Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby to Reunite for New Album & Tour

Ricky Skaggs, one of Bluegrass and Country music's most recognized ambassadors and Bruce Hornsby one of Pop's most talented pianists and singer-songwriters are reuniting for the first time since originally collaborating six years ago. OnAugust 20, 2013 the two music legends will again come together, this time for a live album, titled 'Cluck O'Hen'.

Bluegrass treasures and lively expanded hits wait to be discovered on this fresh collection of songs from the masterful duo of Skaggs and Hornsby. These live songs were originally recorded when the two music icons hit the tour circuit in support of their first collaborative album, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby. Hornsby's spirited piano brings a new dimension to these songs, with electrifying solos and improvisation thrown in the mix of Skaggs, Hornsby and Skaggs' band, Kentucky Thunder.

"We recorded quite a few of the live performances from our tour and came up with a really great CD," says Skaggs. "It's a great merging of two different styles. Listening to this live CD just reminded me of how much fun we had touring together. Every show was a gift."

Hornsby notes, "I've been fortunate to be a part of scores of collaborations through the years. Along with my time with the Grateful Dead, and the various Spike Lee projects, I consider the long-time association with Ricky to be the deepest and most satisfying collaboration of them all. Hopefully this record captures the sound of a bunch of guys having a great time playing music together. That's what it sounds like to me."

Without any restrictions, the music is as fascinating and masterful as the two stars who create it. The pair blends songs drawn from deep roots in mountain music, adding piano and Hornsby's inimitable songwriting to Skaggs' instrumental core of mandolin, guitar, bass, fiddle and banjo into a musical feast. Of course, classic Bluegrass is fully represented with three Bill Monroe tunes, including the fast and furious "Bluegrass Breakdown." Punctuating this release is a vibrantly expansive version of Hornsby's early hit "The Way It Is" and a performance of "White Wheeled Limousine," and to sum up the free-spirited nature of their collaborations, Skaggs and Hornsby joyfully present the vintage fiddle tune "Cluck Ol' Hen." Skaggs and Hornsby kick up a storm with their mix of high-lonesome harmonies, full throttle Bluegrass pickin' and improvisational piano.

On collaborating with Hornsby, Skaggs notes, "Working with Bruce Hornsby is a show in itself. He's one of the best musicians I've ever played with. His talent level is very high and his take on Bluegrass music is very much like Jazz. It's all just free form and fun."

"I have great respect for the traditions that Ricky Skaggs represents and lives in his music and his life," says Hornsby of Skaggs. "When I come into his world, I feel it's my job to enhance that tradition, and maybe add some new colors to the palette to paint with. I also feel it's my job to make him (and his band) laugh a little."

Cluck Ol' Hen is currently available for pre-sale at skaggsfamilyrecords.com.

In addition to releasing the live album, Skaggs and Hornsby hit the road this fall, embarking on the Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder Tour. Thirteen dates are already on the books:

10/3 - Carmel, IN - The Palladium

10/4 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre

10/5 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

10/18 - Los Angeles, CA - Royce Hall - UCLA

10/19 - Scottsdale, AZ - Virginia G. Piper Theater

10/20 - Tucson, AZ - Fox Tucson Theatre

10/24 - Broken Arrow, OK - Broken Arrow Performing Center

10/25 - Overland, KS - Carlsen Center

10/26 - Salina, KS - Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts

11/1 - Milwaukee, WI - Potawatomi Bingo Casino

11/2 - Burnsville, MN - Burnsville PAC

11/20 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount

11/21 - Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center

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