Richard Trice facts for kids

Richard Trice (born November 16, 1917 – died April 6, 2000) was an American blues musician. He was a talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Richard Trice released two songs during his career. He spent most of his life in North Carolina. There, he played a special kind of blues music. This style is often called Piedmont blues, East Coast blues, or country blues.

Early Life and Music

Richard Trice was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His family later moved to Raleigh around 1920.

Music was important in the Trice family. Richard learned to play the guitar when he was young. As a teenager, he played with his older brother, Willie Trice. They often performed at dances. In the 1930s, they formed a music duo. They played a type of blues that had a ragtime feel. This style was very popular in the Carolinas back then.

In 1933, the brothers met Blind Boy Fuller in Durham, North Carolina. Fuller was about ten years older than Richard. He became a big influence on Richard's music.

Recording His Music

Because of their friendship with Blind Boy Fuller, the Trice brothers got a chance to record. They went to New York in July 1937. They recorded for Decca Records.

Willie recorded two songs, with Richard playing guitar alongside him. These songs were "Come On in Here Mama" and "Let Her Go God Bless Her." Richard also recorded his own songs at the same time. These were "Come On Baby" and "Trembling Bed Springs Blues." However, his songs were not released right away.

In the 1940s, Richard Trice moved to Newark, New Jersey. In October 1946, he recorded two more songs for Savoy Records. He was called "Little Boy Fuller" for these recordings. The songs were "Shake Your Stuff" and "Lazy Bug Blues." He recorded more songs over the next six years, but they were never released to the public.

Later Years and Legacy

In the 1950s, Richard Trice moved back to North Carolina. He joined a gospel singing group. He continued to perform blues music at local gatherings. These included house parties and places where people gathered to listen to music. He played until the early 1960s.

Music historians interviewed Richard Trice in the 1970s. But he never played blues guitar again after that time.

A film called Shine On: Richard Trice and the Bull City Blues was released in 2000. This movie told the story of Richard Trice's life. It also showed the special blues music from his home region. The film featured music by Trice, Blind Boy Fuller, Reverend Gary Davis, John Dee Holeman, and Willie Trice. It received an award at the Columbus International Film & Video Festival in 2000.

Richard Trice passed away in April 2000. He was 82 years old. He was buried in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His brother Willie, who died in 1976, is buried next to him.