Kentucky Thunder, or Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, is the band that plays with American country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs. Many members of the band have won numerous awards. Bandleader Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and is the lead vocalist. The group has won the Instrumental Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association multiple times, as well as seven Grammy Awards. Line-up The current line-up is; Mike Rogers - Guitar and Tenor Vocals Russell Carson - Banjo Jake Workman - Lead Guitar Dennis Parker - Rhythm Guitar, Baritone Vocals, Mandolin, Fiddle Billy Contreras - Fiddle Kevin Gift, Jr. - Upright Bass, Vocals Discography Guest artists on The Chieftains' Down the Old Plank Road: The Nashville Sessions (2002) Awards Grammy awards Source: 1998 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Bluegrass Rules! 1999 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Ancient Tones 2000 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Soldier Of The Cross 2003 Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for A Simple Life 2004 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Brand New Strings 2006 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Instrumentals 2008 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 & 1947 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards 1998 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 1998 Album Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder for Bluegrass Rules! 1999 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 2000 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 2002 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 2003 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 2004 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 2005 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 2006 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder References External Links Andy Leftwich Interview Namm Oral History Library (2020) Musical groups established in 1997 American bluegrass music groups Grammy Award winners Musical groups from Kentucky