Ricky Skaggs w/ Kentucky Thunder

A life full of music. That’s the story of Ricky Skaggs. By age twenty-one, he was already considered a “recognized master” of one of America’s most demanding art forms, but his career took him in other directions, catapulting him to popularity and success in the mainstream of country music. His life’s path has taken him to various musical genres, from where it all began in bluegrass music, to striking out on new musical journeys, while still leaving his musical roots intact.

Ricky struck his first chords on a mandolin over 60 years ago, and this 15-time Grammy Award winner continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. With 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated classics behind him, all from his own Skaggs Family Records label (such as Bluegrass Rules! and Ancient Tones), the diverse and masterful tones made by the gifted Skaggs come from a life dedicated to playing music that is both fed by the soul and felt by the heart.

Skaggs’ first all-live album with Kentucky Thunder, Live at the Charleston Music Hall (2003) led to an IBMA Award for Instrumental Group of the Year – an award Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder has taken home 8 times in the last decade. The decision to record a live album was an obvious one for Skaggs. From a string of high-profile tour dates with the Dixie Chicks in 2000, to his position as host of the unprecedented “All*Star Bluegrass Celebration” which aired nationwide on PBS in 2002, to his participation in the wildly successful 41-city ‘Down from the Mountain’ tour – Ricky has become one of bluegrass’ most dynamic and sought-after live performers. Live at the Charleston Music Hall was honored in 2004 with a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for the Harley Allen-penned track, “A Simple Life.”

He counts the current configuration of Kentucky Thunder among the best group of musicians he has ever worked with. "This group of guys meets my approval every night," Ricky says. "Each and every one of the pickers in Kentucky Thunder totally amazes me in every show...and that, to me, outweighs any award we could ever win." The all-star lineup of Kentucky Thunder includes Russ Carson (banjo), Jake Workman (lead guitar), Dennis Parker (baritone vocals, guitar), Gavin Kelso (bass), Mike Rogers (tenor vocals, rhythm guitar) and Billy Contreras (fiddle).

All tickets for the Live at The Gardens Summer Concert Series are sold utilizing a dynamic pricing model—which means that for each performance, ticket prices will fluctuate depending on demand—with limited amounts of tickets available at varying price points. Become a Gardens Member or a Lincoln Center Subscriber to receive early access to summer series tickets.

Clear Bag Policy: 

The Gardens on Spring Creek will be enforcing a clear bag policy during all concert events.

Guests are welcome to bring clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12 x 6 x 12 inches. Small clutches that are the size of a hand (4.5 x 6.5 inches or smaller) are also permitted. No coolers will be allowed inside the Gardens during concert events.

All bags must comply with this policy, including diaper bags. 

Chairs / Seating:
Guests are welcome to bring their own folding lawn chairs. No canopies, tents or umbrellas are permitted. Seating is first-come, first-served. We ask that all patrons respectfully consolidate their seating area to three feet by three feet, or nine square feet, per patron. Blankets and tables are discouraged. We reserve the right to consolidate your blanket spread or other personal items to allow space for others.

Accessibility: Accessible seating areas are available for guests with disabilities, such as those who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.  These areas will be reserved for patrons from the time when doors open until the start time of the concert. There is space for one companion per person requiring accessible seating. Auxiliary aids and services are available for people with disabilities; please contact our team at gardens@fcgov.com or 970.416.2486 at least two weeks prior to the concert date.

Weather: All concerts are scheduled to take place rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to bring items for comfort including hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and jackets/raincoats in order to be prepared for shifting weather during events. In the event of severe weather, concert staff will communicate any necessary updates.

Parking: Free parking is available in The Gardens lot, along Botanical Lane or in the USDA's Natural Resources Research Center lot across the street. The Gardens is also easily accessed by the Spring Creek Trail with ample bike parking and a separate bike gate entrance located directly on the trail.

Entry / Doors: Gates will open to concert ticketholders one hour prior to the scheduled show start time. Note that regular daily Gardens operations will close to guests at least three hours prior to the beginning of scheduled concert performances. Ticketholders may enter the venue through the main Visitor Center entrance, the Rock Garden gate west of The Gardens’ main parking lot, and through the gate south of the Spring Creek Trail. Please have your tickets ready to scan upon entrance. One admission per ticket.

Re-Entry Policy:  Re-entry is prohibited. Guests cannot leave and later regain entry into the venue. Please plan accordingly. 

Food and Drink: The Gardens will have a variety of food and drink offerings inside the venue including food trucks, a full cash bar and water fountains for refillable water bottles. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. Guests are permitted to bring factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages, empty reusable water bottles and food for personal consumption. Food must be packed in transparent bags or containers according to the clear bag policy outlined above. No glass is allowed.

Show Length: Concerts will be approximately 90 minutes long; this may vary by performer.  Due to City sound ordinances, all concerts will end at 8 p.m.

Smoking: There is no smoking allowed. This includes but is not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana or tobacco in any form.

Prohibited Items:
Prohibited items include but are not limited to:  

• Outside alcohol, marijuana and tobacco in any form
• Glass containers
• Pets (service animals as defined by the ADA are allowed)
• Tents, canopies or umbrellas
• Recording devices
• Noisemakers
• Laser pointers
• Confetti or glitter
• Fires of any kind including grills, fireworks and candles
• Bikes, skateboards and roller skates (bike parking is available outside venue)

Policies are subject to change at any time and may vary by performer. Any person observed in violation of the outlined policies will be subject to ejection without refund.

Animals: Only service animals are permitted at The Gardens. Service animals must be restrained and must remain with the owner. If a service animal interferes with other guests, corrective action may include rearranging seating or removal of the service animal from the amphitheater. Emotional support animals, comfort animals and therapy dogs are not service animals as defined by the 2010 ADA Guidelines and are not allowed at concerts.

Content: Some productions may contain mature language or content. The Gardens on Spring Creek does not censor or guarantee the content of any production.