Ricky Skaggs Named 2013 Artist-in-Residence at Country Music Hall of Fame

2013 has been a good year for Ricky Skaggs, and it seems to be getting better. The Kentucky native has been announced as the 2013 Artist-in-Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The announcement came on Sunday night (Oct. 6) from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium.

“Ricky Skaggs has created his own career path,” Museum Director Kyle Young explains. “It’s rare to find an artist who thrives in three different genres, but Ricky does. He is highly respected in country, bluegrass and gospel music, and he has a way of blending these styles that delights music fans."

He adds, "Ricky has been a great friend to the museum for many years. He was on hand, in 2011, when we announced our plans for expanding the museum. Now he will present the museum’s first public program in our new CMA Theater. With its nearly 800-seat capacity, the new theater allows us to welcome more guests while still maintaining the intimate atmosphere that makes our Artist-in-Residence series so special.”

The honor goes to artists who have made significant contributions to American music. Previous honorees include Cowboy Jack Clement, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill and Kenny Rogers.

In the past several months, Skaggs' duets album with Bruce Hornsby, 'Cluck Ol' Hen,' debuted at the top of the charts, he received an IBMA nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year, and he released his autobiography, 'Kentucky Traveler: My Life in Music.'

The 59-year-old will play at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 18 and 19, where he will be joined both nights by an all-star cast of performers. On Nov. 18, the show will have a country music theme, and artists and songwriters including Brad Paisley, Emmylou Harris, Peter Frampton, and Gordon Kennedy  will share the stage with Skaggs.

The next night, Nov. 19, Skaggs will show off his bluegrass roots, along with Hornsby, Alison Krauss, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill and Del McCoury. The Whites, as well as his own band, Kentucky Thunder, will join Skaggs both nights.

Tickets, which begin at $35, will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 18 and are available here. Pre-sale for museum members begins on Oct. 15.