Kelly Richey (born November 30, 1962) is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and composer based out of Cincinnati, Ohio.(November 20, 1998). "Energy and polish define blues-rockers", St. Petersburg Times, p. 10.(December 2001). "Richey resonates in new CD", Kentucky Monthly 4 (12): 30.
Early life Kelly Richey was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, United States,Johnston, Katie (April 30, 1999). "Blues woman making it while remaining true to her roots", The Gazette, p. GO15. in a conservative Christian household that avoided rock music. Her first instrument was the piano. Her second instrument was a drum kit that her neighbor let her take home. After a couple of months of playing drums in her bedroom, her father offered to buy her anything she wanted; she chose the guitar. She started learning guitar at age 15; she reached a point where she was practicing 12 hours a day.Hughes, Andrew S (October 2, 2011). "Richey changes her life, renews her music ", South Bend Tribune, p. D2.(January 29, 1999). "Kelly Richey Knows Stomping Grounds", Dayton Daily News, p. 18.
Career Kelly Richey joined Stealin Horses, Kopana Terry, Kiya Heartwoodin 1986. In 1988 she played with Albert King at the Cuckoo Nest in Nashville. In 1990, she formed The Kelly Richey Band (KRB). In 1997 she moved from Lexington, Kentucky to Mount Auburn, Cincinnati.Bird, Rick (May 27, 1999). "Kelly Richey: She digs a little deeper", The Cincinnati Post, p. 5. Writing of her 2001 album Sending Me Angels, Guitar Player praised her "fiery solos" and her "fast, powerful picking hand", which she credited to having played as a drummer. She cites Roy Buchanan as an influence, besides Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Lonnie Mack. She released eleven albums between 1994 and 2008. Her 2006 album Speechless consisted entirely of instrumentals. She took a break from performing in 2010.
Equipment Richey plays a 1965 Fender Stratocaster, the same she has played since the 1980s. It has a 1963 body and a 1965 neck, with a traditional Fender tremolo; the pickups are Seymour Duncan and she uses SIT strings (.10-.046). She plays through a Fender Super Reverb with an Ibanez Tube Screamer.
Discography
1994: Sister's Gotta Problem 1995: The Blues Don't Lie 1996: Live at Tommy's On Main 1997: Eyes of a Woman 1998: Dig a Little Deeper 1999: Kelly Richey Band Live 2001: Sending Me Angels 2003: Kelly Richey Live...As It Should Be 2004: Kelly Richey Live 2006: Speechless 2007: The Kelly Richey Band Live at the Thirsty Ear 2008: Carry the Light 2013: Sweet Spirit 2014: Live at the Blue Wisp
References
External links
List of articles and reviews from national magazines KET television show Interview