricky Skaggs band

[BigBoiJC]

i believe this is right around when Live In London came out. btw...this is Ricky Skaggs and The Ricky Skaggs Band. not "The Boys In The Band".

[SpankyDynamite]

I surrender...

[BigBoiJC]

this is pretty fast stuff isn't it?

[FavioSanchezIII]

fast doesn't seem to do justice........Lightning speed maybe? Unbelievable! Amazing! Awesome!

An old musical friend called it "Gerbils on Speed".

[BigBoiJC]

Amen! this was done somewhere between 160 and 200 bpm

[jeremyscottball]

I think "Live in London" was 1986 as well. Could be around the same time. He looks and is dressed just like the "Live in London" album (except he doesn't have the moustache). Looks like the exact lineup too.