Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White: A Lifetime of Harmony, Faith, and a Gospel Performance That Means Even More Today

More than 40 years after Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White said “I do,” their music still carries the warmth, comfort, and sincerity that first brought audiences to their songs. Their story has never been defined by awards or industry success alone. At its heart, it is a story about family, faith, and a musical bond that has only deepened with time.

When Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White first met, they were already building impressive careers of their own. Ricky was emerging as one of bluegrass music’s most exciting talents, while Sharon was a key member of The Whites, the beloved family group she shared with her sister Cheryl White and their father, Buck White. Though they came from different musical paths, they shared a deep respect for tradition and authenticity.

Rather than drawing Sharon away from her family’s musical roots, Ricky embraced them. He became part of a family legacy that was already generations in the making. What followed was not only a lasting marriage but a partnership built on mutual respect, faith, and a shared love of music.

The Whites reached a major milestone when they joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1984. Led by Buck White’s steady hand and distinctive mandolin playing, the group became known for harmonies that felt effortless and deeply personal. Sharon and Cheryl brought a unique blend that helped make The Whites one of country and gospel music’s most respected family acts.

At the same time, Ricky Skaggs continued establishing himself as one of the most influential figures in bluegrass and roots music, collecting 15 Grammy Awards along the way. Together, Ricky and Sharon also created memorable music as a duo, including their Grammy-winning 2008 album Salt of the Earth.

Some performances impress because of technical perfection. Others resonate because they feel genuine. The performance of “If I Be Lifted Up” belongs firmly in the second category, carrying the weight of decades spent making music together.

Today, the song carries an added layer of emotion because of the absence of Buck White, who passed away in January 2025 at the age of 94. For more than half a century, he served as the musical and emotional foundation of The Whites, helping shape not only their sound but the family spirit that defined every performance.

When viewers watch this Country Road TV rendition, they hear more than a gospel standard. They hear a family legacy unfolding through every verse and harmony. Buck’s influence remains present in the music, even though he is no longer standing on stage beside them.

That is what makes the performance so moving. Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White sing with the ease that comes from a lifetime of shared experiences. Cheryl White adds the familiar harmony that has always been central to the family sound. And throughout the song, Buck White’s presence is felt in ways that words cannot fully capture.

There is no grand production, no elaborate staging, and no need for spectacle. The beauty comes from simplicity: family members singing together, united by faith, memory, and a lifetime of music.

In the end, “If I Be Lifted Up” is more than a performance. It is a reminder that the strongest harmonies are built over years, not moments. Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White continue to prove that some of the most powerful music is created not on the biggest stages, but in the shared connections that make a song feel like home.