Album Notes

Gary Ritchey was born in the 60's in Garland Texas. He came from a musical family and began singing at 4 years old for his grandfather’s friends at the town square every summer in Madill Oklahoma when he visited there. His uncle, Walter Pitts, played guitar for Sonny James and introduced Gary to the guitar and taught him his first lick as a young child. “I was hooked from that moment on,” says Ritchey.

Another defining moment occured during a family vacation to Red River, New Mexico when Gary was 7. “This is a memory I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Our family had this really cool jeep driver, Ray, who took us up into the mountains one day. Later that night we went to hear this jeep driver, who also happened to be a singer/songwriter, perform with his group “Three Faces West”. I had no idea that my first taste of the music that I would eventually write was none other than the legendary Ray Wylie Hubbard!” says Ritchey.

Gary began singing in churches as a teen and released his first Gospel Rock recording in 1984. He followed with 6 more recordings over the next 17 years.

Gary’s latest recording, and his first foray into Texas Country Music, is a powerful sound that was honed out over many years of writing and live performances. “I think this is the most mature recording I have ever released. This is more authentically “me” from the beginning to the end.” Gary’s new CD harnesses the musicianship, production, and engineering talents of Spence Peppard; of Nacogdoches, Texas; as well as the writing talents of Robert “BlindDog” Cook of Marshall, Texas. The combination proved to be the magic behind this project.

Peppard speaks about Gary’s vocal ability “His voice is powerful, so powerful, he can kill a yak from 200 yards away…and I mean that in a good way.”

When asked about Spence’s comment Gary simply stated “Yaks tremble at the sound of my name…and I mean that in a bad way.”

On his decision not to self produce this CD Ritchey said, “Spence Peppard was my first choice as a producer. This CD is better because of his contributions and because I did what I do best and let others do what they do best. It worked.”

The maturity and diversity of this project starts with the song “Drinking in Texas” a true story of the time when Gary attempted to order a fully dressed Dos XX in the Midwest. It runs the gamut of funny tongue-in-cheek story lines about divorce and inflation in “One More Nickel” to the hard-hitting self explanatory “Remember My Name”.

COMMENTS

Chris Taylor of “Chris Taylor and the Bleeding Hearts” said of the title cut “Knock on Wood” “This song has that infectious groove!”

Bart Mallard of the award winning band “Mercy Me” said “Thanks for the CD. I’ll listen to it.”

Nine-time UFC champion Matt Hughes says “Buy Gary’s CD or I’ll have to kick your butt!”



We are looking forward to putting more comments here as soon as some people hear the finished product.

If you are a famous big shot, semi-pro mud wrestler, or other person of great acclaim please send us your comments! Gary needs all the help he can get!

:)