Ricky skaggs - the high notes

[Mike Bullard]

I read the news so I went on down to Cracker Barrel and sure enough they had it on #the shelf. The price was right ($11.99) and I would have bought it anyway. The lady at Cracker Barrel asked if we wanted a table but I told her "No thank you, we were just here to buy some music" and she looked kinda surprised. So I paid for the CD and out to the truck and put her in. I remember the original country versions of these tunes but they don't really hold a light to the new bluegrass versions...(IMHO) Some of the songs have already been played bluegrass style like Highway 40 Blues and Uncle Pen to name a few but all in all this is a great CD and well worth the money. It is professionally and tastefully made with good liner notes. I think Ricky must have taken a marketing class along the way because he is sure putting out some good music here lately. Go have some breakfast or dinner and pickup a copy today.

[Gutbucket]

And don't forget the Sawmill gravy!

[mandopluker]

And don't forget the Sawmill gravy!

...hum I did not see that song on my copy

[LoneStarMandolin]

been meaning to get to CB and get that CD. maybe it's heresy but I kind of liked some of Ricky's country stuff - so I'm sure I'll really like it as bluegrass! thanks for the review!

[MikeEdgerton]

You aren't the only one that liked his country stuff.

[Ken Berner]

Maybe Pick-N-Grin meant that the banjo was tuned in the "Sawmill tuning".

[Steve Perry]

Ok... let's see now. #He's re-releasing his country hits, most of which were old bluegrass songs, in bluegrass versions... #so, that means that he's doing old bluegrass songs, that he did country, bluegrass again. #So does that mean that he's doing old blue... no... old country.. no...

Owww!... my head hurts.....

[sbarnes]

got it today....for the most part - excellent

[Chris Biorkman]

I wish they had Cracker Barrels in California. I would
kill for some chicken and dumplins right now.

[Gutbucket]

I wish they had Cracker Barrels in California. I would
kill for some chicken and dumplins right now.

I think it has something to do with strict E.P.A. guidelines.

[MikeEdgerton]

No Cracker Barrel near you? No problem. Here is their online store.

[West]

I can't find chicken & dumplins in the online store.

[Ivan Kelsall]

If Ricky's done a marketing class along the way,he's been extremely short sighted. If this CD which i would like to obtain,is available ONLY at Cracker Barrel outlets,then any sales outside the USA are gone. Maybe he'll have a re-think & put it in the stores as well. Maybe i'll just settle for the chicken & dumplins (home made of course !),
Saska

[swampstomper]

Ricky's marketing seems right on to me. Cracker Barrel customers mostly come from his core fan base back in the country hits days, so they will remember his name. They will like the BG arrangements because they remember the songs, and will hear them done in this fresh way, that also harks back to earlier times (WSM). And you can get it mailed to you from their online store if you can't get to the restaurant.

I've noticed when folks stop into Cracker Barrel they mostly do a little shopping in the store; the CD rack is prominent, the CD's are nicely packaged with the artist name (or theme if multi-artist) prominently featured. I think this is a good move by Ricky and a treat for his country fans.

[MikeEdgerton]

If Ricky's done a marketing class along the way,he's been extremely short sighted. If this CD which i would like to obtain,is available ONLY at Cracker Barrel outlets,then any sales outside the USA are gone. Maybe he'll have a re-think & put it in the stores as well...

It's available online. See my link above.

This sort of marketing is all the rage these days. Garth Brooks sold a ton of CD's that were only sold in Wal-Mart stores. I'm going to guess that Ricky got some big money from Cracker Barrel for the exclusive rights to this CD. The fact that you have to go to one of their stores to buy it means you'll most likely (not always) have a meal as well and that's the business they are in. They can probably place a good portion of their demographic audience in the same category as his audience. Above all else he seems to be a pretty astute business man. I don't think this was a marketing faux pas I'm sure he was thinking it through.

[LoneStarMandolin]

actually, instead of Ricky missing a marketing class this is the new thing: artists doing deals directly with the end seller instead of with a major label that represents them (and gets a big piece of the pie). this kind of thing will be more and more common because iTunes and other means of getting music are changing the industry. the days of artists working for a big label are over. artists will be able to get their music out as they see fit - and in ways that reach their core audience faster and better.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Many thanks Mike. I'm totally unfamiliar with the Cracker Barrel stores as there aren't any in the UK of course, but it looks like they'd be willing to ship one out for me,
Saska

[GRW3]

Do you all remember the music video for "Country Boy" featuring Bill Monroe as Uncle Pen? (Or is this called "Uncle Pen"?) Bill buck dancing on the subway was hysterical.

What is it he said? "Don't get above your raising!"

[Brady Smith]

Well...after checking this one out, I can't say I don't like it because I've always liked about everything Ricky has put out but I don't know that it's all that different from the original country versions. There's still a lot of percussion, accordian , steel guitar, piano and electric. So anyhow, basically disappointed. But at least they've put out a decent country cd....maybe there's still hope for country...lol, I know it's too late.

[rfloyd]

Mmmmm....chicken and dumplin's and Ricky Skaggs! Wish there were a CB nearby. Which brings up the real reason for this message. Is there anyone unhappy (or just finished with) with their copy of this CD? I'll buy it from you. I would buy it online, but I just won't pay $7 shipping and handling on a $12 CD.

I have bought several CDs on Cafe' classifieds, and the going rate seems to be $10 inluding postage. Anybody interested?

[MikeEdgerton]

Try posting a message in the Wanted Section of the classifieds. That's really where something like this belongs.

[mando Nick]

Cracker Barrel has done some interesting music cds, making use of folklorists who choose good traditional music. Some years ago, while in Ohio, we stopped off to eat at a Cracker Barrel store, and I came away with "Stony Point Quartet" doing gospel songs, and"Sacred Steel Guitar Masters"-Black church musicians who play the steel guitar in their services.

[ALog]

I picked up a Seldom Scene CD at Cracker Barrel a year or so ago and it was really good. That seems to be their "john rur".

[45ACP-GDLF5]

I picked up Ricky's cd on Sat. night at Cracker Barrel. Great cd. I like the bluegrass versions a little better I think. I seen Ricky Skaggs back in the 80's in Asheville and he was great with his country music. He opened up for the Judds. His new hairdo is uh.....different!

[250sc]

The first time I saw Ricky, he was in Emmy Lou Harris' backup band. He played electric guitar, accoustic mando, electric mando, fiddle and sang harmony on most songs while doing it. I didn't know who he was before the concert but sure remembered him from that point on. He's a very talented dude.