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

Ricky Skaggs And "The Boys In The Band" Perform Country Boy "Live" On The BBC's Wogan Show During Their 1986 Tour

[@markmcdowell7739]

Real musicianship. No auto tune, no canned music, no audio tracks. A live presentation that was truly live.

[@danroberts9050]

Hey poser, why not tell us all about "auto tune"? We'd all love to hear your expertise on the subject.

[@mu4990]

I'd love to hear your experience with tracks as well...are you totally unaware that 95% of your favorite bands use them?

[@danroberts9050]

@@mu4990 I produced concerts and records for about 20 years and you're simply wrong. Occasionally they are used, primarily on backs in the studio but generally not much on leads. Never live! Too dangerous. They typically cross over at about 50 cents which means if you are that much off which, happens live a lot, then you're literally singing a totally different note one half step sharp or flat which would sound like dog shit! Most people, especially live "stylize" by singing a little sharp or flat. Stevie Nicks made a career by singing "under the note" meaning she sang a bit flat all the time. Can you imagine what would happen?? Also, it goes nuts with glissandos (which just happened in this song a little). Fact is, only posers believe that "auto tune" is common (95% of the time). But don't listen to me. How could I know anything about anything, right?

[@thekidnamedfinger420]

cocaine is a hell of a drug

[@WildPhotoShooter]

Every one at the top of their profession, so good they can entertain while playing . One of the greatest country bands in history.

[@chrisbarlow2131]

To play like that on an electric guitar is awesome. To play like that on an acoustic guitar, which is far far less forgiving shows an unbelievable talent at work. Brilliant stuff.

[@mwg911hk]

Even the last riff he played as the song ended was pretty dang technical..

[@outlawguitar2092]

You've got to master the Acoustic before You've master the guitar.

[@crumpmakecountrygreatagain425]

I agree. I myself dabble im that style but it just hurts too much to do it for a living. Strong hands too

[@LinkRocks]

Ricky is one of the best acoustic pickers on the planet. Not many can do what he does with the instrument.

[@robotgoose225]

That is a Martin though, but yeah, I wouldn't even try to take anything away from this guy, he's killer on that thing. Jaw dropping stuff.

[@TheSkaggs54]

Welcome to The Country Music Hall of Fame Mr. Ricky Skaggs it's way past due!!!

[@dbrutiger8232]

Too good

[@eamonngreville8561]

This has to be one of the very best live performances ever! The skills and talent on show are stellar! I can only imagine how long they were warming up off screen simply to hit the ground running with this! Awesome stuff!!

[@robotgoose225]

Has to be one of, not my favourite live performances ever. It's got the whole package, beautiful harmonies, tight playing etc etc etc... but much kudos has to be given to the recording/mixing, also. Damn those engineers at the BBC knew what was what!

[@williammahoney2113]

Fantastic!

[@elizabethbrooks5555]

Vince Gill and Ricky Scaggs nearly set the guitar strings on fire when they play..... amazingly talented and such a blessing to all us country music lovers.

[@garylovegrove1127]

Now this is real country music. Absolutely terrific and wish country music was still like this.

[@karolavansuchtelenvandehaa4313]

OK, just call it "Hilbilly Rock"?

[@mrquarters1]

NO ONE, Nobody, is better then Ricky Skaggs. Not very Many IF YOU CAN FIND ONE These days would be as good as Ricky Skaggs. He is a LEGEND! He will ALWAYS Be around with his Music. I love that Man. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxo

[@TEXASLOYAL]

REAL musicians

[@rrrockhard]

This is so far beyond of everything I heard on acoustic guitar before. Incredible. And, apart from this, what a great band!

[@Babybluebbw]

July 18, 1954 - Ricky Skaggs is born in Cordell, Kentucky. Centered in bluegrass, he leads a swing toward traditional country in the early-1980s, joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1982 and taking the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year in 1985. Happy 61st Birthday Ricky!

[@TheFiddle101]

Country/bluegrass/honky-tonk all rolled into one. I've always loved his version of the song, it's great to be able to see a performance of it. Thanks very much for posting.

[@keithwaynejones]

yep. basically bluegrass with drums and a steel

[@TheFiddle101]

@@keithwaynejones ... and a piano! But yes, it's Bluegrass and no question.

[@jamespasifull3424]

Check out the guy who wrote 'Country Boy', while in his early 20's!! 😲 His name's Albert Lee, & he's a Brit, who has been named 'best country guitar picker' more times than anyone else..........in Nashville !! 😲 He's played with everyone who's anyone, including Clapton, & Emmylou Harris, and is still one of the best..........in his late 70's 😲😲😲

[@donnamanuel3531]

I never knew this song was written by a Brit!! Wow, I thought someone from the US south wrote it. 😭❤️

[@tomswink819]

Albert Co wrote it with Rickey

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

I saw this when it aired on TV in the UK in 1986, and recall thinking that there was going to be a real live band rather than miming when I saw the floor monitors as the show started. Fortunately I also recorded it, so I was able to watch this performance many times! Skaggs' "Live In London" show was also televised, if I recall correctly. He played a mini-telecaster mandolin on some songs, and the concert was released as a live album.

[@dougieh9676]

The guitar is not his main instrument, it's mandolin, and he STILL shreds. 🎵❤️🎶

[@realJHerndon]

Masterful. Beginning to end.

[@davidheywood5112]

Amazing! and that chord progression is something else luv it !!

[@clifflong1203]

To play THAT song LIVE!? Only the best on every instrument 😏👌👍

[@bruceohandley2024]

Skaggs is an absolute legend!

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

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

[@markgreen3135]

Big smile on my face all the way through that, blistering!

[@40ounce58]

Got to see Ricky Scaggs Concert many years ago and it was an awesome show.

[@digitalmediafan]

Wow this takes me back, what a shame country music hss never been popular here

[@psycoticreaction9135]

This is genuine COUNTRY SHRED!!! I would not have believed that each of these soloists could pulll this off if I had not seen it with my own two eyes!!!

[@reachblowsdick7222]

The speed, precision and perfect voice pitch is unbelievable, it's like a supercharged country song on nitro meth! WOW!!!

[@robotgoose225]

Pick goes straight back in those strings after. All in a days work.

[@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........

[@dabneyoffermein595]

I can tell you that the picking part that Ricky does in this number is one of very difficult measure and even for Ricky you have to be on every note like your life depending on it because playing acoustic guitar has a resolution like no other instrument under a live mic. A mistake and it's there for the whole world to see, in this case for all of the UK to see. This was Skaggs as his level-best, at his peak, nailing every note, watch as he makes it look easy but also is looking at the fretboard while playing to make sure he doesn't disappoint himself or anyone else on the planet. Yes, he was a prodigy as a kid and very gifted, but a ton of work goes into being that good, a ton. 01:14 BUT, if you want to see the real legend of this song, check this video out which features Ricky AND the legend himself, Albert Lee, a GOD guitarist and a co-writer of the song from his days with Head, Hands, & Feet. Check out his BIO sometime on Wiki, but for now here's a masterful performance by them both. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2GVi51-jKeJi80

[@T.R.R.Jolkien]

As a heavy metal fan, I definitely approve. You try to play this…

[@fiddlefolk]

I have always been a huge Ricky Skaggs fan. He always has a super talented band and the man himself can play the heck out of most anything. The way he mixed bluegrass instruments in a country band ushered in a new sound back in the day.

[@alanscott6836]

Tearing it up !!

[@chestermarcol3831]

Check out Albert Lee covering this tune. Ricky is a guitar god, but Albert takes it to another level

[@HeavyMetalBluegrass]

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

[@adolpholiverbush2]

That's ridiculous. I have a Martin D28. To play at that level isn't just practice, or diligence, it's a gift. Amazing.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

Nice guitar dude, they don't sell those down at the five and dime. Treasure that thing and if you ever do learn to play like Ricky, you can have it diamond encrusted. I don't know this, but I have heard that to fret on a Martin D28 is very kind on the fingers. Like you don't have to press so dang hard and make groove marks on your fingers like I do on my cheapo. But I ain't complainin' momma would slap me

[@itioeowiequio]

Not true. Its all about practice son. It's not about the D28.

[@adolpholiverbush2]

@@dabneyoffermein595 it was my late grandfather's. 1969 model. I got Gruhns to do a full neck off restoration. Grandpa was a Muhlenberg county coal miner, and shoveled coal with Merle Travis, who liked my grandma. She said he was a quote pill popping drunk, lol.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

@@adolpholiverbush2 wow, what a story!! Love it !! And love that you have such a nice guitar that you can nurture. Merle looked like such a clean cut dude, like he'd be a straight-laced accountant somewhere, but NOOOO, that dude had a rap-sheet !!! unbelievable. That place you had the guitar restored, wow, looks like a great place. Also, I just saw a Martin D-18 1942 for $16,000 on their website. (I'm not sure what the "18" means in the model number, but perhaps you do)

[@adolpholiverbush2]

@@dabneyoffermein595 George Gruhn literally took me in his office (which was filled, and I mean FILLED with reptile tanks, large boas, pythons, you name it) and spoke into a dictaphone thing. Then printed up a super high quality appraisal (cost me 75 bucks I think) on acid free stock, exceptionally thick. The appraisal on mine was a modest 5k. The guy who did it (and on his own time, as Gruhn DOES NOT do work for the public, only for pros) said the real value was 8-10k. The reason he took the job was because of the story, as he is fond of "legacy" guitars, and this one has been in our family since bought. We heard Grandpa play many a tune on it at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Initially, he had promised it to a cousin upon his death, and when said cousin's two sons got on meth really bad, she knew it wasn't safe. She gave it to my Mom, said "Give this to your son, he'll take care of it." I have, and do. She passed on a few years back, and while her life was tumultuous, she knew the value. RIP Dottie, you were a good woman.

[@leftfieldmind]

The pianist was Gary Smith, who also played for Barbara Mandrell during the early 80 s

[@rogreen54]

I love this tune, it spotlights every band member but the bass player! Even that pianist tore them keys a new one! But Ricky is a super talent, picking or singing!

[@rubydazzler]

The bass had his moment, didn't see the drummer at all. I've never seen anything like this, it was amazing. I came here from Wings of Pegasus analysis by Fil Henley to see the thing without interruptions, it's been worth the time!

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

I love the Yngwie type shred part at the very end. And it’s on a non cut away acoustic! Unbelievable. Wow.

[@DavidNicholson101]

Every time I hear the banjo part, it always makes me think of Bo and Luke getting away from Boss Hogg and Rosco lol.

[@glen7318]

+David Nicholson Ha ha!

[@wrnchhead76]

Hell yeah haha

[@isaiahgauthier2176]

U...U...no good duke boys....OU...OU...i’m gonna getcha ya’lll.....oooof!!! Ennnissss!!!!!!

[@ericcooper8460]

Music this good is sure hard to come by in 2022! #🔥

[@jhonharoldcalderonsalom2641]

Amazing! I'm from Colombia and It's really fantastic the way they play on live

[@slowrollinlow2313]

Ricky is a bad ass period!! I'd like to see Eric Clapton pick like that.

[@mmnootzenpoof]

The guy who wrote this song, Albert Lee, was Clapton's backing guitarist on tour for many years.

[@lambert1702]

@@mmnootzenpoof Albert Lee and Ricky Skaggs are both much much better players than Clapton.

[@mmnootzenpoof]

@@lambert1702 Even Clapton acknowledged that about Albert Lee, at least.

[@ramirotamez6698]

You can't compare... Ricky Skaggs no Doubt

[@ShootYourRadio]

Clapton is way over rated.

[@shaynaglick9325]

I wish there were more words but simply put: incredible!

[@julianp2283]

The Force is strong with this one.

[@darkhorse1255]

All country boys should be proud. Boss

[@richardhead8264]

*TAKE **_THAT,_** modern music!!*

[@wrnchhead76]

I like every genre, and when people say country is bad, I’m like oh well check this out!

[@RoyJMartin]

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

[@danroberts9050]

They're specially made of asbestos. Fire retardant.

[@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.

[@sumobear1777]

holy crap! the piano player played that fast part with one hand and stayed almost as accurately as the studio version.

[@terriwronker5444]

Gary Smith. He used to play for Barbara Mandrell

[@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.

[@edwardcook2973]

I got two words for you. Roy Clark.

[@jameskid81]

@@edwardcook2973 Albert Lee who actually wrote this

[@db5837]

When a bunch of hot musicians get together this is what you get!

[@robertgay8750]

I love all kinds of music and this song has the very best guitar and banjo work of any song ever

[@brianortiz5238]

Rock and Roller by heart but these guys are crushing it. You have to be good at what you do to play like this. These guys are Great!!!

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

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

[@edwardcook2973]

I got two words for you. Roy Clark.

[@edwardcook2973]

I got two words for you. Roy Clark.

[@bentattersfield7987]

The piano player always reminds me of Paul Whitehouse hamming it up on The Fast Show's "Jazz Club" lol

[@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.

[@lynntempleton9640]

Incredible musicianship. Masters.

[@Jim1701X]

Grew up idolizing metal guitarists of the 80's, much respect to this amazing talent!

[@namcat53]

I had to check the playback speed setting to make sure it wasn't 3x.

[@elpaso13]

Sacré country boy 👍avec une Steel en forme (entre autre )

[@elkinsinboxinc]

I'm surprised nothing caught fire while they were playing like that.

[@Mysterious_Grimpond]

Good God call the fire department, those strings are on fire!!! Great!

[@billwilliamson3764]

That dude is a killer guitar play especially in his younger years didn’t miss a lick.

[@doomlava8]

Talent like this needs to come back. So many wannabes these days.

[@sivadyert]

That tempo!

[@seancorbett3278]

That's so bad ass.

[@richjr1981]

This may be one of the most talented string sections in any band ever. That's some serious musicianship.

[@metalabsynth]

god, back when country was fun

[@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.

[@jamesmoore6935]

Oh my sweet Lord.

[@allnightpancakes]

That lick at the end was worth the wait.

[@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.

[@traildoggy]

His hair is a symbiotic entity. It plays the guitar real good though.

[@TheFiddle101]

Funnily enough, in his old CD sleeve notes, he would name his hair stylist among the people he thanked

[@heart2art]

Do you know how fast you have to dance to this???? LOVE IT. Fantastic memories dancing the 80's away!!

[@ElmoPiano]

Thanks for posting this video of this Ricky Skaggs classic. The sheet music for the terrific piano solo on "Country Boy" can be found at manymidi.com/sheetmusic.htm - a note-for-note transcription.

[@jasonstriker5975]

I'm loving this, he's just as good live.

[@vernonhill7438]

Malmsteen of country.

[@markz5505]

For the record ,the great Albert Lee wrote this song way back in the early 70's with "heads hand and feet",,,, Seen Albert a few t

[@Bcroft39]

I could just sit here and listen to them play the instruments for hours..

[@Tgr2k1]

Incredible. Top-level musicians all.

[@lewie7820]

Ricky is one of the best flat pickers. The fellas in his band are awesome too kentucky thunder is a fitting name.....

[@shakeypitt]

Ray Smith, Tony Colton and Albert Lee wrote Country Boy. They were from the Band Heads Hands and Feet. (Got this from Ray Smith's wife.)

[@guglacownt5946]

HAHAHA this is so fucking awesome. I normally don't like country music but this is like.. raw

[@jerreddenton4862]

Did he miss the slide up at 0:44? Not criticizing I’m just curious as a novice picker. Any experts can explain? So fast and accurate on that acoustic seems impossible. Love to listen to real talented musicians!

[@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!!

[@Mrdrfun]

Just seems like the funnest song to play.

[@JeremyBall76]

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.

[@jennysmith1652]

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

[@marksc1929]

...that's crazy insane talent ....

[@Conquistador2112]

I love Ricky Scaggs, he is amazing what a great guy and a great musician!!!

[@jeffg1524]

He was part of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, too. Another group of incredible musicians that included Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell, James Burton, etc at various times.

[@TheGmcFilms]

Massive talents on show here, a real feast for the eye's and ear's...G...

[@robotgoose225]

This could be my favourite thing ever. They're all just incredible.

[@jameskid81]

check out head hands aan feet version by Albert Lee who actually wrote it, look out for chas of chas and dave on bass guitar, and the drummer is hilarious, like neil from the young ones

[@robotgoose225]

@@jameskid81 haha yeah that's great, thanks. I must've known that Lee wrote this, i must've forgotten until you said. I guess over time I must've assumed that the 'American' country band wrote it...🤔 but 1972's (?) performance by Hands and Feet blows that out the window 😄 Fascinating that an American band covered an English artist's Country song, and it couldn't sound more suited!

[@henrysawyer3262]

absolutely brilliant

[@jaydurr8513]

Unreal talent

[@davidtaylor9972]

This was AWESOME!! Lots of talent there!

[@ΑπόστολοςΚελές]

wtf was that?????????? man thats ridicously awesome. I am shocked

[@jim_thom]

Hot Country

[@CaptainCaravelle]

Gosh dang these boys can play.

[@dhan1876]

Pure talent!