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Artist Information
Biography
Biography
Before I was born, my mother knew I’d be a musician, and bought a guitar so she could sing along. I started playing piano at the age of eight, but when my piano teacher taught me “Steamroller Blues” my classical training was over. Then I found guitar to be easier, and began playing in 1970 at the age of twelve, starting with the Eagles, James Taylor, Steve Miller Band, and the like. I learned some country and blues, and began playing in pubs and coffeehouses 25 years ago, and collecting great songs wherever I could find them.
When my family moved up north, I continued to develop as a songwriter and performer. I discovered folk music on the radio, and Irish music, learned at least a hundred of each, and began writing in those styles, too. I’ve got the right to sing ‘em, you know – I’m English, Irish, and Scotch mostly. European immigrants brought their music over, and it blended with other styles to become the rich cultural and musical heritage we now call our own.
Still, it was Pubs that continued to be my main gig, and so it was the old time rock and roll that sort of took over at first. But then I also played at nursing homes occasionally over the last ten years, and fell in love with some of those great old songs, too. I’d learn a whole book of other people’s songs, then write another one just like ‘em. All of these styles became part of the reflexive lexicon I could work from, and began to roll out naturally into a style of my own. If I had to give it a name, I’d call it “Original Americana”
I played in a bluegrass band for two summers in Pennsylvania, 20 years ago and still play some of those tunes.
I’d play in the pub, but the folk festivals and original showcases were where I wanted to be. So, I played what the people wanted to hear, but it was the real music I always liked best; music that people wrote from the heart.
My main claim to fame so far is that in the summer of 2004, I made the top 32 out of 600 in the song contest at the folk festival in Kerrville, Texas. Then I made the top 40 out of 1200 with that same winning song, “Up The Road From Tennessee!” at Mountain Stage competition in West Virginia.
This year I have some new songs I’m excited about, (check out “White Lightnin’” and “Cool Pappa Bell!”) and am in the process now of making a CD and also recording and producing several more, drawing from some of the best material I have written over the last twenty years. I am planning a tour to Nashville this summer, to be part of the Nashville Songwriter’s Festival and Open House on Music Row, and meet some of the good people down there. Keep an eye on the audio portion of this press kit, ‘cause I will update the tunes from here!
Instrumentation
Ryc ("Rick") Powers Ward, guitar, piano and vocals.
Discography
Human Radio
Rise Up Singing
Brothers And Sisters
Robin Hood Rides Again
Up The Road From Tennessee!
more to come . . .
Video
Press
Setlist
In festival and showcase settings, I play all original material that could best be described as original Americana. I grew up on cover tunes in the pub, and have a generous helping of them available if need be. I also entertain at nursing homes, and have developed a set for St. Patrick's Day as well. Here is a sample of the material I work from, beginning with the original tunes!
(Songs From The Road Less Travelled)
Oh! Jeannie!
Sugar Bear Blues
Huck Finn
Glory Road
Anthem
Two Of You
Song For Doug & Caroline
Bound To Keep On Walkin'
Windows & Doors
Song For World Peace
Love A Dream Enough
(Human Radio!)
Tale O' The Red Lion Inn
Dynamite Blues
Can You Hear It?
The Dance
I Wish That I Were Irish
Twice As Much
Bella Rosa De Mi Amor
The Sacred Earth Song
Dinosaur Bones
Different Shoes
Suit Guys
Millionaire Blues
A Living Valentine
The Levi Song
(Extra tunes)
Good Man Blues
Walk 100 Miles
The Cat Song
The Real John Henry
Angel's Tears
I Am The One
Messin' Around With Dynamite
We Can Live In Peace
(Robin Hood Rides Again)
Song Of The Auctioneer
Robin Hood
Lookin' For A Friend Of Mine
The "Hit" Song
Robin Hood Rides Again
Holy Blues II
If It Wasn't Glued On
Whenever I Call Your Name
Eye Of The Storm
Chains of Freedom
Drums of War
All Around The World
(Up The Road)
Up The Road (From Tennessee)
Train To Nashville
Futon Blues
I Always Will
One Delectable You
The Sweetest Song
Living In A Memory
The Love That I Am In
Thinkin' It Over
Head Over Heels
Credit Card Shuffle
From The Bottom Of My Heart
The Sound of America:
Where The Land Is Green
Duct Tape & Bondo
Talking Math Blues
I Can't Get Over You
Days of the Buffalo
You Might Be A Yankee . . .
Irish Pub Paint Song
Colorado River Blues
Rolling Home
Cool Pappa Bell
Pride of Our Nation
Last Good Cowboy
Sweet Tennessee
Long Way To Texas
Tennessee Legend (spoken word)
White Lightnin'
American As Baseball
Cool Papa Bell
And now for the covers . . .
Here is the current lineup in my pub set book, which is supplemented more and more by originals
:
New Pub Set List!!
Warmup Set
Danny’s Song Kenny Loggins
Lovin’ Cup Steve Miller
Rusty Old American Dream David Wilcox
Promised Land Chuck Berry
If You Ever Have Forever In Mind Vince Gill
Carolina In My Mind James Taylor
Oh, Shenandoah As sung by Trish Miller and John Kirk
Just The Way You Are Billy Joel
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight James Taylor
Georgia Ray Charles
I’m My Own Grandpa ?
Let’s Give a Party as sung by Steve Goodman
Every Living Thing Pierce Pettis
Make It Look Easy David Wilcox
Ain’t Misbehavin’ Fats Domino
We Ain’t Out of Love Yet Randy Travis
Jambalaya CCR
If I Had a Hammer PP&M
Down By the Riverside Traditional
Share Me With Texas Steve Gillette
Extra Country-Flavored Tunes
(if the pub is in a country mood)
Old Time Fiddle Vince Gill
Wabash Cannonball Roy Acuff Jr.
Land of the Navajo Bluegrass Artist
Charlie on the MTA Boston Trio
Levi Blues David Wilcox
Rocky Top ?
Days of the Buffalo Original
Longneck Bottle Garth Brooks
American as Baseball Original
Sweet Little Sixteen Chuck Berry
Livin’ In theUSA Chuck Berry
Tomorrow Is A Long Time Bob Dylan
Blow ‘Em Away David Wilcox
Southbound Allman Brothers
Last Good Cowboy Original
Monkey And the Engineer Grateful Dead
Dixie Chicken Little Feat
Casey Jones Grateful Dead
Things Left Undone Paul Thorn
Simple Man Lynyrd Skynrd
Tennessee Waltz Sam Cooke’s version
I’ll Take Texas Vince Gill
Dixieland Delight Alabama
Love, Me Colin Raye
Livin’ On Love Alan Jackson
Optional Easy Listening Set
(if it's a candlelight dinner)
Me & Julio Paul Simon
Michelle Beatles
She’s Got a Way Billy Joel
Wedding Song Paul Stookey
In My Life Beatles
I Should Have Known Better Beatles
Loves Me Like A Rock Paul Simon
Not Fade Away Grateful Dead
Don Quixote Gordon Lightfoot
Peace Train Cat Stevens
From a Distance Julie Gold
You’ve Got A Friend Carol King, as sung by JT
Only You The Platters
I’ve Just Seen a Face Beatles
New York State of Mind Billy Joel
The Boxer Paul Simon
Baby Driver Paul Simon
How Sweet It Is 2B Loved By YouJames Taylor
City of New Orleans Steve Goodman
Memphis Chuck Berry
Desperado Eagles
Finale!
(these songs definitely get played!)
Black Water Doobie Brothers
Proud Mary CCR
Don’t Stop Fleetwood Mac
Centerfield CCR
Maybellene Chuck Berry
Jet Airliner Steve Miller
Have You Ever Seen The Rain CCR
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison
You Send Me Sam Cooke
Six Days Upon The Road Taj Majal
Lodi CCR
Smuggler’s Blues Glen Frey
I Won’t Back Down Tom Petty
It’s Still Rock an’ Roll To Me Billy Joel
Shooting Star Bad Company?
Good Times Sam Cooke
Roll Over, Beethoven Beatles
Jailhouse Rock Elvis Presley
I Saw Her Standing There Beatles
And I Love Her Beatles
Old Time Rock An’ Roll Bob Seger
Having A Party Sam Cooke
You Never Can Tell Chuck Berry
Extra Tunes
(back of the book, selectively played)
Hunt the Hare Really Old Folk Song
Wandering James Taylor
Summertime Really Old Blues
House of the Rising Sun Eric Burdon
Jesus Done Lef’ Chicago ZZ Top
Leroy Brown Jim Croce
Key To the Highway Eric Clapton
Travelin’ Band CCR
Handy Man James Taylor version
Higher Love Steve Winwood
Big Yellow Taxi Joni Mitchell
Operator Jim Croce
Come and Get It 60’s pop group, but
Probably written by Paul McCartney
You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet Bachman Turner Overdrive
Twistin’ The Night Away Rod Steward version
Take The Money and Run Steve Miller
Glendale Train Flying Burrito Brothers
Takin’ Care of Business Randy Bachman
Sound of Silence Simon & Garfunkle
DownEaster Alexa Billy Joel
Piano Man Billy Joel
Some Kind O’ Wonderful Grand Funk Railroad
Life’s Been Good Joe Walsh
Hot Rod Heart New from John Fogerty!
Operator ?
American Pie Don MacLean
One Way Out Allman Brothers
Statesboro Blues Allman Brothers
Mustang Sally Bill Withers?
Come On Into My Kitchen Steve Miller version
Summer of 69 Bryan Adams
Seems Like a Long Time Bob Dylan
Stand By Me Ben E. King
Stuck On You Elvis Presley
La Bamba Richie Valens
Luck Of the Irish John Lennon
Blowin’ In The Wind Bob Dylan
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald Gordon Lightfoot
Father and Son Cat Stevens
Mexico James Taylor
Steamroller Blues James Taylor
Irish Set!
The Boston Burglar
Danny Boy
Star of the County Down
The Wild Rover
Erin's Green Shore
St. Brendan's Fair Isle
Paddy Works On The Railway
Don't Bother To Knock
Where Ye Go, Lassie Go
My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean
Sing, Irishmen Sing
Aloysius Patrick Joseph Michael John MacGee
All For Me Grog
Mush, Mush, Mush tooraliady
Quare Bungle Rye
The Blarney Stone
Red Is The Rose
I Wish That I Were Irish (Original)
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Black Velvet Band
Rose of Clare
The Barrel Song
Big Strong Man
The Limerick Rake
The Scotsman
Old Rose & Crown
Rose of Castlerea
Pretty Little Girl From Omagh
Where The Grass Grows the Greenest
Rambles of Spring
Whiskey In The Jar
Hunt The Hare
Unicorn Song
A Place In The Choir
The Ferryman
Old Rustic Bridge
My Irish Molly-O
Donegal Danny
and more . . .
Folk Music Tunes!
Let's Give A Party (Steve Goodman)
Ishmael "
If I Had A Hammer (PPM)
This Land Is Your Land (Woody Guthrie)
Blowin' In The Wind (Bob Dylan)
In The Land of the Navajo (Peter Rowan)
Rusty Old American Dream (David Wilcox)
Belfast To Boston (new James Taylor)
Every Living Thing (Pierce Pettis)
Little Piece At A Time (David Wilcox)
East Asheville Hardware "
Advertising Man "
Make It Look Easy "
May The Light (David [not Lee] Roth)
Love Is Our Cross To Bear (John Gorka)
Riverside "
Hard Love (Bob Franke)
Thanksgiving Song "
I Arose To Her Beauty "
The Great Storm Is Over "
I'll Be Gone (Rory Block)
Zip Cord Rip Code (David Roth)
Cheesecake "
Rose of Allendale (Trad. Irish)
The Garden Song (David Mallet)
Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rogers)
Shenandoah (Western folk)
Parting Glass (traditional Irish)
Dangerous Times (Chuck Brodsky)
I Like It Here (Alaskan songwriter)
White Squall (Stan Rogers?)
Coach (Jim Bizer)
Gonna Take My Son To Work (Jim Bizer)
. . . there's more . . .
Nursing Home Set!
(1 hr max)
Zip a Dee Doo Dah/You Are My Sunshine
Home On The Range
My Blue Heaven (Fats Domino)
Ain't Misbehavin' "
When The Saints Go Marchin' In
Bicycle Built For Two
Shine (Ry Cooder)
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
Blueberry Hill
Glory Of Love
Share Me With Texas (Steve Gillette)
Memory Lane (Original)
Hello, Dolly (Louis Armstrong)
We Ain't Out Of Love Yet (Randy Travis)
Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear From Me (Harry C. Jr.)
Honey Pie (Beatles)
Your Mother Should Know "
Rosie O'Grady (trad. Irish)
Naturally (Huey Lewis & The News' version)
What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Basin Street Blues (Harry C. Jr.'s version)
I'm My Own Grandpa
Walkin' My Baby Back Home
Georgia (Ray Charles)
You're Sixteen (Ringo Starr's version)
How Can I Keep From Singing
I Walk In The Garden
One Delectable You (Original)
Head Over Heels "
From The Bottom Of My Heart "
Accentuate The Positive (Harry Mercer)
Old Pub Set List
(You'll see some repetition here)
Recent Wedding Set List
How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
You've Got A Friend
Having A Party (Sam Cooke)
You Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry)
She's Got A Way (Billy Joel)
Love Song (Loggins & Messina)
Lovin' Cup (Steve Miller)
New York State Of Mind (Billy Joel)
Just The Way You Are "
Wonderful World (Sam Cooke)
Stand By Me (Ben King)
Good Times (Sam Cooke)
Heart Like A Wheel (Steve Miller)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
Here, There and Everywhere "
Is That The Way You Look? (James Taylor)
Everywhere I Go (Jackson Browne)
Summer of '69 (Bryan Adams)
It's Still Rock n' Roll To Me (Billy Joel)
Morning Has Broken (Cat Stevens)
How Can I Tell You "
Wedding Song (Paul Stookey)
Danny's Song (Kenny Loggins)
Naturally (Huey Lewis & The News)
From The Bottom of My Heart (Original)
Sample Pub Set List:
Me & Julio (Paul Simon)
Blow 'Em Away (David Wilcox)
Black Water (Doobie Brothers)
You Send Me (Sam Cooke)
One Morning In May (James Taylor)
Proud Mary (CCR)
Come On Into My Kitchen (Steve Miller)
Scarborough Fair (Simon & Garfunkle)
Basin Street Blues (?)
Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)
Take The Money & Run (Steve Miller)
Tennessee Waltz (Sam Cooke's version)
Old Time Rock an' Roll (Bob Seger)
American Pie (Don MacLean)
Oh, Donna (Richie Valens)
Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye (50's artist)
Roll Over, Beethoven
Jesus Done Lef' Chicago (ZZ Top)
Piano Man (Billy Joel)
Downeaster Alexa "
Steamroller Blues (James Taylor)
Wandering "
Uncle John's Band (Grateful Dead)
Casey Jones "
Leroy Brown (Jim Croce)
Operator "
Hotel California (Eagles)
Desperado "
Promised Land (JT's version of Chuck Berry)
The Gambler (Kenny Rogers)
Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
(Harry Connick Jr.)
Levi Blues (David Wilcox)
Statesboro Blues (Allman Brothers)
Millionaire Blues (Original)
Jet Airliner (Steve Miller)
Smuggler's Blues (Glenn Frey)
Dixie Chicken (Little Feat)
Copperhead Road (Steve Earle)
I Fought The Law (Somebody Old)
Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Lookin' Out My Back Door (CCR)
City Of New Orleans (Steve Goodman)
Wabash Cannonball (Roy Acuff Jr.)
Rocky Top (?)
Bed of Roses (Steve Gillette)
Pancho & Lefty (Willie Nelson)
Dance, Dance, Dance (Steve Miller)
Monkey & The Engineer (Grateful Dead)
Hot Rod Lincoln (Asleep At The Wheel)
Amie (Pure Prarie League)
Panama Red (New Riders of the Purple Sage)
Encore!
Not Fade Away (Grateful Dead version)
California Dreamin' (Mommas and the Poppas)
Under The Boardwalk (my version)
Kansas City (The Beatles, of course)
Mustang Sally (Bill Withers)
Don't Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
Shooting Star (Bad Company)
Some Kind of Wonderful (Grand Funk Railroad)
Georgia (Ray Charles)
Also available upon request:
Leader Of The Band (Dan Fogelberg)
Carolina In My Mind (James Taylor)
Sweet Baby James "
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight "
I Was A Fool To Care "
Sweet Potato Pie "
Father and Son (Cat Stevens)
Peace Train "
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkle)
The Boxer "
Saturday Night (The Eagles)
Tequila Sunrise "
Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffet)
Son Of A Sailor "
Volcano "
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot)
Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce)
Cat's In The Cradle (Harry ?)
Heart of Gold (Neil Young)
Needle & The Damage Done "
Daydream (Lovin' Spoonful)
That's What Friends Are For (Dionne Warwick)
The Rose (Bette Midler)
From A Distance (Bette Midler's version)
Candle In The Wind (Elton John)
Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones)
You Can't Always Get . . . "
Yesterday (The Beatles)
Revolution "
I've Just Seen A Face "
Let it Be
and many more . . .
Alice's Restaurant Entire Massacre (Arlo Guthrie)
