Country music legend Ricky Skaggs is about to embark on a whirlwind tour of the United States, but he will be doing so minus a longtime band member.
Skaggs made the announcement on social media, much to fans’ dismay.
“Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will be hitting the road next week in the Northeast, with stops in Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey! You will be able to see new band members in Kentucky Thunder’s configuration, including Justus Ross as the lead guitarist and our newest member, Troy Engle, who is now playing in beloved former band member Dennis Parker’s place. Dennis is moving on to other opportunities where he feels led, and although he is missed, we wish him all the best!” wrote Skaggs on Instagram.
“SO sorry to see Dennis go! 😢,” writes one fan.
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Parker has been a member of the Kentucky Thunder band since 1997. He plays rhythm guitar, mandolin and fiddle and also provides baritone vocals. In a 2019 interview, he said that Skaggs, who turned 71 in July, just keeps getting better and better.
“He only gets better. Since the time I have been with him, he’s grown … Ricky is one of those guys who is multifaceted. He’s not only a great instrumentalist, he’s also an unbelievable arranger and he’s a great band leader. … He’s got a cool presence about him because he knows what he wants and he knows what he likes. He listens for everything and he expects it to be there, but he’s not in any way not nice to you. He’s the total package and there ain’t many of them around like that,” said Parker.
Parker will be replaced in the band by Troy Engle, who Skaggs said is ready to fill the big shoes he has to fill.
“Troy will be playing many different instruments, including mandolin, guitar, and pedal steel, along with harmony vocals. Ricky Skaggs’ country hits will shine brightly on these upcoming shows!” wrote Skaggs on Instagram.
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Skaggs’ upcoming stops through the end of the year are as follows:
Aug 16: Rose Music Center, Huber Heights, OH
Aug 20: Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN
Aug 27: Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME
Aug 28: Center for the Arts of Homer, Homer, NY
Aug 29: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
Aug 30: Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, Woodstown, NJ
Sep 4: Unbroken Circle Music Festival, Madison, IN
Sep 5: Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, Shipshewana, IN
Sep 6: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Mt. Vernon, KY
Sep 13: Pope County AR Fair Grounds, Russellville, AR
SEp 16: Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN
Sep 20: The Princess Theatre, Decatur, AL
Sep 21: Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Bristol, TN
Sep 27: Comal County Fair Association, New Braunfels, TX
Sep 28: Dosey Doe Big Barn, The Woodlands, TX
Oct 10: Jefferson Center, Roanoke, VA
Oct 11: Liberty Showcase Theater, Liberty, NC
Oct 12: Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC
Oct 16: Anderson Music Hall, Hiawaassee, GA
Oct 17: Weldon Mills Theatre, Roanoke Rapids, NC
Oct 18: Bluegrass Island Festival, Manteo, NC
Nov 7: Heindl Center for Performing Arts, Senatobia, MS
Dec 4: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas, Philadelphia, MS
Dec 5: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas, Owensboro, KY
Dec 6: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas, Steelville, MO
Dec 7: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas, Nashville, TN
Dec 11: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas, Nashville, TN
Fans can purchase tickets here.
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