Music is the fatback in the collard greens of life.
Music has been an instrumental (no pun intended) part of my life and always will be. I have posted some music on this site and I hope you like it. You are welcome to any and all of it (however, I do have copyrights on this stuff). I have also included a bunch of band and music websites for your entertainment. If you have one that is cool and would like to share it, please let me know at michaelr@usca.edu. If you play, keep on playing.
Click Here to Listen to some Tunes (just click once).
These are some of my favorite music and band sites.
The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers are my all time favorite band. Just about every guitar player from my generation learned how to jam by listening to "Live at the Fillmore East". These guys still rock. I make it a point to see them at least once a year. I had the magical experience of seeing them at the Fox theatre in Atlanta a couple of years ago. It was an emotional night.
Grateful Dead - How can you have a music page and not include the Dead. They literally invented the term "Hippie". The Dead went, and still go, where no musician has gone before. Thanks for letting us know that there are NO boundaries when it comes to music.
Government Mule - Warren Haynes is an incredible guitarist. He plays with his band Government Mule, and also with The Allman Brothers and the Greatful Dead, in addition to a bazzillion other projects. Haynes' guitar playing has the ability to communicate emotion unlike any other.
Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young - These guys are the sound of the late 60s. When I listen to them, it is 1969 and I am in Junior High School all over again. If you ever get a chance to see them, you owe it to yourself to do so.
Dixie Dregs - Steve Morse is, without doubt, one of the greatest guitar players to have ever played. Don't take my word for it. Check out Guitar Player's Hall of Fame or talk to any guitar player worth his salt. Steve now plays with Deep Purple in addition to his tours with the Dixie Dregs. Steve is from Augusta, went to high school there, and some of us were lucky enough to have seen him at the Georgia Moon or the Whippin Post or the Glass Onion back in the day.
Oteil and the Peacemakers - Oteil Burbridge is the bass player for the Allman Brothers and is unbelievable. His band Oteil and the Peacemakers play when the Brothers aren't in session. If you get a chance, you need to check out their live show - you won't believe what you see.
Ritchie Brothers Band - My brother Scott and I started this band back in the mid-eighties. It still exists in some form or another. Scott is one of the best blues singers on the planet, in my humble opinion (and I am always right). My three sons, Michael, Thomas, and Joseph are now members of the band along with Uncle Pat McNamara. So it really is the Ritchie Brothers Band. Check out some of our music on the player above.
Click Here to Listen to some Tunes (just click once).
Alfonzo Dog - I cut my teeth on the 3-piece power trio, Cream, Mountain, Hendrix - you get the picture. This is my attempt at continuing that vibe. The band is in flux right now, personnel changes, etc., but soon the Dog will be running again. Check out some of Alfonzo Dog's music on the player above.
Click Here to Listen to some Tunes (just click once).
The Coppertones - One of the best Beach Music bands around. Featuring Larry (Sugarbritches) Williams, a dear friend and a great musician/songwriter. If you like the Beach sound, these guys are for you.
Impulse Ride - Bill Irwin started this band a million years ago and it still rocks. You want to see the best guitar player in the world, go see these these guys.
Dispatch - These guys should be on a tour bus. Rockin' the classics, these dudes wail. Jeff Mastromonico holds down the bottom end like nobody's business.