An excited Brad Paisley joined Ricky Skaggs on stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s new CMA Theater for the first of two Artist-in-Residence shows on Monday.
“You know anything about this song?” Ricky asked as Brad strapped on his guitar.
“Yeah, I’ve been playing this song since I was two,” he joked. “I feel like I’m back in my bedroom at 12 years old listening to Live in London and he’s playing the electric guitar again. It’s flipping me out. I’m so excited. Really, it’s fantasy camp. This is wonderful.”
The band then kicked into what turned out to be a duet on Skaggs chart-topping 1983 hit “Highway 40 Blues,” with Brad himself playing electric.
Monday’s concert focused on Skaggs’ country career with number ones like “Cajun Moon” and “Honey (Open That Door),” while Tuesday’s show featured his bluegrass side, with Alison Krauss sitting in.