New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - 'Highways & Heartaches' available February 24 for the first time on Skaggs Family Records, followed by other 1980's classics.
At the dawn of 1982, few might have predicted that Ricky Skaggs was about to become one of the most important country artists of the decade. But by years end, Skaggs had notched three No 1 country singles and become the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry, ascending to his perch atop the country music landscape. He was credited by legend Chet Atkins as 'single handedly saving' country music.
The 1982 release of 'Highways & Heartaches' was the start of a remarkable run for Skaggs of 12 No 1 Country singles and 12 Top 20 Country albums. Between the Spring of 1982 and the Summer of 1983, Skaggs saw 5 different songs reach No 1. In February of 1983 he won the first of his 13 Grammys, and two years later he would be the CMA's 'Entertainer of the Year.' The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll states 'It would be impossible to imagine new traditionalist country music without Ricky Skaggs.'
Available for the first time in years on CD, the February 24 reissue of 'Highways & Heartaches' on Skaggs Family Records finds Skaggs embarking on an ambitious project to expand his legacy. Culled from the original master tapes, Skaggs will release all of his Epic Records chart toppers, including 'Waiting for the Sun to Shine,' 'Don't Cheat In Our Hometown' and 'Country Boy.'
The platinum selling 'Highways & Heartaches' spawned three No 1 Country hits, 'Heartbroke,' 'I Wouldn't Change You If I Could,' and 'Highway 40 Blues.' The album features appearances by Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Buck White and Sharon White, and the songwriting expertise of Rodney Crowell, Larry Cordle, Bill Monroe and Guy Clark.
The past year has been a stellar one as well for Skaggs, bookended by a Grammy win for his Gospel collaboration with the Whites, 'Salt of the Earth' (Skaggs Family Records), and a Grammy nomination for 'Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute To 1946 and 1947' (Skaggs Family Records). In between Skaggs released not only 'Honoring the Fathers,' which Billboard called 'nothing short of brilliant,' but also 'The High Notes' (Cracker Barrel), a collection of his No 1 Country hits re-worked as Bluegrass. Skaggs also toured relentlessly with his ace band Kentucky Thunder as well as fellow Grammy-winner Bruce Hornsby, and found time to record with the Raconteurs, on a Bluegrass inspired version of their song 'Old Enough.'
