Country Boy (Ricky Skaggs song)
Encyclopedia
"Country Boy" is a 1985 single recorded by Ricky Skaggs
and written by Tony Colton, Albert Lee, and Ray Smith of the British band Heads Hands & Feet
. "Country Boy" was Ricky Skaggs' ninth number-one country music
hit. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country chart.
. Bill Monroe
played "Uncle Pen". The video has Uncle Pen visiting Ricky in his New York City office and being upset that Ricky has shed his country ways. Ricky leads Uncle Pen through New York City's streets, sights, and subways and shows through song and dance that he's still a "country boy at heart". It was directed by Martin Kahan. The video includes cameos by Ed Koch
, the then-incumbent Mayor of New York City
, as a cabdriver, dancer Charlotte d'Amboise
, plus actor David Keith
as a disgruntled New Yorker trying to ignore the dancers. The video was one of four nominees for the first "Music Video of the Year" honor presented by the 19th Country Music Association Awards
in October 1985. While Skaggs was named "Entertainer of the Year", the "Country Boy" video lost out to "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight
" by Hank Williams, Jr.
and director John Goodhue.
Ricky Skaggs
Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
and written by Tony Colton, Albert Lee, and Ray Smith of the British band Heads Hands & Feet
Heads Hands & Feet
Heads Hands & Feet were a British rock and country rock band.The group formed from the ashes of Poet and the One Man Band in 1969, and released an album on the UK Verve and US Paramount...
. "Country Boy" was Ricky Skaggs' ninth number-one country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
hit. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country chart.
Music video
The music video for "Country Boy" was set in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe
William Smith Monroe was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader...
played "Uncle Pen". The video has Uncle Pen visiting Ricky in his New York City office and being upset that Ricky has shed his country ways. Ricky leads Uncle Pen through New York City's streets, sights, and subways and shows through song and dance that he's still a "country boy at heart". It was directed by Martin Kahan. The video includes cameos by Ed Koch
Ed Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
, the then-incumbent Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
, as a cabdriver, dancer Charlotte d'Amboise
Charlotte d'Amboise
Charlotte d'Amboise is an American actress and dancer. She has played starring roles in musical theatre, and has been nominated for two Tony Awards and won the Los Angeles Ovation Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Chicago...
, plus actor David Keith
David Keith
David Lemuel Keith is an American actor and director. He received Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor and New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman.-Career:...
as a disgruntled New Yorker trying to ignore the dancers. The video was one of four nominees for the first "Music Video of the Year" honor presented by the 19th Country Music Association Awards
Country Music Association Awards
The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards, or the CMAs, and not to be confused with the ACM Awards, are voted on by business members of the Country Music Association. The first CMA awards were presented at an untelevised ceremony in Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1967...
in October 1985. While Skaggs was named "Entertainer of the Year", the "Country Boy" video lost out to "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight
"All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" is a song written and recorded by country music performer Hank Williams, Jr.. It was released in October 1984 as the second single from his 1984 album Major Moves. It peaked at number ten on the country music charts...
" by Hank Williams, Jr.
Hank Williams, Jr.
Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
and director John Goodhue.
Chart performance
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |