Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, a bluegrass band based in the United States, was formed in 1997. Led by Ricky Skaggs on mandolin and vocals, their debut album Bluegrass Rules! (1997) won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 1998. The band released several notable albums including Ancient Tones (1999), Soldier of the Cross (1999), Brand New Strings (2004), and Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass (2007). They have won 9 Grammy Awards and multiple Instrumental Group of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. The band's lineup has included Russell Carson on banjo, Jake Workman on guitar, Dennis Parker on rhythm guitar and vocals, Mike Rogers on guitar and tenor vocals, Billy Contreras on fiddle, and Gavin Kelso on upright bass.
