Kentucky Thunder

Infobox musical artist
Name = Kentucky Thunder

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Img_capt = Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder performing on June 15, 2008.
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Origin = Kentucky, USA
Genre = Bluegrass
Years_active = 1997–Present
Label = Rounder, Sugar Hill, Hollywood, RCA, Skaggs Family Records
Associated_acts = Ricky Skaggs
URL =
Current_members = Andy Leftwich
Cody Kilby
Ben Helson
Paul Brewster
Jim Mills
Mark Fain|

Kentucky Thunder, or Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, is the band that plays with Ricky Skaggs. Many members of the band have won numerous awards. Bandleader Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and is the lead vocalist. The group has won the Instrumental Group of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association multiple times, as well as six Grammy Awards. ["Since then, Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder have released an amazing 8 consecutive Grammy-nominated classics, (6 of which went on to earn the revered award)..." [http://skaggsfamilyrecords.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm?id=12253] ]

Line-up

The current line-up is;
*Andy Leftwich - Fiddle
*Cody Kilby - Lead Guitar
*Ben Helson - Rhythm Guitar and Baritone Vocals
*Paul Brewster - Rhythm Guitar and Harmony Vocals
*Jim Mills - Banjo
*Mark Fain - Bass

Discography

*^A"Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947" peaked at #191 on the Billboard 200.

Awards

Grammy awards

* 1998 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for "Bluegrass Rules!"
* 1999 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for "Ancient Tones"
* 2000 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for "Soldier Of The Cross"
* 2003 Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for "A Simple Life"
* 2004 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for "Brand New Strings"
* 2006 Best Bluegrass Album: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for "Instrumentals"

IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards

* 1998 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 1998 Album Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder for "Bluegrass Rules!"
* 1999 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 2000 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 2002 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 2003 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 2004 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 2005 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
* 2006 Instrumental Group Of The Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

References