vampinthemiddle - Posted - 06/30/2009:  11:50:22

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Alright, I know this one will come with mixed emotions but I am curious to hear of other pickers encounters with Ricky Skaggs. The reason I bring this up is that I had a very poor encounter with him back stage a few years ago while stationed at Fort Campbell. When discussing it with other pickers throughout the years those who have met him echo the same sentiment. I really don't want to have a poor opinion on him but am curious to hear what everyone has to say. I acknowledge that he has worked very hard to promote Bluegrass but I've struggled with his very poor attitude with me that day.

BanjoDiva - Posted - 06/30/2009:  12:30:24

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I met Ricky last year at IBMA. He was fine. Maybe not quite as warm and fuzzy as most of the banjo players I've met, but okay. One thing about Ricky is that as the years go by it becomes more and more obvious that he is emulating Bill Monroe. I think some of his perceived aloofness may be affected in an effort to further his Monroe persona.



Diva
_____________________________________________________

RK R-80 #67 "The Black Dahlia"

david in ky - Posted - 06/30/2009:  13:21:58

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I've met him but never really talked to him at any length so I'm a little reluctant to comment. All I can say is that at one of his shows, people were shouting out requests and he came down on one fellow really hard and then proceeded to tell the audience he was going to play what he wanted to play. It kind of put the audience to sleep the rest of the way. If it hadn't been for Jim Mills I probably would have left early.

10gauge - Posted - 06/30/2009:  13:53:18

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My favorite artist is Paul Simon and for a long time wanted to meed him and have a short coversation. This interest lead me to research a little about others experiences in meeting Mr. Simon. Of course the reactions were mixed, and I was a little disappointed to find out that it wouldn't necessarily be a magic moment. After some reflection I think that the kind of self-discipline that is required to reach that level of proficiency can often lead to cold or seemingly aloof behaviours. Of course there are plenty of celebrities that are the nicest people you'll meet, but then that same self-discipline could be used to create a nice person facade that is always presented to fans. Which is better, a little rude and nasty but real or always fake nice. I suppose it would be great if people were genuinely nice all of the time, but that just isn't reality. I bet that if you could hang out with Ricky Skaggs day to day you would get a real picture of who the man is and it would be hard predict who that would be.

Jonathan O''bug

10gauge - Posted - 06/30/2009:  13:54:58

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Hey Mr. Skaggs, if your reading this, maybe you want to weigh in on it.

Jonathan O''bug

pickNgrin - Posted - 06/30/2009:  14:09:10

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quote:

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Uhhh... Deever... I don't think this counts. What guy wouldn't be nice in this situation!

-matt

Banjoitus - Posted - 06/30/2009:  17:12:50

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I usually attend the big show on Sunday at Victorville Ca. This year I passed up the headliner because it war Mr. Skaggs. I had heard he's not very personable at his concerts and did not really want to put it to the test. I went on Friday instead, and of course that wasn't all that great either, a little too early, not much going on. Lots of bands, but mostly never heard ofs Maybe better to see a big name and just accept the fact you aren't going to be hob nobin' with him. There was one good band there on Friday, and they put on an extra show, but I think I'll either wait for Sunday next year, or just pass.

BanjoDiva - Posted - 06/30/2009:  17:15:48

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quote:

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Originally posted by pickNgrin

quote:

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Uhhh... Deever... I don't think this counts. What guy wouldn't be nice in this situation!

-matt

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Thanks Matt! ::blushing::

Studebaker Hawk - Posted - 06/30/2009:  17:30:17

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quote:

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Originally posted by 10gauge

My favorite artist is Paul Simon and for a long time wanted to meed him and have a short coversation. This interest lead me to research a little about others experiences in meeting Mr. Simon. Of course the reactions were mixed, and I was a little disappointed to find out that it wouldn't necessarily be a magic moment. After some reflection I think that the kind of self-discipline that is required to reach that level of proficiency can often lead to cold or seemingly aloof behaviours. Of course there are plenty of celebrities that are the nicest people you'll meet, but then that same self-discipline could be used to create a nice person facade that is always presented to fans. Which is better, a little rude and nasty but real or always fake nice. I suppose it would be great if people were genuinely nice all of the time, but that just isn't reality. I bet that if you could hang out with Ricky Skaggs day to day you would get a real picture of who the man is and it would be hard predict who that would be.

Jonathan O''bug

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You have to ask? Being fake and nice all the time wins out, hands down... it's called being CIVIL to strangers.

There are days when I absolutely do not want to talk to anybody, but I do it anyway and with a smile on my face. After a while the smile usually becomes real and it becomes easier to be nice. I have no respect for surly people, celebrities or otherwise, who distain interacting on a decent level with folks they encounter. If a celebrity can’t be nice to a fan -- to the kind of person who fattened up that celebrity’s bank account in the first place -- then I say to hell with that celebrity, and I'll encourage that fan to spend his/her hard-earned money elsewhere.

--Dean

mrbook - Posted - 06/30/2009:  18:00:24

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While in college I got on the committees that put on concerts, and got to hire a lot of my heroes and meet them. Some were great people, others weren't. In the years since I have met some other people I admire and found the same thingEven the ones I didn't get along with personally still make good music.

Bill

banjonz - Posted - 06/30/2009:  18:33:58

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I guess even our 'heroes' of the music world can get tired of the same old meeting with the fans. Most want photo opportunities with their heroes and probably the man is tired after a gig or touring. After all they are only human. It could be as you say Diva and would be sad to think that Ricky is going down that road. The temptation to take on whatever persona is strong after a lifetime of performing.
Perhaps he needs to be reminded of this??

Wayne
New Zealand


My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory''s not as sharp as it used to be.

BanjoDiva - Posted - 06/30/2009:  18:41:28

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quote:

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Originally posted by banjonz

I guess even our 'heroes' of the music world can get tired of the same old meeting with the fans. Most want photo opportunities with their heroes and probably the man is tired after a gig or touring. After all they are only human. It could be as you say Diva and would be sad to think that Ricky is going down that road. The temptation to take on whatever persona is strong after a lifetime of performing.
Perhaps he needs to be reminded of this??

Wayne
New Zealand


My short-term memory is not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my short-term memory''s not as sharp as it used to be.

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Wayne, when he performed at the IBMA awards show last year, the similarity between Ricky and Monroe was almost scary. Nobody does that by accident -- he's had to work on it. I'm with you; he's so talented in his own right, why try to become someone else?

Sheldon - Posted - 06/30/2009:  20:35:07

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It came with the mandolin . . . . .

Sheldon

pick1936 - Posted - 06/30/2009:  20:36:17

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I met Ricky, and Kieth Whitly both at Knob Noster Mo. In 1971, when They were Teen agers, They were with Ralph Stanly, In My opinion , I thought Kieth was the better singer at that time. I saw Him many times after that in Mo. last time was He was with Buck White's band,, Jack Hicks was married to Sharron, and pickin banjo for buck,, That didn't last long thou, Jerry Douglas was with Buck that year also I think it was 1976, The great Dobroist,, Farrell Stowe was Giving Jerry Douglas some lessons on dobro one night I recall,, Some great times back then, I think Ricky is alright,, He is a Fellow Christian..


Nechville. In Higginsville.
pick the banjer son.

Lee Kelso

brokenstrings - Posted - 06/30/2009:  21:06:49

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Wait a second, folks! A musician's (or actor's, or baseball player's) business is TO MAKE MUSIC (or &c). Not to be a nice guy. He/she doesn't owe you his/her life. If this person chooses to be gracious, that's nice, but it isn't required.

Jessy

Frailaway, ladies, frailaway!

Voyageur - Posted - 06/30/2009:  21:27:02

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And your doctor's business is to listen to your heart and take your blood pressure, and the mechanic's business is to fix your car, and the ice cream man's business is to sell you an ice cream cone. The overwhelming majority of such people who I have done business with do their work pleasantly, courteously, and graciously. The few who have been rude and act like the customer is wasting their valuable time don't get my repeat business. Why should an entertainer have the right to be rude and nasty? No, the entertainer doesn't owe each and every fan a personal interview, autographed baseball, or group hug. But he does owe them a civil demeanor.


"Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks."
- Fr. Solanus Casey

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Edited by - Voyageur on 06/30/2009 21:28:05

blarneypilgrim - Posted - 07/01/2009:  03:16:28

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Good Manners cost nothing.

Blarney Pilgrim
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men"

Studebaker Hawk - Posted - 07/01/2009:  04:37:22

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quote:

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Originally posted by brokenstrings

Wait a second, folks! A musician's (or actor's, or baseball player's) business is TO MAKE MUSIC (or &c). Not to be a nice guy. He/she doesn't owe you his/her life. If this person chooses to be gracious, that's nice, but it isn't required.

Jessy

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It's required if they expect to get MY money. I'll settle for nothing less. Life is too short to put up with bad manners.

--Dean

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Edited by - Studebaker Hawk on 07/01/2009 05:38:47

xplainer - Posted - 07/01/2009:  05:03:27

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Remember that he is just another person. Just like us.
We all have good days and bad days. If you need proof,
take a closer look at some of OUR post on this web site.

-Jimmy

AndyM - Posted - 07/01/2009:  05:34:47

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Several years ago my wife and I attended the IBMA-Nashville and since she is not into the music like me, she opted to sit out in the entry area and did some knitting while I cruised the vendors. Mr. Skaggs walked by and said to her to "keep up the good work", at least she thought it was him, and no one else bothered to say anything to her.

Ronnie - Posted - 07/01/2009:  07:38:49

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He delivered a eulogly at the memorial service for Carl Perkins at the chapel across the street from my home in Jackson, TN. He addressed the congreation with "I love Jackson Mississippi. I wish I could be here under more pleasant circumstances'.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

sjyokel - Posted - 07/01/2009:  07:54:02

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Nobody's required to be nice, and it doesn't take good manners to be a great musician, and sure, everybody has bad days. That's all reasonable. But my feeling is that every impression you make counts and reflects on your own values in life. If a celebrity is rude to their fans in person, it says to me that all they value is your money.

RB100 - Posted - 07/01/2009:  08:44:01

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quote:

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Originally posted by xplainer

Remember that he is just another person. Just like us.
We all have good days and bad days. If you need proof,
take a closer look at some of OUR post on this web site.

-Jimmy

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I like this...I have been critical of some of his comments in the past...in hindsight, I should have been more tolerant and less quick to judge...seems like I am just now reaching a stage in life where I can admit to this - but thankful that I can...

Bill

"I''ve been to Georgia on a fast train..." Shaver

North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles
http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/chronicles/

chrome - Posted - 07/01/2009:  09:12:20

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I've never met Ricky but I have met others and the one man that stands heads and shoulders over the rest is Doug Dillard, Who would hold and pet your puppy while he let you play his world famous banjo? Doug did.

Banjo MD - Posted - 07/01/2009:  09:57:18

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About 2 summers ago I took my daughter to see Ricky and KT play at the county fair. It was a hellaciously hot day! After the encore, the band retired to their cool trailers and we went to buy some discs. Jim Mills changed his sweat-drenched shirt and came out to speak to everyone who approached him. He was the only one who did so. No one had to; but he did.

William

pearcemusic - Posted - 07/01/2009:  10:08:22

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My sister-in-law managed an event that he played a couple of summers ago.

She had nothing but good things to say about him.

I just love his music ... if he doesn't want to talk to me, I'll deal with it.

The Pearce Family Bluegrass Band
www.pearcemusic.com

vampinthemiddle - Posted - 07/01/2009:  10:26:06

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All,
Thank you very much for the comments as I think everything that has been stated is very true. I think this discussion has motivated me to tell my story. I think it will hopefully put my topic discussion in to a different light. First off, I acknowledge that people are people despite fame. But I was a 1LT about two months or so from deploying to Kuwait for the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Ricky and the band played a concert on post that I was elated to attend considering that I had been working 15-19 hour days preparing for deployment. My Battalion commander had the opportunity earlier in the day to eat with the acts so I gave him my banjo for Mr. Skaggs to sign. He did so. I later met with my Battalion commander at the concert where he returned my banjo. By happenstance a random concert worker approached me and asked I would like to get back stage to meet an act of choice. The natural choice was Ricky Skaggs. So, I did. While waiting backstage, and when Ricky was putting on his nice guy act to the crowd with GEN Cody, Jim Mills came off stage. In keeping with everyones comments I approached him and he let me pick his prewar banjo and even complemented my average banjo picking. What a memory. Well, now comes the bad part. Ricky came off stage and began to sign autographs. I was the last in line with the intent of asking him to pick ONE song with me. There was only about 10 folks in line. My time approached and he took a picture with me. By that point is was just myself, Ricky, his mandolin, and I think his promoter. I asked if he would pick one song with me and he refused. I then offered him a ride in a AH-64D flight simulator and stated "your bribes won't work with me." Then he thanked me for my service. I responded with "whatever." Now, put this in perspective. Just a few short months later I was sitting in a God forsaken hell hole, being shot at daily, with no clue if or when I'll be able to play our beloved music again. I wonder if that has ever crossed his mind? I actually wrote his talent agent describing this story some years back only to recieve a very politicaly correct and borderline answer. Nonetheless, I glady accept my duties as an American Soldier. I also revel in the fact that lesser men, ie Ricky Skaggs, will NEVER understand what it takes to protect our way of life. If he did then maybe, just maybe he would have picked ONE song with a Soldier preparing to face death.

pickNgrin - Posted - 07/01/2009:  10:36:29

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You know, there is a "miniature" version of the bad attitude toward fans that I sometimes see at festivals and even here on the Hangout. I am not directing this any anybody in particular, but everyone should ask themselves: if somebody requests that you to play Rocky Top or "Deliverance", are you polite in your response or do you cop an attitude about it? Do you act like it is beneath you to play such a tune? Do you make the person who requested the tune feel like an outsider?

It is not just music superstars who don't treat their fans with respect. A lot of non-musicians look up to people who can play even if the playing is at an amateur level. While they may not be fans of yours per-se, they are fans of music and they probably wish that they could make music just like you. If somebody wants to hear you play, don't be the kind of person who alienates them. If you decide to decline their request, try to be gracious and respectful about it! That's a pretty tall order because you may have just blown a break or have already played Rocky Top 50 times that weekend, etc, etc. Pretend you are a top pro and try to always be as gracious with your "fans" as you think your music hero ought to be with you.

Just food for thought.

-matt

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Edited by - pickNgrin on 07/01/2009 11:15:16

vampinthemiddle - Posted - 07/01/2009:  10:39:04

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That is a great point. I guess I should have added that Ricky was very rude in his initial response. That was my biggest issue. Then when I tried to make light of it by offering him a ride in a multi-million dollar simulator, foolishly thinking he was Patriotic, he turned up the jerk factor a few notches. No worries. What goes around comes around in life.

10gauge - Posted - 07/01/2009:  10:54:16

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quote:

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Originally posted by Studebaker Hawk

quote:

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Originally posted by 10gauge

My favorite artist is Paul Simon and for a long time wanted to meed him and have a short coversation. This interest lead me to research a little about others experiences in meeting Mr. Simon. Of course the reactions were mixed, and I was a little disappointed to find out that it wouldn't necessarily be a magic moment. After some reflection I think that the kind of self-discipline that is required to reach that level of proficiency can often lead to cold or seemingly aloof behaviours. Of course there are plenty of celebrities that are the nicest people you'll meet, but then that same self-discipline could be used to create a nice person facade that is always presented to fans. Which is better, a little rude and nasty but real or always fake nice. I suppose it would be great if people were genuinely nice all of the time, but that just isn't reality. I bet that if you could hang out with Ricky Skaggs day to day you would get a real picture of who the man is and it would be hard predict who that would be.

Jonathan O''bug

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You have to ask? Being fake and nice all the time wins out, hands down... it's called being CIVIL to strangers.

There are days when I absolutely do not want to talk to anybody, but I do it anyway and with a smile on my face. After a while the smile usually becomes real and it becomes easier to be nice. I have no respect for surly people, celebrities or otherwise, who distain interacting on a decent level with folks they encounter. If a celebrity can’t be nice to a fan -- to the kind of person who fattened up that celebrity’s bank account in the first place -- then I say to hell with that celebrity, and I'll encourage that fan to spend his/her hard-earned money elsewhere.

--Dean

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I hear you Dean, but you can't trust a guy who's happy ALL the time.

Jonathan O''bug

John Allison - Posted - 07/01/2009:  11:00:24

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I have no experience with Ricky Skaggs and, as such, probably should not be writing this. However, I did make an observation, that may be pertinent to this discussion. Most performers that I have seen on the stage acknowledge the members of their band in a fairly big way such as Allison Kraus and Union Station, Del McCoury and his band, Jerry Douglas and his band, etc. etc.. Not once during the entire performance of Ricky's that I saw (I believe it was in Louisville, but not sure) did he mention any member of the band. Others noticed this office and immediately wrote him off as being quite egotistical.

Froggie
"Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.

BanjoDiva - Posted - 07/01/2009:  11:02:38

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I would like to clarify something. I didn't mean to imply that Ricky was rude to me in any way shape or form. In fact, he was kind enough to pose for the picture. What I meant about "warm and fuzzy" was that he didn't seem interested in having a conversation or sticking around to chat. That might not seem unusual, but most of the others I've met at IBMA are pretty amiable in that regard. Ricky was busy I'm sure and I appreciate the opportunity to meet him. He also signed my banjo head.

Diva
_____________________________________________________

RK R-80 #67 "The Black Dahlia"

david in ky - Posted - 07/01/2009:  11:07:56

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Hey Vamp, thats quite a revealing story. If he was ever capable of "faking" being nice, he should have done it for you guys. If no one's said it to you lately, Thank You for your service and for keeping the rest of us safe.

Studebaker Hawk - Posted - 07/01/2009:  11:40:01

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quote:

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Originally posted by david in ky

Hey Vamp, thats quite a revealing story. If he was ever capable of "faking" being nice, he should have done it for you guys. If no one's said it to you lately, Thank You for your service and for keeping the rest of us safe.

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Amen to that.

brokenstrings - Posted - 07/01/2009:  22:06:54

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I didn't say the artist shouldn't be civil. I said you (the public) doesn't own his or her life.

Jessy

Frailaway, ladies, frailaway!

stanger - Posted - 07/02/2009:  02:26:39

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Remember that Ricky Scaggs has been a professional musician his entire life. He has undergone a lifetime of meeting and greeting, and it's probably just gotten real old by now for him. The other thing to remember is Scaggs was once on the top of the charts as a pop country player, and is now playing to much smaller audiences now than back then.

Once a musician has had a #1 hit on the charts, it's very hard to step down several notches in attitude. Monroe had the same problem, and worse; bluegrass was once the real hot ticket for a few years, and was suddenly submerged by rock and roll in the wink of an eye. Monroe suffered the indignity of watching Elvis' version of Blue Moon of Kentucky, a sweet waltz of Monroe's composition, become a jump tune, and then become the version Monroe's fans expected him to play. He had a very hard time dealing with that. Scaggs' attitude is not a conscious attempt to be like Monroe- the two of them share similar career experiences.

The thing I've come to understand is that a lot of professional musicians are actually shy people. They are comfortable on stage, where there is a distance from them and the audience, but off stage, they may feel uncomfortable, especially in a press of fans.

It all simply is the differences we all have. Making music is these folk's job. It's a good job, but it's work more than fun a lot of times. While seeing a fave musician in concert may be a singular event for a fan, for the musician it's a nightly occurrence. The road is a grind for some of them, and a continual source of joy for others- they're all different, just as the rest of us are.
regards,
Stanger

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

vampinthemiddle - Posted - 07/02/2009:  03:49:07

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All,

I really want to thank each and every one of you for your insightful and rich comments. This forum has really validated the quality of the folks on the hangout-classy and down to earth. Then again, we are all banjo players so I guess I shouldn't have expected any less! Now, one last note on the Ricky issue.

I guess my emotional hang up with Ricky resides in the fact that I care deeply of treating Soldiers the right way. I've been in leadership postions my whole career and have always been very passionate when taking care of junior ranking and/or subordinate Soldiers. They are incredible human beings. When I ponder the fact that Ricky was that way to me, and will most likely be that way to a Soldier in the future, it really burns to the core of me. I've had the opportunity to see other major artist perform and interact with Soldiers in Iraq and Garrison. There is HUGE difference. Perhaps Ricky's fall as a country star has effected him profoundly. In my opinion, he should really embrace the good folks in Bluegrass and Old Time.

banjoken - Posted - 07/02/2009:  06:00:56

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quote:

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Originally posted by stanger

The other thing to remember is Scaggs was once on the top of the charts as a pop country player, and is now playing to much smaller audiences now than back then.

---

Ricky loves bluegrass. He always did. Was Ricky playing bluegrass when he was at the top of the charts? I honestly don't remember, I am wondering if he went back to his love once he made it big? I find it hard to believe that bluegrass would make the top of the country charts. I read somewhere that Vince Gill was asked why he went country rather than bluegrass and Vince stated that he wanted to buy a house. :c)

mrbook - Posted - 07/02/2009:  08:30:18

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My band used to play shows for a local country promotoer who was straight out of the 1950s (which was were I want to be). He used to say that we had to hang out with the audience and talk to them during the breaks because they wanted to get to know us. I did it the best I could, although it was completely out of my character and personality. The other guys wouldn't do it. I met some good people - and some jerks (it works both ways) - but once again I learned that the music business isn't just about playing on stage. We were and are at the bottom of the food chain, but it's the same at every level.

Bill

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Edited by - mrbook on 07/02/2009 08:31:45

BanjoDiva - Posted - 07/02/2009:  09:15:52

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quote:

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Originally posted by mrbook

My band used to play shows for a local country promotoer who was straight out of the 1950s (which was were I want to be). He used to say that we had to hang out with the audience and talk to them during the breaks because they wanted to get to know us. I did it the best I could, although it was completely out of my character and personality. The other guys wouldn't do it. I met some good people - and some jerks (it works both ways) - but once again I learned that the music business isn't just about playing on stage. We were and are at the bottom of the food chain, but it's the same at every level.

Bill

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On a much smaller scale, I have to deal with this in my students. They get frustrated when a professor doesn't want to spend all afternoon sitting with them and talking. Or they don't understand why we are hard nosed on deadlines, etc. The problem is that they don't realize that for every one email they have sent, or every extension they have requested, the professor has had at least 5 other students doing the same thing at any given time. In order to protect our time so that we can get the work done, we often have to come across as cool, aloof, or inflexible. We do our best not to appear that way, but it is inevitable at some point.

My point is that I'm guessing that any high profile musician is going to eventually have a moment where they have something else to deal with or something else on their mind and they will come across as less than friendly. They can try to be "on" all the time, but sooner or later they are going to show their human side and most likely a fan will be their to witness it.

Couchie - Posted - 07/03/2009:  09:37:24

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In my two encounters with Ricky Scaggs, I should say that he was just being "himself". He wasn't trying to be polite and looking back, he was really quite funny, if you didn't take him too seriously. Ricky is not the picture of a well mannered individual, but he is a hugely talented person. I gues we'll have to accept his flaws as well as his virtues.

Don.

O==''=(::}

http://www.doncouchie.com

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Edited by - Couchie on 07/03/2009 09:39:53

rtyrie - Posted - 07/03/2009:  12:28:13

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At the Palatka FL show last Feb, Ricky and the band performed. It was raining and the rest of the band made it to the CD table where I met and howdy'd with Jim Mills (a fine gentleman). I asked where Ricky was and they replied he was at the back door of the stage and we could get autographs and take photos there. I made my way there, observing him visit with various folks. I found him to be pleasant and spent a few minutes talking about his show and what I would really like to hear in the second set. We spoke of his familly and the Christmas show they put on. After photos and a handshake I left. I felt that he shared a bit of himself with us that day and to top it off, he played the song I requested. At the end of the show he was really tearing it up and did several more numbers that were shouted from the audience.
Maybe this is not the norm others have experienced but I came away with a positive impression.

Ron

GF-100-HF

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 07/03/2009:  13:18:09

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Being in public service and the public eye, probably averages 200 pictures or more per day... and the resulting nos.. of people, it does get tiring, and sometimes you want to just be quiet and get away! I really do enjoy talking to people, but when other things are pressing, you do tend to get abrupt after the 10 millionth same question, just like strings, or head tuning on the HO.. OF course some people are just that way naturally too..

KL

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Edited by - Kenneth Logsdon on 07/03/2009 18:51:20

Keith Madison - Posted - 07/03/2009:  15:01:09

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quote:

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Originally posted by brokenstrings

Wait a second, folks! A musician's (or actor's, or baseball player's) business is TO MAKE MUSIC (or &c). Not to be a nice guy. He/she doesn't owe you his/her life. If this person chooses to be gracious, that's nice, but it isn't required.

Jessy

Frailaway, ladies, frailaway!

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True - just be civil and not rude

Keithbanjer

Pluckin Mutha - Posted - 07/03/2009:  19:54:28

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quote:

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Originally posted by pick1936
[br[............] I think Ricky is alright,, He is a Fellow Christian..
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso

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???? Wha!!!!! ?

mrbook - Posted - 07/03/2009:  20:10:04

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I saw him with The New South, his country band, and Kentucky Thunder - all fine shows, and I've always been impressed with his musicianship. In recent years he keeps making comments (not about religion, which I don't mind) that put me off a bit, but I can't fault his playing. We have all said things or acted in waysthat were not as intended (at least I have).

Bill

Micki - Posted - 07/04/2009:  03:38:52

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I find entainers who changed with the times, are much better with their first endeavors. For instance I loved Skaggs in Bluegrass. for instance "Boone Creek", but Terry Baucome was my favorite. Scaggs kind of went to country which is good, I guess, but I like him better as he leaned more towards his original roots. As for rudeness, we all oweour thoughts and freedom to the brave men and women who have given so much to protect and defend us and our country. One doesn't get to the top without the help of those under them. Any talented person owes a great deal of kindness and compassion to their fans because they are the ones who have helped them to reach their heights.

GONE

wkb28791 - Posted - 07/04/2009:  05:31:20

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we went to see Kentucky Thunder a couple years ago and I met both Ricky and Jim. Jim was friendly and accommodating while Ricky seemed conceded and put out.
I came away with the feeling that Ricky got above his raisin. Bluegrass is a genre of music that appeals to a small, close-nit, and friendly group of people.A "shake and howdy" after a show is a common occurrence in bluegrass and it's one of the things that endears performers to their fan base. If I lay down my hard earned money for the luxury of attending a bluegrass show, I'd like to come away from it feeling good. My wife wanted to meet Ricky after the show because she was a fan. When he was rude to her and others, she lost some of her appreciation for Ricky.

I might add that if Earl can do it at the age 86, Ricky should be able to pull it off also.

Just because Ricky is a fellow christian doesn't excuse him for his rudeness. I'm almost sure that Jim Mills is also a fellow christian and he comes across as a very humble man.

Regards,
wkb28791

"We can''t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

"As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."

Albert Einstein

o2playlikeEarl - Posted - 07/04/2009:  08:37:56

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I think until we all have traveled in his shoes, it would be very difficult to say how you would be. Some people are just naturally personable, others are not. I would think being in the public eye (even though you choose that as your profession), would tend to pull at you and things you and I may never think would be a big thing may prompt something less than positive from someone who's getting pulled at alot. For me, when I come in contact with someone described, I generally just ask God to bless em and move on. Many of us dream of playing professionally but from those I've talked to who do, the prestiege fades and it's a job ..sometimes fun, sometimes not so fun.