The Grand Ole Opry_® presented by Humana_® will honor one of the most awarded artists in country and bluegrass music, Ricky Skaggs, on his 30^th anniversary as an Opry member during the Tuesday Night Opry May 15, 2012.

The 14-time Grammy_® winner was inducted into the Opry on May 15, 1982. His milestone anniversary will be celebrated with performances by the honoree, fellow Opry members Alison Krauss, Josh Turner, and The Whites, plus special guests two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year Dailey & Vincent.

“Not unlike Ricky’s music, the list of artists lined up to honor him on May 15 is eclectic and award-winning,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “It’s going to be a night of great musicianship as we celebrate all that Ricky means to the Opry family.”

From Ricky’s beginnings in bluegrass, he has gone on to put his own stamp on the mainstream country format, resulting in 12 No. 1 hits, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and eight Country Music Association Awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1985. Ricky started his own record label, Skaggs Family Records, in 1997 and has since released 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated albums. His latest project, Country Hits Bluegrass Style, is exactly what its title suggests: Ricky’s classic country hits offered up in fresh, new bluegrass form. With a career spanning over 50 years in music, he is currently working on an autobiography, has been selected as a 2012 recipient of the ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award and is to be inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame later this year, all while continuing to record and tour with his band Kentucky Thunder as one of music’s most sought after live performers.