In this week's episode, we're featuring what remains Ricky Skaggs' only US platinum album, "Highways & Heartaches" (1982). A magnificent sophomore effort on Epic Records, Skaggs was once again given free rein to produce it himself - certainly an uncommon stipulation for a 28-year-old would-be star with next to no country music clout at the time. After hitting town a few years earlier armed with but a few rough mixes, Ricky Skaggs scored a meeting with Epic's Rick Blackburn, and aside from walking away with a recording contract more or less that day - Blackburn also agreed to let Skaggs produce his own stuff, pending sales. Hindsight proved that to be a wise decision, because from the get-go Skaggs - from a traditional bluegrass background - combined the acoustic and no-fuss aspects of bluegrass and old-time country music with an uncanny knack of finding timeless material which appealed to mainstream country audiences. The Kentucky high tenor had himself three number ones from 1982's "Highways & Heartaches", and cemented himself at the forefront of a rising traditional country revolt - later to be known as the new-traditionalist movement. Highlights include Guy Clark's "Heartbroke" (with one minor change); a cover of Bill Monroe's "Can't You Hear Me Callin'"; some glorious steel guitar from Lloyd Green on "You've Got A Lover" and the whirlwind picking on fellow member of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band Rodney Crowell's "One Way Rider" is simply mesmerising.
Scott Southworth - Hey Hillbilly Singer!
Charley Pride - From Me To You
Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (Self Titled)
Red Steagall & The Coleman County Cowboys - For All Our Cowboy Friends
Paul Bogart - Leather
Ray Price - Love Life
The Reeves Brothers - King Of Country Music
Faron Young - Step Aside
Cal Smith - Country Bumpkin
Teea Goans - Swing, Shuffle & Sway
Stoney Edwards - Mississippi You're On My Mind
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Daryle Singletary - That's Why I Sing This Way
Clint Black - Put Yourself In My Shoes
Darrell McCall - Lily Dale
Clint Hasse - Inside Nashville
Buck Owens & His Buckeroos - Together Again/My Heart Skips A Beat
Conway Twitty - I'm So Used To Loving You
OB McClinton - OB McClinton Country
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