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Rickie Simpkins is an American fiddler and mandolinist in the bluegrass tradition. He is best known for his solo albums and his work with the Lonesome River Band and the Seldom Scene.[1]

Rickie Simpkins
Performing at MerleFest in 2009
Background information
Born (1955-03-10) March 10, 1955 (age 67)
Montgomery County, Virginia
GenresBluegrass music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsViolin, mandolin
Years active1979–present
LabelsPinecastle, Doobie Shea

Biography


With Emmylou Harris and Phil Madeira, 2008
With Emmylou Harris and Phil Madeira, 2008

Early years


Simpkins was raised in Christiansburg, Virginia, southwest of Roanoke. He learned fiddle at age six and played in a show with Flatt and Scruggs at age nine. Simpkins also learned banjo and guitar at a young age.[2] Simpkins and his brother Ronnie played in a family group, and eventually joined the bluegrass band Upland Express, releasing an album on Leather Records in 1979. Other members included his brother Ronnie (bass), Ken Farmer (guitar), Barry Collins (banjo), and Tonya Gibson (mandolin).[3]


McPeak Brothers


When he graduated from high school, Simpkins joined the McPeak Brothers as a full-time member, and continued with them into the early 1980s. Members were Simpkins (mandolin, fiddle), Mike McPeak (guitar), Dewey McPeak (banjo), Jim Buchanan (fiddle), Phil Gazell (harmonica), Jerry Douglas (resonator guitar), and Larry McPeak (bass).[4]


Virginia Squires


In 1981, Simpkins joined the band Heights of Grass, which evolved into the Virginia Squires. Members included Rickie Simpkins (fiddle, mandolin), his brother Ronnie Simpkins (bass), Sammy Shelor (guitar, banjo), and Mark Newton (guitar). 1984, they were voted Bluegrass Band of the Year by the Country Music Association of Virginia. They broke up in 1989, but in 2016 and 2017 got together for reunion shows.[5][6]


Tony Rice Unit


Simpkins joined the Tony Rice Unit in 1983, who combined traditional bluegrass and jazz. Besides Rice and Simpkins, other members included Jimmy Gaudreau (mandolin), Wyatt Rice (guitar), and Ronnie Simpkins (bass).[7] Simpkins also played in Tony's brother Wyatt Rice's band.[8] Simpkins joined David Parmley, Scott Vestal and Continental Divide to record the album "Feel Good Day.[9]


Lonesome River Band


In 2000, Simpkins joined the Lonesome River Band[10][11] and in 2001, joined gospel group the Isaacs,[12][13] splitting his time between the two ensembles. In 2002, Simpkins toured with the Gaithers and in 2007, Simpkins also began touring with Emmylou Harris and her Red Dirt Boys.[14][15]


The Seldom Scene


Simpkins joined the Seldom Scene in January 2016 when Ben Eldridge retired from the band.[16] Other members of the band include Lou Reid (mandolin, guitar), Dudley Connell (guitar), Ronnie Simpkins (bass), and Fred Travers (resonator guitar).[17] Simpkims left the Seldom Scene in 2017, and was replaced by Ron Stewart.[18]


Solo recordings


Simpkins released his solo album Dancing on the Fingerboard in 1997 on the Pinecastle Records label. He played fiddle and mandolin, and sang lead vocals, and wrote several of the songs. Dancing on the Fingerboard was nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Instrumental Recording of the Year award.

Simpkins released his Don't Fret It album in 2002 on Doobie Shea. Guests included Wyatt Rice, Dan Tyminski, Ronnie Bowman, Tony Rice, Randy Kohrs, Ronnie Simpkins, Wendy Newcomer, and Ernie Thacker.[19]


Awards


In 2008, Simpkins (along with his brother Ronnie) was inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame.[20]


Discography



Solo recordings



With the McPeak Brothers



With Upland Express



With Heights of Grass



With the Virginia Squires



With The Lonesome River Band



With David Parmley and Continental Divide



With Tony Rice



With The Isaacs



With the Seldom Scene



Also appears on



References


  1. Beisswenger, Drew (May 31, 2011). North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide. ISBN 9781135847234. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  2. Laurence Baer. "Previous Works". laurencebaer.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  3. "Upland Express "Upland Express"". Slipcue. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  4. Roy Streever (December 21, 2011). "The McPeak Brothers: Yesteryears". Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  5. Richard Thompson (September 20, 2016). "The Virginia Squires get together once more". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  6. Rob Hedelt (May 16, 2017). "Celebrating 25 years of bringing music to Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison". fredericksburg.com. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  7. Allen Price. "Unit of Measure: Tony Rice Unit". Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  8. Erlewine, Michael (1997). All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music. ISBN 9780879304751. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  9. Roy Kasten. "Continental Divide: Feel Good Day". Country Standard Time. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  10. Allen Price. "Talkin' To Myself: Lonesome River Band". Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. Geoff Bowers (September 21, 2000). "The Lonesome River Band in Europe July 2000". North West Bluegrass News. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  12. John Terlesky (June 8, 2002). "The Isaacs continue to spread bluegrass gospel along a twisting road". The Morning Call. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  13. "Biography: Joe Isaacs". Oldies.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  14. Andrew Dowdall (September 16, 2008). "Emmylou Harris – Hammersmith Apollo, London 14/09/08". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  15. Chris Gray (June 23, 2011). "Last Night: Emmylou Harris At Verizon Wireless Theater". Houston Press. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  16. "Ben Eldridge Retires From The Seldom Scene, Rickie Simpkins Joins The Band". Cybergrass. January 16, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  17. Holly Kozelsky (March 7, 2017). "Bluegrass legends set to take the stage at Rives". Martinsville Bulletin. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  18. David Morris (November 13, 2017). "Ron Stewart lands with Seldom Scene". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  19. Joe Ross (August 24, 2008). "Don't Fret it - Rickie Simpkins". California Bluegrass Association. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  20. "Hall of Fame". Virginia Folk Music Association. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  21. "Cold Sheets Of Rain: Virginia Squires". Bluegrass on the Tube. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  22. Jon Weisberger (February 28, 2001). "Tony Rice Unit - Unit Of Measure". No Depression. Retrieved September 23, 2017.




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