Kentucky Thunder, or Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, is the band that plays with American country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs. Many members of the band have won numerous awards. Bandleader Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and is the lead vocalist. The group has won the Instrumental Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association multiple times, as well as seven Grammy Awards.
Lineup The current lineup serving under Ricky is: Russell Carson - Banjo (since 2014) Justus Ross - Lead Guitar (since 2024) Troy Engle - Rhythm Guitar, Baritone Vocals (since 2025) Mike Rogers - Guitar and Tenor Vocals (since 2021) Billy Contreras - Fiddle (since 2021) Gavin Kelso - Upright Bass (since 2022)
Lineups 1997 1997–1999 1999–2001Ricky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Bobby Hicks – fiddle Marc Pruett – banjo Bryan Sutton – lead guitar Mark Fain – bass Gary "Bud" Smith – pianoRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Jim Mills – banjo Bryan Sutton – lead guitar Bobby Hicks – fiddle Mark Fain – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Darrin Vincent – Dobro, baritone vocals Jim Mills – banjo Bobby Hicks – fiddle Luke Bella – fiddle Clay Hess – lead guitar Mark Fain – bass 2001–2004 2004–2007 2007–2008Ricky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Darrin Vincent – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Jim Mills – banjo Bobby Hicks – fiddle Andy Leftwich – fiddle Mark Fain – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Darrin Vincent – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Jim Mills – banjo Andy Leftwich – fiddle Mark Fain – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Darrin Vincent – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Ben Helson – guitar Jim Mills – banjo Andy Leftwich – fiddle Mark Fain – bass 2008–2010 2010–2012 2012–2014Ricky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Edie Faris – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Jim Mills – banjo Andy Leftwich – fiddle Mark Fain – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Edie Faris – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Justin Moses – banjo Andy Leftwich – fiddle Mark Fain – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Edie Faris – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Justin Moses – banjo Andy Leftwich – fiddle Scott Mulvahill – bass 2014–2016 2016–2017 2017–2018Ricky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Edie Faris – Dobro, baritone vocals Cody Kilby – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Andy Leftwich – fiddle Scott Mulvahill – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Edie Faris – Dobro, baritone vocals Jake Workman – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Mike Barnett – fiddle Scott Mulvahill – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Edie Faris – Dobro, baritone vocals Jake Workman – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Mike Barnett – fiddle Jeff Picker – bass 2018–2021 2021–2022 2022–2024Ricky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Paul Brewster – guitar, tenor vocals Dennis Parker – rhythm guitar, baritone vocals Jake Workman – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Mike Barnett – fiddle Jeff Picker – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Mike Rogers – guitar, tenor vocals Dennis Parker – rhythm guitar, baritone vocals Jake Workman – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Billy Contreras – fiddle Jeff Picker – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Mike Rogers – guitar, tenor vocals Dennis Parker – rhythm guitar, baritone vocals Jake Workman – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Billy Contreras – fiddle Gavin Kelso – bass 2024–2025 2025–presentRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Mike Rogers – guitar, tenor vocals Dennis Parker – rhythm guitar, baritone vocals Justus Ross – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Billy Contreras – fiddle Gavin Kelso – bassRicky Skaggs – mandolin, lead vocals Mike Rogers – guitar, tenor vocals Troy Engle – rhythm guitar, baritone vocals Justus Ross – lead guitar Russell Carson – banjo Billy Contreras – fiddle Gavin Kelso – bass
Discography Title Album details Peak chart positions US Grass US Country US Bluegrass Rules! Release date: October 21, 1997 Label: Rounder Records — 45 — Ancient Tones Release date: January 26, 1999 Label: Skaggs Family Records — 46 — Soldier of the Cross Release date: September 14, 1999 Label: Skaggs Family Records — 65 — History of the Future Release date: September 11, 2001 Label: Skaggs Family Records 10 35 — Live at the Charleston Music Hall Release date: March 25, 2003 Label: Skaggs Family Records 2 32 — Brand New Strings Release date: September 28, 2004 Label: Skaggs Family Records 1 60 — Instrumentals Release date: August 1, 2006 Label: Skaggs Family Records 1 73 — Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass:Tribute to 1946 and 1947 Release date: March 25, 2008 Label: Skaggs Family Records 1 29 191 Music to My Ears Release date: September 25, 2012 Label: Skaggs Family Records 2 52 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart Guest artists on The Chieftains' Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions (2002)
Awards
Grammy awards Source: 1998 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Bluegrass Rules! 1999 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 2008 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 & 1947
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 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
References
External links Andy Leftwich Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (2020)