ABOUT KELLY RICHEY

 

PERFORMER & RECORDING ARTIST

Kelly Richey stands out as one of the most dedicated and relentless independent musicians in today’s music industry. Hailing from Cincinnati, she’s fondly known as the “Queen of the Road Warriors” for her extensive tours. With a flourishing 30-year career, Kelly has mesmerized audiences from the USA to Europe, Canada, and Australia. Leading her dynamic blues/rock power trio, she’s delivered over 4,000 electrifying performances, traveled an astonishing 1 million miles, and produced 16 distinctive albums under her own label, Sweet Lucy Records. Her prowess isn’t just limited to her guitar skills; she’s a celebrated singer and songwriter too. Kelly’s music isn’t the kind that fades into the background; it’s an intense fusion of blues-rock that demands attention, resembling a commanding performance on steroids.

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky and calling Cincinnati home since 2000, Kelly Richey picked up the guitar at a mere age of 15. Her powerful performances captivated the late Lonnie Mack, leading him to depict her as “Stevie Ray Vaughan trapped in a woman’s body, with Janis Joplin screaming to get out.” Recognized by the esteemed Truefire Community as one of the “top 100 gifted guitarists,” Kelly often evokes comparisons to guitar legends, from Stevie Ray to Jimi Hendrix. Her illustrious career boasts of collaborations with icons like Lonnie Mack and Albert King. Moreover, she’s opened for a stellar lineup of artists, including Joe Cocker, Lita Ford, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Walter Trout, Little Feat, Foghat, REO Speedwagon, George Thorogood, Average White Band, Robben Ford, Warren Zevon, and the legendary James Brown.

Kelly Richey marked her entry into the recording world in 1994 with her debut CD, “Sisters Gotta Problem.” By 2011, her discography expanded to encompass 13 CDs, including 8 captivating studio releases and 5 raw live CDs with her blues-rock power trio, a testament to her undeniable fervor and dedication to the guitar. 2013 saw Funkmaster, Freekbass, synergizing with the Kelly Richey Band. Together, they embarked on extensive tours across the US, Canada, and Australia, blessing fans with albums like ‘Sweet Spirit’ in 2013 and ‘The Kelly Richey Band Live at the Blue Wisp’ in 2015. In a defining move in 2016, Kelly collaborated with Tobe “Tobotius” Donohue and Rikk Manning for the groundbreaking ‘Shakedown Soul’. This album is an eclectic fusion of blues-driven rock, infectious funk grooves, and edgy urban electronica, complete with DJ scratches, rhythmic drum loops, and electrifying guitar solos. Richey’s latest full-length album is relentless in its intensity. Supporting this release on tour, the Kelly Richey Band ensures they’re unforgettable, leaving an indelible mark on every stage.

In 2017, Kelly Richey’s vision to develop an all-original female blues-rock power duo was inspired by her love for bands like the White Stripes, The Kills, The Flat Duo Jets and the Black Keys. The Spear Shakers features Kelly Richey on lead guitar and vocals and Sherri McGee on the drums. The raw power, electrifying force, and psychedelic sound of these two stars form a new constellation. Two words can be used to sum up these women: Bad-Ass!  McGee’s blues-rock shamanic-grooves lay the thundering foundation for Richey’s masterful guitar jams delivered with a muscularity that will move your soul and melt your face.

The Spear Shakers can be likened to a trippy rendition of the White Stripes, a wild extension of the Black Keys, and if encapsulated into a musical elixir, they’d be an intoxicating blend of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Chrissie Hynde, and Janis Joplin. This blues-rock dynamo affirms that rock n’ roll is alive and roaring, with a fervor that promises to ignite your spirit.

In early 2019, The Spear Shakers unveiled three music videos and a compelling promotional sizzle reel, underscoring their stature as powerhouses in the music world. Parallel to this dynamic duo’s evolution, Kelly stands out, effortlessly transitioning between high-voltage electric blues and heartwarming, acoustic storytelling sessions. Eager to experience the musical journey firsthand? Dive deep into Kelly’s world by visiting her YouTube Channel, showcasing her latest videos and a treasure trove of performances spanning over a decade. Discover the essence of Kelly as a gifted guitarist and captivating performer. For those craving her recorded tracks, you’ll find her complete collection on all major online music platforms. Dive in and let the power of Kelly Richey’s music take over!

GUITAR LESSONS

In addition to her reputation as a touring musician and recording artist, Kelly Richey has over 30 years of teaching experience. She is a dedicated guitar instructor who is passionate about inspiring students to learn. Early on, while practicing 12 to 16 hours per day, Kelly began teaching in her hometown, giving one-on-one guitar lessons to students of all ages. As she began to tour, Richey took her teaching with her on the road, giving instruction workshops at schools, universities, and local communities and developing her own guitar instruction manual. With advances in modern technology, she has continued to expand, giving one-on-one lessons via Skype and launching her own online guitar classroom with over 150 instructional videos built on the rock-solid method she has perfected over three decades.

In 2014, Kelly Richey joined the TrueFire family, one of the oldest and most respected online guitar instruction platforms. Based on her teaching experience and an encyclopedic knowledge of blues guitar techniques and styles, TrueFire.com produced two videos instruction series, “Blues Grit” and “Focus On: Blues Rock Power Trio.” Kelly also hosts her own virtual classroom on their site, which allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.  The TrueFire platform, offers a customized lesson, private video messaging, a social learning environment, and access to the entire TrueFire library with over 35,000 guitar instruction videos.  You can subscribe to Kelly Richey’s Cutting Edge Channel starting at $5 per month, which gives you access to over 250 of her instructional videos, tab and rhythm tracks.  In addition to these materials, you can purchase individual DO exchange lessons for $39 or subscribe for monthly lessons for $99. Kelly’s TrueFire channel also serves to support her one-on-one guitar students who work with her in person, and via video Skype.

A warm, outgoing and dynamic guitar instructor with a unique and carefully crafted teaching style all her own, Kelly Richey is committed to building a connection with all her students no matter what their skill level or background may be. Kelly delivers expert instruction tailored to meet the needs of her individual students so that they can achieve their full potential.

HANDPAN LESSONS

In 2019, Kelly embraced the enchanting sounds of the handpan, diving deep into its mystical tones and incorporating its healing vibrations into her repertoire. Today, she not only performs with this magical instrument but also teaches and shares its healing benefits through her work with the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Healing Arts Program.

Since 2020, Kelly has built an extensive collection of handpans from makers around the world. Purchasing a handpan can be a daunting process, but Kelly offers private consultations to guide you in choosing the perfect handpan. Whether you’re seeking a used instrument or selecting a new one from the right builder, she’ll tailor her advice to your personal needs.

MUSIC 4 CHANGE

In 2003, Kelly became an Artist on Tour for the Cincinnati Arts Association, delivering her “History of the Blues” assembly program to students grades seven through 12. In 2005, Kelly began to see drastic cuts in arts in education funding, which impacted all artist working in the schools. Inspired to do something, in 2006, Kelly established Music for Change, a nonprofit organization committed to keeping music and the arts alive in the public-school systems. As Kelly continued her work through the Cincinnati Arts Association, she also began delivering guitar instruction workshops, her blues history program, with live performances, and writing workshops in schools, universities, and community centers, when she traveled.

As a student who had struggled in school because of dyslexia, Richey knew first-hand about the power of music and the positive impact it had had on her ability to learn and excel.  Today, Kelly continues her work through the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Healing Arts Program, playing acoustic guitar for hospice patients, and delivering writing workshops and self-care programs to healthcare facilities in the greater Cincinnati area. As part of Music for Change, volunteers her services through the Guitars 4 Vets program, that offers U.S. armed services veterans, free guitar lessons.