Shortly after 15-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder took the stage the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den it was clear that Skaggs has surrounded himself a fantastic masterful professional musicians. As the group’s lead vocalist and mandolin player, Skaggs is certainly the main attraction, but the six members of Kentucky Thunder are an added bonus on top of an already top notch performance.
Kentucky Thunder the band accompanying Skaggs consists of Paul Brewster and Jake Workman on guitars, Dennis Parker on guitar and fiddle, Jeff Picker with the upright bass, Mike Barnett on fiddle and Russ Carson on banjo. Throughout the show Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder made traditional bluegrass instruments produce a purely magical sound.
It’s obvious these artists have played many sets together and each tune was performed with perfect timing and wonderful harmonies. Skaggs was playing on his almost 97 year old Mandolin “Pee Wee” once owned by bluegrass great Darrell “Pee Wee” Lambert.
Skaggs didn’t fall back on only playing his most well known tunes with the exception of “Highway 40 Blues.” He instead gave a smattering of his range from toe tapping flat foot ready to an almost gospel sound. Skaggs follows in the traditions of Earls and Scruggs and many of those who shaped his early years of bluegrass. First playing the mandolin at the age of 5 when his father gave him one. Skaggs began his career at playing when asked to join Bill Monroe onstage at the age of 6. Skaggs, by the age of 7, played with legends Flatt & Scruggs on their show for his first paying gig and never looked back. As an adult he is one of the best known bluegrass artists still out on tour, known for his mandolin playing but he’s also accomplished on the guitar and other instruments.
A few members of the audience moved by the music took to the dance floor and two-stepped through a couple of songs. The band enjoyed the participation as did the crowd. If you have never seen Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder you are missing out on a legend of bluegrass that not many can compete with in these times. When and if you get the chance to see them don’t hesitate. Skaggs can still make a mandolin sing.
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
Setlist
Highway 40 Blues
Uncle Pen
Road To Spencer
Simple Life
Kentucky Waltz
Black Eyed Susie
Road To Spencer
Carolina In My Mind
Can’t Shake Jesus
Encore
Old Barns