Ricky Skaggs and his wife, Sharon White Skaggs, aren’t shy about expressing their joy in the holiday season. Although the much-lauded Ricky Skaggs keeps a full touring schedule, the holidays are the time that about nine members of the family jump on a tour bus and go on the annual “Skaggs Family Christmas” tour.
“This is just the best part of the year for me,” said Sharon Skaggs. “We have the whole family on one bus and Ricky’s band and crew on the other bus. It’s just like a big family reunion.”
| Onstage |
| A Skaggs Family Christmas |
| When: 8 p.m. Thursday |
| Where: Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda |
| Info: $28 to $68; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org |
Sharon Skaggs includes meeting the friends and family along the way in that family reunion analogy, too. Although the fun and joy of the holidays is a major part of their tour, Sharon Skaggs said it’s also a time to remember to honor Jesus Christ. Although the internationally renowned Skaggs made his mark with traditional country and bluegrass songs, he is also proud that he’s a Christian who expresses his faith through his music.
When he recently received the Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year at the 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Faith, Family & Country Awards, Skaggs talked about how his religion guides his entertainment philosophy.
“I always try to entertain folks with good clean fun and stories from my youth,” said Skaggs, whose career includes work with such musical icons as Ralph Stanley and Emmylou Harris. “I always try to bring the gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ to our shows as well. I think now more than ever, people all over the country need hope.”
As you might expect, the annual Skaggs Christmas concert has become a tradition for many families, which is what prompted the group to release “A Skaggs Family Christmas Volume Two,” which includes the album and a DVD of the group performing at Nashville’s famed Ryman Theatre.
For Sharon Skaggs, the chance to share music such as “Love Came Gently,” that was written by a dear friend, is one of the true joys of the holiday.
“I am very much a traditional bluegrass singer,” said Sharon Skaggs of recording the song, about how Christ changed the Earth by arriving as a humble and needy infant, with a 15-piece string section. “Many, many people could sing it better than I do … but before I sing the song [I tell the audience] that God doesn’t just feel love for us. God’s complete being is love, everything he does, everything he is, is love. I love the song and just love the moment we sing it.
“We don’t want to be preachy. We want part of [our show] to be about hope and fun and celebration, but we really are celebrating the savior of the world and we all want to remember that.”
