That's Dr. Ricky Skaggs

Berklee College of Music Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Larry Simpson will bestow the honor as part of Skaggs' performance on the Tuesday Night Opry March 18.

"At Berklee, we admire musicians of extraordinary talent who follow their artistic inclinations fearlessly," said Berklee President Roger Brown. "Ricky Skaggs is a master musician with sky-high standards who achieved mainstream success his own way, on his own terms. By honoring Ricky Skaggs, we shine a light on the present and future of bluegrass; its heritage and its infinite potential. And besides all that, the man can pick."

Slated to play the Opry that evening are Country Musc Hall of Famers Bill Anderson and Jimmy Dickens, The Del McCoury Band, and The Whites, with whom Skaggs won a Grammy Award last month. Also present will be 120 Berklee students who will have the special privilege of a private question and answer session with Skaggs after the ceremony as part of their spring break trip.

The Boston school also has given the honor to country music stars Loretta Lynn and Earl Scruggs. Others given the honor were Duke Ellington, Sting, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Joel, Sarah Vaughan, John Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, Paul Simon, Patti LaBelle, and, David Bowie among others.