National Award - Ricky Skaggs

Ricky Skaggs' contributions to bluegrass and country music make him a natural award-winner. Often identified as bluegrass music's official ambassador, Skaggs has been a leader in the revival of the genre's popularity.

Born in Cordell, a rural eastern Kentucky town, he received his first mandolin at the age of five. He never had any formal musical instruction, but by the time he was ten he had played his mandolin with bluegrass legends Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs. At 17, he and friend Keith Whitley were invited to join the band of bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley. By age 21, he was already recognized as a master of one of America's most demanding art forms

During the late seventies and eighties, Skaggs turned his attention to country music. He has collaborated with many renowned musicians, including Kentucky son J. D. Crowe and the New South and Emmylou Harris' Hot Band. Skaggs has received nine Grammy awards in addition to a number of Country Music Association awards including "Entertainer of the Year" in 1985. He and his current band, Kentucky Thunder have also won a number of awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, including the "Instrumental Group of the Year" honor six times.

Skaggs will be presented with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Eastern Kentucky University on May 8, 2005. He will receive his degree and address EKU's spring graduating classes of the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and Technology. "Your many friends at Eastern Kentucky University have followed your career with pride," stated EKU president Joanne K. Glasser.

Although fame and fortune have brought Ricky Skaggs to the fore in the country music arena, he is dedicated to promoting Kentucky bluegrass music around the world. Beyond his award winning recordings, Skaggs continues to lead the charge in bringing renewed vitality to country music's most down-to-earth form. From his string of high profile tour dates with the Dixie Chicks in 2000 to his position as host of the unprecedented All Star Bluegrass Celebration on PBS to his participation in last summer's wildly successful 41-city Down from the Mountain tour, Ricky Skaggs is one of bluegrass music's most talented and dynamic performers.

Previous recipients: George Wolfe, Marsha Norman, Marvin & Morgan Smith, Rosemary Clooney, Christine Johnson Smith, Joe Downing, Sam Gilliam, Barbara Kingsolver, John Henry, The Judd Family - Naomi, Wynonna & Ashley