Slim Richey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Slim Richey
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| Birth name | David Michael Richey |
| Also known as | Slim Richey |
| Born | February 11, 1938 Atlanta, Texas |
| Died | May 31, 2015 (aged 77) Austin, Texas |
| Genres | Western swing |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, record label owner |
| Instruments | Guitar, fiddle |
| Years active | 1960–2015 |
| Labels | Ridge Runner, Tex-Grass |
| Associated acts | Kat Edmonson, Jazz Pharaohs, Jitterbug Vipers |
David Michael Richey (born February 11, 1938 – died May 31, 2015), known as Slim Richey, was a talented American musician. He played jazz guitar and fiddle, led bands, and even owned a record company. Slim Richey was famous for his unique blend of jazz and country music, especially a style called Western swing.
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Early Life and Music
Slim Richey was born in Atlanta, Texas. From a young age, he loved jazz music. He even started his own swing band while still in high school!
He went to college at the University of Oklahoma. There, he learned from a great teacher named Benny Garcia. Slim Richey also studied the guitar styles of famous jazz players like Hank Garland, Barney Kessel, and Wes Montgomery.
Music Business Adventures
In the 1970s and 1980s, Slim Richey ran a company called Warehouse Music. This company sold many different musical instruments and equipment. They even sold some folk instruments under Slim's own Ridge Runner brand.
His company also helped musicians learn. They sold special machines that could slow down recorded music. This made it easier for people to write down the notes and learn songs.
Ridge Runner Records
Slim Richey also started several record labels. The most well-known was Ridge Runner Records. This label focused on acoustic music, mostly from Texas and Oklahoma.
Ridge Runner Records helped launch the careers of many important musicians. Some of these included Sam Bush, Alan Munde, Marty Stuart, and Roland White. Their early recordings are still studied by musicians today!
The "Jazz Grass" Album
In 1977, Slim Richey recorded a special album called "Jazz Grass." On this album, bluegrass musicians tried playing more complex jazz music. Slim Richey played guitar on the album.
Other talented musicians joined him, including Alan Munde and Bill Keith on banjo. Richard Greene and Ricky Skaggs played fiddle. The album featured jazz songs like Stompin' at the Savoy and A Night in Tunisia, along with Slim's own songs.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1992, Slim Richey moved to Driftwood, Texas, near Austin. He became a very important part of the local music scene for over 20 years. You could often find him playing at popular events like the Old Settler's Music Festival and the Kerrville Folk Festival. He also performed at the Django Reinhardt Festival with his band, Slim Richey's Stray Gypsies.
Slim Richey was known for helping young musicians in Austin. One example is Kat Edmonson, who was only 22 when she met him in 2005. He encouraged many new artists.
In 2012, Slim Richey was in an accident but recovered. He even sold a T-shirt that said, "Takes a lickin' and keeps on pickin'," showing his positive spirit!
In 2014, Slim Richey and his band, the Jitterbug Vipers, were featured on Michael Feinstein's radio show, "Song Travels." That same year, he won the award for Best Electric Guitarist at the Austin Music Awards.
Death
Slim Richey passed away on May 31, 2015, from lymphoma. He died in Dripping Springs, Texas, which is close to Austin, Texas.
See also
- Music of Austin
- Old Settler's Music Festival
- South Padre International Music Festival
