Princess Theatre

Fifteen-time GRAMMY® Award winner Ricky Skaggs will bring his legendary sound to The Princess Theatre on August 14. With a career widely regarded as one of the most influential in modern country music, Skaggs has long been celebrated for both honoring tradition and pushing the genre forward. In fact, legendary guitarist Chet Atkins once credited him with “single- handedly saving country music.” Born on July 18, 1954, in Cordell, Kentucky, Skaggs displayed extraordinary musical talent from a young age. He performed on stage with bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe at just six years old and appeared on television with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs by age seven. By 1971, he had launched his professional career, joining Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys alongside his friend Keith Whitley. Skaggs went on to perform with groundbreaking bluegrass groups including the Country Gentlemen and J.D. Crowe & the New South, whose 1975 debut album remains a landmark recording in the genre. He later formed Boone Creek, featuring acclaimed Dobro player Jerry Douglas. In the late 1970s, Skaggs transitioned into mainstream country music, joining Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band. His solo career soared with the 1981 release of Waitin’ for the Sun to Shine, which topped the charts and produced two No. 1 hits. During his time with Epic Records, he earned 12 No. 1 singles and eight Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1985. As part of the “new traditionalist” movement alongside artists like Randy Travis, Skaggs played a key role in revitalizing country music in the 1980s by blending bluegrass roots with the contemporary Nashville sound. In 1997, he returned to his bluegrass foundation with Bluegrass Rules!, released on his own Skaggs Family Records label. Since then, he has continued to record and perform with his band Kentucky Thunder, an eight-time IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year winner. His label has also supported other roots artists, including The Whites. More than 60 years after first picking up a mandolin, Ricky Skaggs continues to shape and celebrate American roots music. His enduring passion and artistry promise an unforgettable evening for audiences at The Princess Theatre.

In a city that celebrates overnight success, Ten Year Town shines a light on the years it actually takes. This intimate documentary follows nine Nashville singer-songwriters through a defining stretch of their journeys, capturing the quiet endurance behind the music—late nights, small rooms, borrowed couches, and hard-earned moments of grace. Deeply connected to this community, nine out of the ten featured songwriters have performed at the Princess Theatre’s singer-songwriter series, and the film itself highlights the spirit of the Princess as a home for authentic storytelling and rising talent. Following the screening, acclaimed writers Chris Canterbury, Erin Enderlin, and Collin Nash will take the stage for a special songwriter round and Q&A, offering a rare, firsthand glimpse into the craft, struggle, and perseverance that define the Nashville songwriting path.

Known for his powerful voice and heartfelt performances, John Berry rose to national prominence in the 1990s with a string of hit songs and chart success. During his breakthrough decade, he placed 20 singles on the country charts, including six Top 5 hits. His signature song, “Your Love Amazes Me,” reached #1 on the Billboard and Radio & Records Country charts, and he earned a Grammy Award in 1996. His recordings have achieved multiple Gold and Platinum certifications. Audiences can expect a memorable performance featuring beloved hits such as “Your Love Amazes Me” and “She’s Taken a Shine,” delivered in Berry’s signature storytelling style. Whether performing solo with a guitar or accompanied by a full band, Berry creates an intimate concert experience centered on connection, authenticity, and his unmistakable voice. Born in South Carolina and raised in Georgia, Berry began playing guitar at age 13, performing publicly at 14, and recording professionally by 19. His enduring career reflects both his musical talent and the life experiences that continue to shape his performances today. Berry’s contributions to country music have earned him induction into the North American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame.