Hot Pickin'
withSlim Richey
at Goodfolk Productions on Thursday, August 7
Hot Pickin'
withSlim Richey
at Goodfolk Productions on Thursday, August 7
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It was 1985 when Slim Richey played with David Amram for the first time and the only time I've heard him play. They were in Eureka Springs, along with David Grisman and Richard Greene for a few days of some hot picking. I remember one of the tunes that Slim and David performed. Turns out the 65 year-old Slim remembered that particular tune also, as I spoke with him from his home in Rolling Oaks, near Driftwood, TX. " I'm a guitar player and David wanted me to do it on the fiddle. He insisted I could do it. Don't know how, but we did it." What they did was play the melodies of "I've Got Rhythm" and "Arkansas Traveler" at the same time – on violin and guitar. Not one on each instrument, but both, at the same time. Sure did impress me. Slim went on to play many years and many more shows with David. Slim began playing piano, then guitar, and by the 9th grade in Atlanta, Texas, where he was reared – ("my Grandma said you raise pigs, and rear children") had a band together. The small town, south of Texarkana and about seven miles from the Arkansas line "only had 76 students in 1956," he said, "but some real talent." One of those being Nat Stuckey, who later would write several memorable songs, including "Sweet Thang" and "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line," Since that start, Slim has played and recorded with Herb Ellis, Marc Johnson, Maryann Price, Marty Stuart, David Amram, Ricky Skaggs, Ray Price, and many others. He's done lots of things to keep afloat in the music business. Over the years, Slim has owned a small record company, a music distributorship, world rights on a digital recorder that slowed music and put it in a loop to aid in learning and he records instructional videos. And sometimes he goes down to South Plains College to teach, alongside his friend Alan Munde. Music critic and jazz guitarist, Fletcher Clark recently published a list of the 13 greatest Texas-born jazz players. Slim is one of three still alive and still playing. He started his current band, Slim Richey's Dream Band, about three years ago. For the road, the Dream Band is a trio. Playing bass is his wife Francie Meaux Jeaux, a veteran who's played with Dan Hicks, Michelle Shocked, Bruce Robinson, Kelly Willis and Maryann Price. Lady Lacynica Michelís is the singer. He could hardly hold back the enthusiasm for her. "Martin Banks, former trumpet player for Dinah Washington, was playing with us one night. He told me later that when he first head Lacynica, he had to turn around to look, to make sure it wasn't Dinah." Lacynica has played with the San Francisco based band J.P. and The Jubilie Five and in New York with the Ken Hurtz Jazz trio, and she's only 26 years old. She joined Slim's band by answering a newspaper ad after moving to Austin. Slim had placed an ad for a singer and he said, "I auditioned 30 people and she was so far over the rest, she has so much talent. We've got a good following in Austin," he continued, "we're filling up several clubs during the week and weekends. And now we're beginning to branch out a bit." On Thursday, August 7th, Slim and the Dream Band will be taking the stage at GoodFolk Productions, 229 N. Block in Fayetteville. Check www.goodfolk.org for more information or call 521-1812. The show starts at 7:30 and there is a $10 admission. Mike Shirkey is host of "The Pickin' Post," now in it's 24th year, heard Saturday evenings from 7-9 p.m. on KUAF. www.kuaf.com Slim Richey, who lays his head in Rolling Oaks, is a regular player in Austin, Texas at Ego's, Elephant Room, Louisiana Jazz and more… He sits in many nights with the Jazz Pharaohs with his dangerous guitar..... Check his website for additional information www.slimricheysdreamband.com or e-mail Slim himself at slim@ridgerunner.com! |