Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Kick-Off Summer Season at The Spencer

Fourteen-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs' career is easily among the most significant in recent country music history. If Skaggs' burgeoning trophy case full of awards wasn't already enough evidence of that fact, consider that legendary guitarist Chet Atkins once credited Skaggs with "single-handedly saving country music." His life's path has taken him to various musical genres, from where it all began in bluegrass music, to striking out on new musical journeys, while still leaving his musical roots intact.

Skaggs and his award-winning band Kentucky Thunder will share the stage at the Spencer Theater on May 28 at 8 p.m. Concert seats are available for $79 & $76. The all-star lineup features Skaggs on mandolin, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, lead guitarist Cody Kilby, Mark Fain on bass, tenor vocalist and rhythm guitarist Paul Brewster, Eddie Faris with baritone vocals & his rhythm guitar and Justin Moses on banjo. Patrons are also invited to come out pre-performance at 6 p.m. for a fried chicken buffet in the Spencer lobby. (Buffet tickets are $20 per person). Excellent seats are available to each event. Call the Spencer Theater Box Office at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for tickets.

His May 28 concert is sponsored in-part by Bruce and Lynn Morgan.
Born July 18, 1954 in Cordell, Kentucky, Skaggs showed signs of future stardom at an early age, playing mandolin on stage with bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe at 5 and appearing on TV with Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs at 7. He emerged as a professional bluegrass musician in 1971, when he and his friend Keith Whitley were invited to join the legendary Ralph Stanley's band the Clinch Mountain Boys.

Skaggs then went on to record and perform with progressive bluegrass acts like the Country Gentlemen and J.D. Crowe & the New South, whose self-titled 1975 Rounder Records debut album was instantly recognized as a landmark bluegrass achievement. He then led Boone Creek, which also featured Dobro ace and fellow New South alumnus Jerry Douglas.

But Skaggs turned to the more mainstream country music genre in the late '70s when he joined Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, replacing Rodney Crowell. He became a recording artist in his own right in 1981 when his Epic label debut album Waitin' for the Sun to Shine topped the country charts and yielded a pair of #1 hits. Overall, his productive stay at Epic Records would result in a total of 12 #1 hits. Additionally, he garnered eight Country Music Association Awards--including the coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy in 1985.
Skaggs, of course, fit right in with young "new-traditionalist" '80s artists like Randy Travis, and helped rejuvenate the country music genre after the worn-out "Urban Cowboy" period. But, Skaggs put his own stamp on the country format by infusing his bluegrass and traditional country music roots into the contemporary Nashville sound.
Skaggs' 1997 album Bluegrass Rules!, released on his newly-formed Skaggs Family Records label, marked a triumphant return to bluegrass-which he's solidified ever since with a series of GRAMMY® Award winning albums, recorded with his amazing bluegrass band, Kentucky Thunder (8-time winners of the IBMA 'Instrumental Group of the Year'). Skaggs' label has also served as a home for similar bluegrass and roots music-oriented artists including Cherryholmes and The Whites.
The year 2011 marks the 52nd year since Ricky struck his first chords on a mandolin, and he continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. Clearly his passion for it puts him in the position to bring his lively, distinctively American form of music out of isolation and into the ears and hearts of audiences across the country and around the world. Ricky Skaggs is always forging ahead with cross-cultural, genre-bending musical ideas and inspirations.
Experience Skaggs' brilliance in the intimate setting of the Spencer Theater! Fewer than 200-seats are left, so call the box office today at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for tickets.

Next up in Summer Season 2011 at the Spencer:

• "Don Quixote" Sataturday, June 4 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. ($28), starring the Ruidoso Dance Ensemble. Outstanding young talents, stunning sets and gorgeous costumes lift this dance company into the realm of impossible dreams.

• "The Complete History of America (Abridged), a Wayland University Theatre production Friday June 10 at 8 p.m. ($25). This 90-minute comedy has taken patrons around the world on a 90-minute roller coaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American history. Critics have hailed the historical hilarity to "'The Daily Show'... if it were hosted by the Marx Brothers."

• Taste of the Spencer Fund Raiser, 6 p.m. Saturday ($50) Fine wine, food, art; silent & live auction. Always elegant - definitely intimate & fast paced -- this night promises to be fun, fun, fun!

• The Miss New Mexico Pageant, June 22-25 (times vary, tickets are $29-$50). Over 20 of the most beautiful women in New Mexico compete for the crown in this talent and beauty competition. Four nights of performance events; finals at the theater are Saturday June 25 at 7 p.m.

• An Evening with Pat Boone, Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m., ($79 & $76). Pre-performance Pork Roast lobby buffet at 6 p.m. ($20). Singer, actor with boyish charm, this 1950's & 60s chart topper will sing his classics as well as share behind-the-scenes tales about his stage and screen performance career. Sponsored in-part by Four Seasons Real Estate.

• The Jan & Dean Show featuring Dean Torrence & the Surf City All Stars, Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m. ($69 & $66). Pre-performance Tilapia Beach Buffet at 6 p.m. ($20). Together with their pals The Beach Boys, the world famous Surf Music of the doo-wop duo Jan & Dean (an upbeat, closely harmonic and rocking sound) dominated the airwaves from the 50s through the 60s - and still fills concert arenas today. Dean Torrence celebrates their legendary sound with gusto.

• "Pinocchio" Missoula Children's Theatre, Friday, July 15 at 7 p.m. (Adults $15, kids $7). Free acting workshop for youth culminating in fun-filled musical show. The Monday, July 11 auditions start promptly at 9 a.m. Don't be late! Auditions are open to all youth ages 6 to 17. This event is sponsored in part by Ruidoso Ford Lincoln Mercury.

• "Shine On!" A fund raising musical show benefiting Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Lincoln County - Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. ($38) & 8 p.m. ($45). This "musical with a mission" features pop, country, jazz, R&B and rock tunes performed by outstanding local singers & dancers. For audition information, call Steve Duffy at 575.258.4185.

• Chamber Music Festival, Saturday, July 30. Pianist Di Wu at 2 p.m. ($49 & $15 for students).and Linden String Quartet at 8 p.m. ($49 & $15 for students). Critics gush with accolades for Wu, a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Finalist, noting her "her glissandos are unbelievable." The Linden Quartet is considered one of the premiere young string quartets in America today. New at the festival this year is a live auction of 12 painted violins, created by Lincoln County artists, which immediately follows the fundraising party, the Fabulous Festival Fling.

• Ronnie Milsap at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 6 ($79 & $76); pre-performance Barbeque Brisket Buffet in lobby at 6 p.m. ($20). Milsap is one of the best-loved and most enduring
artists in country music history, a "country soul" singer with over 40 number one hits and 7 Grammys: Pure Love, Smoky Mountain Rain, She Keeps the Home Fires Burning, Where Do the Nights Go, A Woman in Love. Milsap is presented in concert by The Walton Stations of New Mexico.

• Delbert McClinton at 8 p.m. Saturday, August 13 ($69 & $66). Pre-performance Fried Catfist buffet at 6 p.m. ($20). A Lubbock-born blues and country star, McClinton is a Grammy-winning country and blues star with broad riffs that include roots rock and Americana. The concert is presented by Laureen & Richard Zelt.

• Andy Lo Russo The Singing Chef stars in an onstage Cabaret Dinner Show, Saturday, August 20 at 6 p.m. ($85). This gastronomically entertaining event with the hit TV chef and recording artist Andy Lo Russo promises to be scrumptious and funny. All patrons will dine on stage with Lo Russo while he prepares the four-course Italianate gourmet meal and sings Broadway standards and operatic classics.

• "A Ride With Bob" starring Asleep At The Wheel, Thursday-Saturday, August 25-27 at 8 p.m. & Saturday, August 27 at 2 p.m. ($59 & $56). Faded Love, Roly Poly, San Antonio Rose. Rollicking tribute-tale with Ray Benson's band of 25 celebrating the late, great Bob Wills, the King of Western Swing. Sponsored by the Hubbard Foundation & Cheveron.

• Bernie Jessome as Roy Orbison, Saturday, September 3 at 8 p.m. ($69 & $66). Pre-performance Enchilada Buffet in lobby at 6 p.m. ($20). This blazing baritone, rockabilly-pop tribute show features the best Roy Orbison impersonator on the continent!

WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY Summer Season 2011 Tickets

GO TO THE BOX OFFICE: at the theater at108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For tickets or information call (575) 336-4800 or toll free at 888.818.7872.

ON THE WEB: www.spencertheater.com. The site offers secure ticket ordering.

BY FAX: series and single tickets can be ordered by fax at (575) 336-0055.

BY E-MAIL: single tickets may be ordered at boxoffice@spencertheater.com.

BY MAIL: Donna Clarke, Box Office Manager, Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, Alto, NM 88312

WAYS TO ORDER/ BUY Winter Season 2009-10 Tickets (public series & public single ticket sales)

GO TO THE BOX OFFICE: at the theater at108 Spencer Road, Airport Highway 220, Alto, NM. Business hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No phone orders are accepted for series sales. For tickets or information call (575) 336-4800 or toll free at 888.818.7872.

ON THE WEB: www.spencertheater.com. The site offers secure ticket ordering.

BY FAX: series and single tickets can be ordered by fax at (575) 336-0055.

BY E-MAIL: single tickets may be ordered at boxoffice@spencertheater.com.

BY MAIL: Donna Clarke, Box Office Manager, Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, Alto, NM 88312

Summer Season 2011 is sponsored in part by The Hugh Bancroft Jr. Foundation, The Lodge at Sierra Blanca, the Inn of the Mountain Gods, Sierra Blanca Motors, Ruidoso Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, Ventanas, The Enjoyment of Fine Southwestern Living, Rainmakers, New Mexico Magazine, Ruidoso.net, MTD Media radio stations KRUI-1490 AM, KIDX 101.5 FM, KNMB-96.7 FM, KTUM 107.1 FM, KWES 93.5 FM, KBUY 1360 AM and KWES 1450 AM Fox Sports; KEDU 102.3 FM, KOBR Channel 8, Burt Broadcasting in Alamogordo KZZX 105.3 FM, and the publicity support of Ruidoso News, Ruidoso Free Press, Ruidoso.net and Ruidosoattractions.com.

Spencer Theater is a world-class performance hall located in the Sacramento Mountain settlement of Alto, about 12 miles north of downtown Ruidoso. Unique architecture, outstanding acoustics, intimate seating, and excellent artistry are the Spencer's celebrated features. The elegant, award-winning hall, which first raised its curtains in 1997, seats 514, with no seats farther than 67 feet from the 4,770 square-foot stage. The Spencer also has a 964 square-foot outdoor stage that can seat 1,500. From its Spanish mica-flecked limestone face to the crystal lobby, the building itself is a work of art. Free public tours are offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year.

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