Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Ricky Scaggs & Kentucky Thunder

#1

So, I saw these folks last Saturday night in the metropolis of Shipshewana, Indiana. Here are my takeaways:

  1. For a band to play only 2 mainstream songs (Uncle Penn & Highway 40 Blues) and the rest of the songs to not be that well known - yet the show to be phenomenal is a testament to Ricky and the talent of the band.
  2. Jake Workman is so fast on a guitar I couldn’t figure out if it was more like watching at cartoon or a concert in fast-forward.
  3. Russ Carson has been at a number of Banjo camps. He plays with Ricky at a ridiculous speed - WITH HIS EYES CLOSED!
  4. Dennis Parker has a powerful testimony.

If they ever are every remotely close to wherever you live, go see them!!

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#2

I had to be sure to be the first one to like this. :slight_smile: I can’t think of a better show in bluegrass that I’ve been to, at least. Love Dennis’s testimony - probably the strongest point of the set - how he unashamedly stands up in front of largely intoxicated audiences and speaks of Jesus’s power to deliver. And Jake, well, there’s no words. Did you lose your voice? Mine usually hurts for days. :grinning:

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#3

Was that the first time you’ve seen them? Their performances are electrifying!

Dennis Parker’s testimony and song, best part of the show. (The worst part of the show is that he doesn’t do 10 more songs.) :joy:

Are you secretly trying to be like Tony Rice??

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#4

The show was in Amish country - so there was no intoxication - lol. :joy: I met Dennis at banjo camp 2 years ago & was able to catch up with him after the show for a bit. Great guy!

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#5

Haha, that’s great. Last two shows I went to were in your typical theater where the audience around you is pretty gross. He doesn’t change his message based on where he is.

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#6

I saw then last year and they did almost every hit song Ricky had on country music in the 80s and there were a lot of them!

Crying my heart out over you
I Would’t Change You If I Could
Heartbroke
Don’t Get Above you Raisin’
Honey
You May See Me Walkin’
Country Boy

They played for a long time!

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