Russ Carson to Ricky Skaggs

russ_truckRicky Skaggs has a new banjo player. Russ Carson, who had played with Audie Blaylock & Redline the past three years, is the newest member of Kentucky Thunder.

Russ was quick to mention that he is technically on a three month road test, but knowing this young man’s abilities with the five string, and his easy personality, there can be no doubt that he will be a permanent member.

When I chided him about the speeds at which Kentucky Thunder is wont to play, he chuckled and shared this vignette…

“I practiced with the band for the first time yesterday in the studio. I kicked off Little Maggie, and after we finished Ricky looked over at me and said, ‘For the sake of us old folks, let’s play that a little slower.’ “

It looks like he can cut the gig.

As I spoke with him a few moments ago, Russ was on the bus headed for a Skaggs show tonight at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, TN.

That makes the current band Ricky on mandolin and lead vocal, Cody Kilby on guitar, Paul Brewster on guitar and tenor vocals, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, Eddie Faris on guitar and baritone vocals, Scott Mulvahill on bass, and Carson on banjo.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.