Hello No Depression:
I love your website. My name is Randy Ricks. Here’s why I should be the Folks Fest Blogger for No Depression:
–I’m a member of No Depression. I have a MacBook Pro laptop, iPad and iPhone to allow me the tools to properly document the goings-on in Lyons during the festival.
–I’m a humorous, insightful and excellent writer. I know music. People like the things I have to say. They’re different.
–I’m a huge fan of Planet Bluegrass. Upon moving to Colorado in 1990, I attended Telluride Bluegrass Festival 5 out of my first 10 years living in Colorado. I’ve been several more times since. I’ve also been to Rocky Grass and Folks Festival several times. I’ve had so many strong spiritual experiences and such a great time because of the music and the PB community, that I wrote in my Will to have ½ of my ashes scattered above the Town Park, at Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride. Now that’s commitment!
–I’m a musician. I understand the dynamics. I’ve been performing on the Denver scene since 1991. We were probably the first band in Denver to cover Richard Thompson songs. I have 8,000 diverse tunes on my iPod, but Americana is dominant.
–My friends call me a “musicologist” for my recall of songs/bands/concerts and music trivia.
–I was part of the music scene in St. Louis simultaneously when Uncle Tupelo was getting its start there in the 1980’s. I performed at Ciceros, the same club where Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar performed many times as leaders of Uncle Tupelo. They were a big influence on the founding of “No Depression”, I’m told, and I can connect the dots for your readers. Hence, I’m still a big fan of both Wilco and Son Volt and have seen them live many times.
–I’ve seen John Prine and Richard Thompson live multiple times and know their music well.
–I can write passionately and articulately about music, particularly folk and Americana music.
–My B.A. is in English and I worked toward an M.A. in English/Creative Writing at University of Missouri. I once wrote a paper comparing and contrasting Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. I was a music journalist in high school and college, having written numerous album, CD and concert reviews.
–I would not let you down. My posts would be on-time, insightful, funny and articulate. I’m quite familiar with Lyons, CO and the Folks Festival, having had backstage passes twice there before, including last year. People are very comfortable talking with me about music and I’m able to put the “vibe” and the “feel” of a concert environment into words. It’s a gift I have and I’d love to share it with your readers.
–I have an original song on YouTube called “Charlie Sheen”. It’s pretty darn hilarious, clever and funny if I say so myself, and about 4,500 other people think so too, so far. It will give you a taste of my musical sensibilities and humor. It’s only 3:12. It’s on my website below, if you’d like to check it out. Thanks for your consideration.
My best,
Randy Ricks
