As a young boy, Ricky Skaggs had his first insights into the future that lay in store for him. He allowed me to play his instrument - a little boy with this huge mandolin around me. That was the first installment in my life from Bill Monroe. Doors continued to be opened as he grew in stature and in talent. The music of the 'British invasion' wasn't so different from American music, and all of that comes back to earlier artists like the Monroe Brothers and the Delmore Brothers.
All music is brothers and sisters, and aunts and uncles, and first cousins to each other.
It all depends how we sit down to the table to eat together. It is this mix of music that Skaggs has drawn upon to create his passionate and unique sound, and which gave him such a platform throughout the 1980's, when he earned a spot in Billboard's top 20 artists of the decade and top 100 of the past 50 years. That platform gave the talented performer over 20 singles in Billboard's top 20, and 12 number one songs to date. With the release of Soldier of the Cross, that platform once again allows Skaggs the opportunity to return to his roots, mixing the gospel of his childhood with the bluegrass of his home. Mr. Monroe was very adamant about making sure the gospel was sung.