SUMMARY OF THE MUSICAL BACKGROUND AND TALENTS OF “ROCKIN’ RICKY”

Ricky has been involved in music in one form or another since the age of 10. At that time he began playing the saxophone, which he played all through his school years. At the age of 12 he started playing the guitar. At 14, he had his first paying job as an entertainer with a group he organized called “Rick and the The Shadows.” Their first performance was for their Junior High School talent show, then they performed for a pool party held at a Townhouse complex in Lakewood, Colorado. At the age of 16 he and his father played together professionally with a group called the “Goldridge Band,” “Country Countdown Band,” and a group called “Hired Help” in the Denver area for a period of 3 years. During this time they had written several original songs that have gone over well with the public. Rick also performed his talents in his high school dance and show choir called “Columbine Blue.” They performed at various church functions, private parties, playhouses, malls and could also be heard on the radio at Christmas time. He even played in his high school marching band and jazz band that performed at the Hockey games in Denver, Colorado.

At the age of 19, he moved to Binghamton, New York, and played around the upstate area for a period of 4 years. During this time, he played with several variety groups, such as the “Sounds Of Memphis Band,” who played at the Endicott Eagles Club every Saturday Night for several years. Also he performed in a 50s and 60s Rock “N” Roll show group called “Rick Royal and the Blue Shadows.” They enjoyed playing many of the exclusive clubs and restaurants of the area as well as playing several high school reunions.

Ricky eventually moved out to Tucson, Arizona. At that time he played and worked with several different country groups in the Tucson area for a period of 3 years, including the “Dakota Band,” “Rodeo” and “The John Hawk Band,” who had a talent agency of the area and a C.D. called “Bendin' The Fence.” Wanting to live closer to most of his family and the city where he was born, Ricky decided to move back to Binghamton, N.Y. He then joined with the group “King Curtis And The Corvettes,” which he played with until 1994. They enjoyed playing many of the exclusive clubs, bars and restaurants of the area such as O’Brien’s Inn, Guthrie Inn, Chestnut Inn, Cathedral Farms Restaurant and the Treadway Inn, etc. They also performed at various functions such as weddings, private parties, New Years and field day events. In 1994 Rick quit playing in bands for a few years, but enjoyed performing on special occasions such as winning $500.00 in a karaoke contest and singing for various wedding ceremonies. Rick also performed his “Elvis” impersonation at Price Chopper Supermarkets for their “King Can” sale promotions in May 2001. Since that time he had a reunion with the “Sounds Of Memphis Band,” playing New Years Eve, and also performing at a few clubs in the area from January to July 2002. Ricky now has a group of which he has organized called “Ricky and the Blue Shadows” which is a 50s and 60s, 80’s Rock-A-Billy and Rock “N” Roll show. The area’s ultimate tribute to rock n' roll and rock-a-billy bands from the 50's & 60's! They have been performing together as a group since October of 2002 and had performed mostly at the local Bowling Alley’s of the area for their Saturday night “Rock ’N Bowls” including, the Brandywine Bowl, “Planet Rock” Midway Lanes and Sunset Lanes “Thunder~Alley” on a regular basis. The group has played for several birthday and private parties as well as performing for the Johnson City Class of 1965 reunion over the summer of 2005. They also have performed on occasion for Jonathan’s Restaurant, Topper Eatery & Saloon, Winnie’s Dance Ranch, Barnaby's Pub, the Owego Treadway, Mcgirks Irish Pub, and the Touch of Texas for their Cool-100 oldies radio night.

Although Ricky has his own unique style, he also portrays and excels vocally in Buddy Holly, Gene Pitney, Elvis, Bobby Vee, Ricky Nelson, Dion, Brian Setzer “Stray Cats” and more! Rick can also provide excellent harmony. Through his experience, Rick has learned what it means to be professional both on and off stage. Whether it be in a major showroom in a leading hotel, restaurant, or local club, the winning showmanship and talent of Rockin' Ricky will guarantee to capture an audience as well as be an asset to any club or band.

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Denny "Lead Guitar King" Avery	Rich J	Bop Baby!
(click any image above to enlarge More pics in the Photo Album)

Denny - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Denny Dennis is from Binghamton New York. He has been involved with guitar and music most of his life. He attended "Ithaca College" of which he studied music theory and various music subjects. Denny has many years of stage experience with various groups and has played many types of music styles including jazz, disco, rock, 50's and 60's, and country. Denny was a p/t guitar instructor for a music store as well. Through most of the 1980's, Denny played lead guitar for the "Sounds of Memphis" band which used to play every Saturday night at the "Eagles Club" located in Endicott. After that he played lead guitar for the group "Four O'Clock Collection" up through about 1993.under construction..

Rich - Drums, Percussion

Rich is from Middletown, New York. Rich has had 25 years of stage experiences which has given him the ability to handle any stage set. His heart and soul is on the stage. Rich attended the "Berkley School of Music" which he studied music theory and percussion. This started his professional career in music. He has been involved with many different kinds of groups and stage settings including classic rock, disco, jazz show group, and performed songs from various Broadway road shows which included choreographed dancers as well. Rich recorded with a group named "Trigger" for Casablanca Records and even performed his unique drum talents in a group which backed Rich Wilson, an "Elvis" impersonation performer....

Dave - Keyboard, Backing Vocals,

Dave is from Binghamton, New York. He is a regular member of the Blue Shadows group that plays on some of the groups bigger club venues when available. Dave has many years of stage experience and has played with various local groups of the Binghamton area, past and present, like the Sounds of Memphis Band, Lewis Cook Band, Hurricanes, Masterpiece, and Just Cause. He has played many types of music styles including jazz, disco, classic-rock, 50's and 60's, and country. Dave even had the opportunity to back the "Belmonts" when they performed for Cool-100 radio's holiday party at the Touch of Texas last December of 2003...under construction..

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Here is a music sampling from the "Blue Shadows" Repertoire: - 50's~60's

Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Conway Twitty, Frankie Ford, Dion & the Belmonts, The Drifters, Chubby Checker, Joey Dee & the Starlighters, The McCoys, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Wilson Picket, Jerry Lee Lewis, Richie Valens, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Bobby Vee, Gene Pitney, Ben E. King, The Everly Brothers, Johnny Rivers, Tommy James & Shondells, The Safaris, Sam-the Sham & the Pharaoes, Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Contours, Sam Cooke, Shadows of the Night, Del Shannon, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley & the Comets, Frankie Lymon, Booker 'T' MG'S, The Ventures, Rascals, Diamonds, Kingsmen, Righteous Brothers, Jay Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, The Trogg's, Bobby Day, The Clovers, Wilbur Harrison, The Crests, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, The Outsiders, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Penguins, Otis Day and the Knights, and more!

Songs from the 70's-80's: Jim Croce, Rolling Stones, Bachman Turner Overdrive (B.T.O.,) Bob Segar, Ringo Starr, Dire Straits, Tommy Tutone, John Cougar Mellencamp, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Brian Setzer & Stray Cats, The Blasters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Santana, Jimmy Buffet, Lionel Richie, Kentucky Headhunters, Eddie Rabbit, and more...

"By Special Request" Classic Country and Polkas: Ray Price, Farron Young, Patsy Cline, Charly McClain, Eddie Rabbit, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dwight Yokam, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Hank Williams, Mel McDaniel, Rodney Crowell, Lee Greenwood, Waylon, Vince Gill, Johnny Lee, Ronnie Milssap, Brooks & Dunn, Clint Black, and more...

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Ricky and the Blue Shadows
"Live" Boogie Band!
50's~80's Rock-a-Billy and Rock N' Roll Show!