And how lucky we are to have the opportunity to see both Earl and Ricky play for free in Golden Gate Park a mere 46 years after this recording! I ran from one stage to the other to be sure I didn't miss a note of either performance at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass last month.
I just saw Ricky Skaggs TODAY (Sept. 4, 2011) at a concert in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Still goin' strong, and sounded GREAT! He mentioned in his show that he performed on stage with Flatt & Skruggs at age 7.
On Christmas Eve, I interviewed that little kid who's now the great Ricky Skaggs. He's hands down the nicest guy you'll ever talk to. It was a nice present for me and great material for my Sunday country show.
This is precious, priceless footage .. dated January 1962. A Once-In-A Generation Moment here, re young man Ricky in action with the GREAT F & S & The Fabulous Foggy Mtn Boys. Fans can get hold of this clip for themselves in perpetuity .. it's on Episode 2 of 2 in Volume 3 of Shenachie's fabulous 10-Volume DVD Collection of the best of the Flatt & Scruggs Marta White TV Shows, taken variously from the 1950s & 60s.
Wow... I am in awe! Just getting to know his music now as I am learning to play the banjo... and I am amazed... no wonder. Isn't he something! Very cool!!!
Lester Flatt supposedly found this kid, and I remember seeing Ricky in color I think on Grand Ole Opry at age 8 or 9 standing on his tip toes trying to reach the mic. He and Flatt were very close, but Lester died in 1977 if I am not mistaken. Ricky still puts out some great music, but everyone is a lot older now, and alas some have gone away, but its a treat to still hear them play. Thanks to whomever found this and posted it.
Amazing that he already had so many of the attributes that make up a "star" a 7 years old! Good voice control, stage presence and a loose right hand! He could certainly "pick!"
WOW What a talent, truely a GOD given talent. I have ALWAYS loved Ricky Skaggs. He came to my hometown once, but I was too shy to speak to him. But, not now!! ha-ha! Thanks for this video.
I knew my great uncle was good but dang didnt know he could play that good at 7 years old. I think it is great uncle. My mother's mother's sister's kid lol
The late Bill Monroe is the Father of Bluegrass, but Ricky Skaggs is its ambassador today. I am reading your book right now Ricky, titled "Kentucky Traveler" and love the story you tell about also playing with Bill Monroe. The audience called for you "to play one", you were just seven years of age, in a high auditorium concert back in the early sixties.
You can actually purchase a 6 volume DVD set of this historic long-lost footage of the Flatt & Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show - sponsored by MARTHA WHITE of course - from Shenachie Records. GO FOR IT ! Worth every cent !!
WOW!!...just... WOW!! I am impressed and what a lucky little boy he was!! Scruggs and Flatt !! How many artists can say they played with these guys as a little kid??!
+deaconblue9038 Not only did he play with Flatt and Scruggs at 7yrs but when he was 6yrs old he played with Mr Bill Monroe. And to top it off he played one with Ralph and Carter Stanley before he turned 10!! As he says in interviews and his autobiography, he was blessed as a child. To play with the 3 most influential bands in the early history of the genre is amazing.
Ricky played the original across the road from my Uncle Chuck Gartin's (RIP) and he is my father's (RIP) Brother In Law Glare Mullins (Aunt Stella (RIP) nephew. I was born in Louisa KY ans damned proud of it. Like everyone else went to Ohio or some of us to Memphis. enjoyed the Video Ricky. Your Cousin Johnny is here with me. We are officially home sick after hearing this. Maybe we will all get together (hopefully in Louisa soon. Thinking of you .. Susan Gartin (Howard's Daughter)
Wow! What talent !! My son Anthony is 7 years old and if he can go to the bathroom without fracturing a rib.....well, that's a good day for him (lol) Thanks for posting!
@ottawarattlers : this clip is contained in Episode 2 of 2, Volume 3 of 10, in Shenachie's fabulous 10-Volume DVD set of the best of the Flatt & Scruggs Martha White TV Shows from the 1950s & 60s. Just visit the Shenachie website ... these DVDs are worth every penny ...
Here's a good example of why it's good for people to start young on music! Now where are all the people who post disparaging comments on every unknown kid playing well on an instrument on TH-cam? Aren't you all going to complain about how little Ricky's parents must have forced him to practice and how he couldn't have had a normal childhood? Come on, let's hear from you! ;)
Another clue that Bill Monroe wasn't there was the presence of the dobro (played by "Uncle Josh" Graves.) Monroe was very vocal about how the dobro had no place in bluegrass music (which was pretty selective since the mandolin had only come into popularity shortly before Monroe was born.) Skaggs did play on stage with Monroe when he was six using Monroe's Gibson F-5 mandolin but that was at a Bill Monroe concert so you were partially right.
I'm aware that's Ricky Skaggs. Further, I can assure you that Bill Monroe wasn't around. This is a clip from the Martha White Show that featured Flatt & Scruggs. Lester Flatt had already had his major falling out with Monroe by this time. Also, that is NOT Monroe's mandolin. Monroe was famous for playing a Gibson F-5 (Lloyd Loar era) mandolin. Skaggs is playing at A model which I have never seen nor heard of Monroe ever playing on stage.
I could be wrong, but Flatt and Scruggs didn't usually have a mandolin player. It's assumed they left it out intentionally to differentiate their sound from Bill Monroes.
no that is ricky skaggs, They performed in the little town, out somewhere, and ricky and his parents went to the school where they were playing and bill monroe pulled him up on stage and began pickin with earl scruggs and lester flatt, the reason that bill monroe isnt around is becaus he gave his mandolin to ricky, and he walked out of the screen since he didnt play nothin durin that song
And to think now fifty years later we have not one very talented kid playing bluegrass, we have three. I think most people on here know who I'm talking about.
Hot smokin' fartblossom, didya notice how his fingers never leave his hands? I tell ya fer sure, if I'da been a kid back then, I'd be a man right now, and that ain't no lie. There's been over a billion and one songs written and this is surely one of 'em. I reckon that Ricky's ma and pa musta tied him to a block of ice and made him play all day long to keep from freezin' to death.
Ricky Skaggs, a true master on the mandolin, back then and now. Amazing.
It's a miracle anything from these early tv shows was saved.. They used to tape over everything pre-1970.
And how lucky we are to have the opportunity to see both Earl and Ricky play for free in Golden Gate Park a mere 46 years after this recording! I ran from one stage to the other to be sure I didn't miss a note of either performance at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass last month.
I just saw Ricky Skaggs TODAY (Sept. 4, 2011) at a concert in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Still goin' strong, and sounded GREAT! He mentioned in his show that he performed on stage with Flatt & Skruggs at age 7.
On Christmas Eve, I interviewed that little kid who's now the great Ricky Skaggs. He's hands down the nicest guy you'll ever talk to. It was a nice present for me and great material for my Sunday country show.
Excellent video of Ricky Skaggs as a child on the Flatt and Scruggs Show
Lester Flatt was a class act. Letting the young lad play his heart out and Lester just took the back seat. There ought to be more men like Lester.
Gotta love Ricky Skaggs, that is pure God given talent. Thanks for shareing this video.
This is precious, priceless footage .. dated January 1962. A Once-In-A Generation Moment here, re young man Ricky in action with the GREAT F & S & The Fabulous Foggy Mtn Boys. Fans can get hold of this clip for themselves in perpetuity .. it's on Episode 2 of 2 in Volume 3 of Shenachie's fabulous 10-Volume DVD Collection of the best of the Flatt & Scruggs Marta White TV Shows, taken variously from the 1950s & 60s.
It's videos like this one that make TH-cam worthwhile. How else could one get the opportunity to see this?
Wow... I am in awe! Just getting to know his music now as I am learning to play the banjo... and I am amazed... no wonder. Isn't he something! Very cool!!!
Wow Ricky Skaggs said this was here at his concert last night in Calgary, Alberta ---- Awesome !!! So glad he told us about it :)
Lester Flatt supposedly found this kid, and I remember seeing Ricky in color I think on Grand Ole Opry at age 8 or 9 standing on his tip toes trying to reach the mic. He and Flatt were very close, but Lester died in 1977 if I am not mistaken. Ricky still puts out some great music, but everyone is a lot older now, and alas some have gone away, but its a treat to still hear them play. Thanks to whomever found this and posted it.
Now this is what you call a gem!!
this is television history. WOW!!!
Insanely perfect that this was captured on video for all to see. Crazy cool.
It's hard to believe how good he could play already at only 7 yrs. old! So talented.
A true god given talent that he has used very well.
Good song, awesome music. Thanks for posting.
A country gentleman then at such a young age and always will be . Love his music .
Wow.... what a talent! Didn't know he started so young... he's one of my favorites
Amazing that he already had so many of the attributes that make up a "star" a 7 years old! Good voice control, stage presence and a loose right hand! He could certainly "pick!"
man could he pick even then! awesome!
Great Video. Thanks for sharing that. I really enjoy Lestr and Earl.... Seeing Ricky is a bonus.
That's awesome. If Ricky Scaggs was that good at 7, it's no wonder he's so fabulous a picker now.
Wow! thanx for the upload. I never knew that Ricky could play back then.
Pretty damn cool 7-years old and being backed by one of the greatest blugrass groups ever. Awesome!
I saw Ricky Skaggs last summer at the Old Opry building. Everything comes full circle.
WOW What a talent, truely a GOD given talent. I have ALWAYS loved Ricky Skaggs. He came to my hometown once, but I was too shy to speak to him. But, not now!! ha-ha!
Thanks for this video.
A legend in his own time. Amazing
I knew my great uncle was good but dang didnt know he could play that good at 7 years old. I think it is great uncle. My mother's mother's sister's kid lol
Wow! Mad skills at 7! I knew Ricky was good early on, but didn't realize he was that good that early!
Great,googly,moogly.
The late Bill Monroe is the Father of Bluegrass, but Ricky Skaggs is its ambassador today. I am reading your book right now Ricky, titled "Kentucky Traveler" and love the story you tell about also playing with Bill Monroe. The audience called for you "to play one", you were just seven years of age, in a high auditorium concert back in the early sixties.
Talk about a start! Ricky wound up with the right type of guys!
You can actually purchase a 6 volume DVD set of this historic long-lost footage of the Flatt & Scruggs Grand Ole Opry Show - sponsored by MARTHA WHITE of course - from Shenachie Records. GO FOR IT ! Worth every cent !!
WOW!!...just... WOW!! I am impressed and what a lucky little boy he was!! Scruggs and Flatt !! How many artists can say they played with these guys as a little kid??!
+deaconblue9038 well Marty Stuart comes close
+deaconblue9038 Not only did he play with Flatt and Scruggs at 7yrs but when he was 6yrs old he played with Mr Bill Monroe. And to top it off he played one with Ralph and Carter Stanley before he turned 10!! As he says in interviews and his autobiography, he was blessed as a child. To play with the 3 most influential bands in the early history of the genre is amazing.
Ricky played the original across the road from my Uncle Chuck Gartin's (RIP) and he is my father's (RIP) Brother In Law Glare Mullins (Aunt Stella (RIP) nephew. I was born in Louisa KY ans damned proud of it. Like everyone else went to Ohio or some of us to Memphis. enjoyed the Video Ricky. Your Cousin Johnny is here with me. We are officially home sick after hearing this. Maybe we will all get together (hopefully in Louisa soon.
Thinking of you ..
Susan Gartin (Howard's Daughter)
This only PROVES there are some talents you are BORN with!
Wow! What talent !!
My son Anthony is 7 years old and if he can go to the bathroom without fracturing a rib.....well, that's a good day for him (lol)
Thanks for posting!
yes,that is ricky scaggs..he did this on the martha white flour show...and played uncle pen with bill monroe on the opry at age 7
GREAT!
And wonderful document!!!
I love Ricky Scaggs
how amazing is ricky skaggs omg
Pick a little. Picka while. This Kid has Style.
@ottawarattlers : this clip is contained in Episode 2 of 2, Volume 3 of 10, in Shenachie's fabulous 10-Volume DVD set of the best of the Flatt & Scruggs Martha White TV Shows from the 1950s & 60s. Just visit the Shenachie website ... these DVDs are worth every penny ...
Totally AMAZING!!!!
Nowadays not a lot of people play such cool instruments like mandolin and banjo its such a shame !
That is quite a story, 100% fiction, but still quite a story. The Flatt & Scruggs Show was on television for many years.
Wow. Great big thanks for these!
Here's a good example of why it's good for people to start young on music! Now where are all the people who post disparaging comments on every unknown kid playing well on an instrument on TH-cam? Aren't you all going to complain about how little Ricky's parents must have forced him to practice and how he couldn't have had a normal childhood? Come on, let's hear from you! ;)
thanks for letting me know about Ricky Scaggs. Excellent
"cat"
4 finger chords at that tender age. I'm tossing my mandolin out.
Man, that's amazing! And he's not even a mongoloid!
that was fantastic!!
hes the best 7 yr. old ive seen
That's a freakin' riot... thanks for the laugh!
Thanx so much - great video!
so talented so cute
Dang! Somebody give that kid a raise!
Another clue that Bill Monroe wasn't there was the presence of the dobro (played by "Uncle Josh" Graves.) Monroe was very vocal about how the dobro had no place in bluegrass music (which was pretty selective since the mandolin had only come into popularity shortly before Monroe was born.) Skaggs did play on stage with Monroe when he was six using Monroe's Gibson F-5 mandolin but that was at a Bill Monroe concert so you were partially right.
At 7-year old playing with Flatt and Scruggs - Damn...... !
29 people, as of October 27, 2015 don't appreciate good music
+Brian Evans yus its still 29!
Gotta love how ole' Lester says "Special"
too cute!!!
Ricky you little freak goddamn I wish I could have played like you at 7 years of age!
cool thanks for posting it!
I wish all the kids wasting their time trying to be proficient on Guitar Hero would see this. It'd be an inspiration to learn the real deal.
I'm aware that's Ricky Skaggs. Further, I can assure you that Bill Monroe wasn't around. This is a clip from the Martha White Show that featured Flatt & Scruggs. Lester Flatt had already had his major falling out with Monroe by this time. Also, that is NOT Monroe's mandolin. Monroe was famous for playing a Gibson F-5 (Lloyd Loar era) mandolin. Skaggs is playing at A model which I have never seen nor heard of Monroe ever playing on stage.
hope i can do that when i grow up
Yessir, it surely is
I could be wrong, but Flatt and Scruggs didn't usually have a mandolin player. It's assumed they left it out intentionally to differentiate their sound from Bill Monroes.
un grand gamin promèteur
Confident young man and he can pick probably a virtuoso I’d say
WoW!
Cool video!
wow very impressive!
no that is ricky skaggs, They performed in the little town, out somewhere, and ricky and his parents went to the school where they were playing and bill monroe pulled him up on stage and began pickin with earl scruggs and lester flatt, the reason that bill monroe isnt around is becaus he gave his mandolin to ricky, and he walked out of the screen since he didnt play nothin durin that song
Awesome! ...Y'all need to watch "Jake and Josh. Have a Feast Here Tonight" on TH-cam. It is a hot one, with funny lyrics and great singing.
Would you happen to have Cash doing Folsom Prison Blues on the Martha White show, 1968?
GO RICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
very cool! he looks much the same, LOL! this reminds me of a video of a 14 year old jimmy page in b&w - legends in the making.
thanks
aaah heeee heee heeeee... thatsaaa good one
@Mr8704 ...I think it was January 1962.
Awesome. makes ya proud to be American
He was dead serious about it too! He meant business even back then. 5*****
I was eating paste at that age. He's good. But that paste... yum yum! lol
good job
Amen Ricky!!! Play it ol' son! lol
all i gotta say is.......WOW
Is there a musical term for the quick strum technique at 0:53?
Holy CRAP!?!?!?!?!
@aaronecolyer It's a mandolin.
hmm...sleepy man banjo boys....what a talented group
That's about how old I was when I started... but I wasn't half that good then!
And to think now fifty years later we have not one very talented kid playing bluegrass, we have three. I think most people on here know who I'm talking about.
2:05 - 2:10
good jam
what year was this?
What year is this recording?
Hot smokin' fartblossom, didya notice how his fingers never leave his hands? I tell ya fer sure, if I'da been a kid back then, I'd be a man right now, and that ain't no lie. There's been over a billion and one songs written and this is surely one of 'em. I reckon that Ricky's ma and pa musta tied him to a block of ice and made him play all day long to keep from freezin' to death.