Skaggs, Hornsby, McCoury, Fleck, Douglas & more slated for Wide Open Bluegrass 2014

As we mentioned last week, the International Bluegrass Music Association will be sticking with Raleigh through 2018. But moving on to more pressing matters, the initial acts for the big Wide Open Bluegrass Festival on October 3 and 4 have been announced and feature a smorgasbord of bluegrass all stars.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, the Del McCoury Band with special guests, Hot Rize (who have their first new studio album in 24 years due out this year), Gibson Brothers, local stars Steep Canyon Rangers, and Sierra Hull will play the big event. There will also be the Wide Open Jam featuring Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton, and Stuart Duncan.

Tickets for the festival are on sale now via Etix.

A Skaggs Family Christmas coming to Durham in December

Ricky Skaggs is taking A Skaggs Family Christmas on the road this winter, which features his wife Sharon White and her family group The Whites.

They'll make a stop at the Carolina Theatre in Durham just a few days before Christmas, on Saturday, December 21. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 25, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $37 to $77.

Check out the song "Christmas Times a Coming" from the A Skaggs Family Christmas Volume Two released in 2011 below.

Ricky Skaggs announces 2012 dates, coming to Greensboro

Veteran bluegrass and country musician Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder are gearing up for continued touring in 2012 in support of his latest album Country Hits Bluegrass Style, released in July.

The tour will bring the band to the fantastic Carolina Theatre in Greensboro on Friday, February 10. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $34.50, $29.50 or $22.50 plus a $2.50 restoration fee.

Check out the song "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" from Country Hits Bluegrass Style below.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder to play Clayton

The Clayton Center has already started lining up acts for their 2009-2010 concert schedule. The first act confirmed is none-other than bluegrass superstar and recent Raconteurs collaborator Ricky Skaggs. He and his band Kentucky Thunder will play the Clayton Center on October 17. Obviously, tickets for the show aren't on sale yet and probably won't be for a little while, but when they are, they should be available via etix.com unless they happen to switch ticketing services for next season.

Check the excellent video of Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe with The Racontuers playing "Old Enough." It's been out for while but it's quite good.