Rick Shea cut his teeth in the bars and honky-tonks of San Bernardino where he grew up. He’s since gone on to build a solid career for himself as a solo artist, singer, guitarist and songwriter. Shea is equally at home with an acoustic guitar and a set of ballads and stories, or with his worn old Telecaster burning through a set of his own songs and a few honky-tonk standards. With nine critically acclaimed albums he’s performed all over Southern California, the West Coast and across the country.
His songs reflect the folk, country, rock and Mexican influences he grew up with. As a songwriter Shea lets the songs find their own settings. “Starting out you might be hearing a song one way and then when its done realize it’s about something else altogether.” And on his songwriting influences Shea says, “When I was younger Merle Haggard cast a long shadow, but since then Dave Alvin, Jim Ringer and a lot of other music has found its way in.”
Rick’s latest album Sweet Bernardine, his ninth, is a collection of his own stories and stories of California and beyond. From the train journey he took as a brokenhearted young man in “Mexicali Train” to the harrowing tale of his great grandfather’s time in Civil war prisoner camps in “John Shea from Kenmare”, Shea’s songs resonate deeply.
Recently Rick has toured Texas, New England, Ireland, the U.K. and Hawaii. “Playing live shows is what I’ve always done, from the bars, honky-tonks and coffeehouses I started in to the shows I do now. It’s a chance for me to meet people and see them connect with the songs, that’s really what it’s all about.”
If your tastes run toward hard working, literate, back 40 folkies like Tom Russell, Chuck Pyle, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and others like that, Shea is sure to be another that you’re going to dig. With a very personal edge to his writing and singing, this is classic folkie/troubadour stuff that cuts right to the chase and delivers moves that others can only turn into clichés. Check it out, it’s the real deal. – Chris Spector Midwest Record
a hauntingly nostalgic vocalist, imperative guitarist and literate, detail-rich songwriter, do yourself a favor.
– Gary von Tersch, Sing Out
Show Details
Thu, November 2, 2017, 8:00pm
Tickets: $20
Doors open half an hour before show time.