Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at Sellersville Theatre (Sellersville, PA – Jan. 11, 2015)

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder put on a very energetic performance Sunday night at The Sellersville Theatre in Sellersville, PA. They were very energetic and playing alot of traditional bluegrass along with their original material. Guitarist Cody Kilby really was doing some great flatpicking, and fiddle player Andy Leftwich was incredible. Ricky sang lead to most of the songs plus playing mandolin. They did some Bill Monroe material, Osborne Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs during their 2 hour set. Ricky spent a good amount of time talking about the history of bluegrass music and how He got started in it at a very early age. They have a new banjo player who replaced Justin Moses, who decided it was time to move on in his career, Their new banjo player is Russ Carson, from the Mechanicsburg area of Pa. His banjo has a different tone to it ,sounding more on the treble tone than Justin, plus he has a different style than Justin did. They seem to like him though, and he seemed to be happy to be in the band. The Theatre was almost three quarters full, the last time I saw them there, they had the place sold out. The crowd was very enthusiastic, clapping a lot and really enjoying the presentation.

A three piece local band opened up for them, The crowd was patient with the first group who were ok, their name was  Coal County Express  ,but when Kentucky Thunder came out, the music lifted up quite a few levels, guitarist Paul Brewer looked like he was standing on one leg most of the night, but did a good job with his playing. Eddie Faris, who plays a couple of guitars and mandolin looked ill when the show started, He looked pale and like he was struggling, but the band as a whole just sounded great. Scott Mulvahill ,bass player, did a very interesting song, that He sang, it was a bit on the jazzy side at first and then the whole group came in making it sound more on the Bluegrass side.

Ricky was funny in talking to the crowd, He said at one point, We won’t be playing any Bro – Country tonight. He has a real sensitivity to the crowd.