Rickie Simpkins
{{short description|American singer-songwriter}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Rickie Simpkins
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Simpkins-fls.jpg
| caption = Performing at MerleFest in 2009
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|03|10}}
| birth_place = Montgomery County, Virginia
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| genre = Bluegrass music
| occupation = Musician
| instrument = Violin, mandolin
| years_active = 1979–present
| label = Pinecastle, Doobie Shea
| associated_acts = Tony Rice Unit, Continental Divide, Lonesome River Band
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Rickie Hal Simpkins{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/902729319 |title=CHESTNUT RIDGE |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=March 17, 2023}} 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.{{cite book |last=Beisswenger|first=Drew|date=May 31, 2011|title=North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide|publisher=Routledge |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IAiRAgAAQBAJ&q=rickie+simpkins+virginia+squires|access-date=September 22, 2017|isbn=9781135847234}}
Biography
File:EmmylouHarris PhilMadiera 2008.jpg 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.{{cite web |url=http://laurencebaer.com/home/index.php/previous-works/|title=Previous Works|work=laurencebaer.com
|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Laurence Baer}} 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).{{cite web |url=https://www.slipcue.com/music/country/countrystyles/bluegrass/U_01.html
|title=Upland Express "Upland Express"|work=Slipcue|access-date=September 23, 2017}}
=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).{{cite web |url=http://www.hvbluegrass.org/articles/reviews/570-the-mcpeak-brothers-yesteryears.html|title=The McPeak Brothers: Yesteryears
|work=Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Roy Streever|date=December 21, 2011}}
=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.{{cite web |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/the-virginia-squires-get-together-once-more/|title=The Virginia Squires get together once more|work=Bluegrass Today|access-date=September 22, 2017|author=Richard Thompson|date=September 20, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/columns/celebrating-years-of-bringing-music-to-graves-mountain-lodge-in/article_f1e2cbc3-ec23-5f11-ad3d-12860061d766.html
|title=Celebrating 25 years of bringing music to Graves Mountain Lodge in Madison|work=fredericksburg.com|access-date=September 22, 2017|author=Rob Hedelt|date=May 16, 2017}}
=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).{{cite web |url=http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p01660.htm|title=Unit of Measure: Tony Rice Unit|work=Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Allen Price}} Simpkins also played in Tony's brother Wyatt Rice's band.{{cite book
|last=Erlewine|first=Michael|date=1997|title=All Music Guide to Country: The Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Mo7xm-X1r4C|access-date=September 23, 2017|isbn=9780879304751}} Simpkins joined David Parmley, Scott Vestal and Continental Divide to record the album "Feel Good Day''.{{cite web |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=607|title=Continental Divide: Feel Good Day|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Roy Kasten}}
=Lonesome River Band=
In 2000, Simpkins joined the Lonesome River Band{{cite web |title=Talkin' To Myself: Lonesome River Band|work=Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange|author=Allen Price}}{{cite web |url=http://www.g4uxd.talktalk.net/nwbn/nl-00-09/lrb.htm|title=The Lonesome River Band in Europe July 2000|work=North West Bluegrass News|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Geoff Bowers|date=September 21, 2000}} and in 2001, joined gospel group the Isaacs,{{cite web |url=https://www.mcall.com/2002/06/08/the-isaacs-continue-to-spread-bluegrass-gospel-along-a-twisting-road/|title=The Isaacs continue to spread bluegrass gospel along a twisting road|work=The Morning Call|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=John Terlesky|date=June 8, 2002}}{{cite web |url=https://www.oldies.com/artist-products/Joe-Isaacs.html|title=Biography: Joe Isaacs|work=Oldies.com|access-date=September 23, 2017}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/live-reviews/emmylou-harris-hammersmith-apollo-london-140908-7192|title=Emmylou Harris – Hammersmith Apollo, London 14/09/08|work=The Line of Best Fit|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Andrew Dowdall|date=September 16, 2008}}{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/last-night-emmylou-harris-at-verizon-wireless-theater-6499481|title=Last Night: Emmylou Harris At Verizon Wireless Theater|work=Houston Press|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Chris Gray|date=June 23, 2011}}
=The Seldom Scene=
Simpkins joined the Seldom Scene in January 2016 when Ben Eldridge retired from the band.{{cite web |url=https://www.cybergrass.com/node/5070#sthash.JP8glaQ9.dpbs|title=Ben Eldridge Retires From The Seldom Scene, Rickie Simpkins Joins The Band|work=Cybergrass|access-date=September 21, 2017|date=January 16, 2016}} Other members of the band include Lou Reid (mandolin, guitar), Dudley Connell (guitar), Ronnie Simpkins (bass), and Fred Travers (resonator guitar).{{cite web |url=http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/news/bluegrass-legends-set-to-take-the-stage-at-rives/article_4600dbac-9aef-5126-b082-b9c7be21871a.html|title=Bluegrass legends set to take the stage at Rives|work=Martinsville Bulletin|access-date=September 21, 2017|author=Holly Kozelsky|date=March 7, 2017}} Simpkins left the Seldom Scene in 2017, and was replaced by Ron Stewart.{{cite web |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/ron-stewart-lands-with-seldom-scene/|title=Ron Stewart lands with Seldom Scene|work=Bluegrass Today|access-date=November 14, 2017|author=David Morris|date=November 13, 2017}}
=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.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbaontheweb.org/reviews_read2.asp?messageID=1339|title=Don't Fret it - Rickie Simpkins|work=California Bluegrass Association|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Joe Ross|date=August 24, 2008}}
=Awards=
In 2008, Simpkins (along with his brother Ronnie) was inducted into the Virginia Folk Music Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=https://www.virginiafolkmusic.org/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame|work=Virginia Folk Music Association|access-date=September 23, 2017}}
Discography
=Solo recordings=
- 1981 Galax 46th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention "Jerusalem Ridge" 5th place Bluegrass Fiddle (Heritage Records)
- 1997: Dancing on the Fingerboard (Pinecastle)
- 2002: Don't Fret It (Doobie Shea)
=With the McPeak Brothers=
- 1978: Bend in the River (County)
=With Upland Express=
- 1979: Upland Express (Leather LBG 7709)
=With Heights of Grass=
- 1982: Live at the Flatrock! (self-released)
=With the Virginia Squires=
- 1984: Bluegrass With a Touch of Class (self-released)
- 1985: I'm Working My Way (Rebel)
- 1985: Mountains And Memories (Rebel)
- 1986: Hard Times & Heartaches (Rebel)
- 1988: Variations (Rebel)
- 1998: Best of Virginia Squires (Rebel){{cite web |url=http://www.bluegrassonthetube.com/page2816.html|title=Cold Sheets Of Rain: Virginia Squires|work=Bluegrass on the Tube|access-date=September 22, 2017}}
=With The Lonesome River Band=
- 1994: Old Country Town (Sugar Hill)
- 2000: Talkin' to Myself (Sugar Hill)
=With [[David Parmley]] and Continental Divide=
- 1998: Feel Good Day (Pinecastle)
=With [[Tony Rice]]=
- 1996: Tony Rice Sings Gordon Lightfoot (Rounder)
- 2000: Unit of Measure (Rounder){{cite web |url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/tony-rice-unit-unit-measure|title=Tony Rice Unit - Unit Of Measure|work=No Depression|access-date=September 23, 2017|author=Jon Weisberger|date=February 28, 2001}}
- 2003: 58957:The Bluegrass Guitar Collection (Rounder)
=With [[The Isaacs]]=
- 2002: Eye of the Storm (Horizon)
=With [[the Seldom Scene]]=
=Also appears on=
- 1981 Galax 46th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention "Jerusalem Ridge" 5th place Bluegrass Fiddle (Heritage Records)
- 1984: Virginia Rail - No Train Song (MRC)
- 1987: Larry Rice - Time Machine (Rebel)
- 1988: Larry Stephenson - Everytime I Sing a Love Song (Webco)
- 1989: Mary Chapin Carpenter - State of the Heart (Columbia)
- 1989: Mike Auldridge - Treasures Untold (Sugar Hill)
- 1989: Wyatt Rice - New Market Gap (Rounder)
- 1989: The Rice Brothers: The Rice Brothers (Rounder)
- 1989: Bill Emerson and Pete Goble - Dixie in My Eye (Webco)
- 1989: Chris Warner - Chris Warner and Friends (Webco)
- 1990: The Bluegrass Band - Second Cut (Hip Hop Helps)
- 1990: Bill Emerson - Gold Plated Banjo (Rebel)
- 1990: Larry Rice - Artesia (Rebel)
- 1990: The Spencers - It'll Be Worth It After All (Skylite)
- 1991: Bill Emerson - Reunion (Pinecastle / Webco)
- 1991: Lou Reid - When It Rains (Sugar Hill)
- 1991: Larry Stephenson - Can't Stop Myself (Pinecastle / Webco)
- 1992: Jim Eanes - Classic Bluegrass (Rebel)
- 1993: Beaver Creek - Having a Wonderful Time (Pinecastle)
- 1994: Ronnie Bowman - Cold Virginia Night (Rebel)
- 1994: Emerson and Taylor - Appaloosa (Webco)
- 1995: Ralph Stanley and Joe Isaacs - Gospel Gathering (Freeland)
- 1996: Bill Emerson - Banjo Man (Pinecastle / Webco)
- 1996: Exit Thirteen - Wind on My Back (Freeland)
- 1996: Larry Rice - Notions and Novelties (Rebel)
- 1996: Wyatt Rice - Picture in a Tear (Rounder)
- 1996: Charlie Sizemore - In My View (Rebel)
- 1996: Larry Stephenson - I See God (Pinecastle / Webco)
- 1997: Eddie from Ohio - Big Noise (Virginia Soul)
- 1997: Kazuaki Miyazaki - Man-O-Mandolin (Red Clay)
- 1997: Rice, Rice, Hillman, and Pedersen - Out of the Woodwork (Rounder)
- 1997: various artists - Bluegrass '97 (Pinecastle)
- 1998: Emerson and Newton - A Foot in the Past, A Foot in the Future (Pinecastle)
- 1998: Don Rigsby - Vision (Sugar Hill)
- 1998: Mark Newton - Living a Dream (Rebel)
- 1999: Phil Leadbetter - Philibuster (Rounder)
- 1999: Rice, Rice, Hillman, and Pedersen - Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen (Rounder)
- 1999: various artists - Bluegrass '99 (Pinecastle)
- 2000: East Virginia - Back Home in East Virginia (Copper Creek)
- 2000: Kim Person and Lana Puckett - Windows of Life (Cimarron)
- 2000: Scott Vestal - Millennia (Pinecastle)
- 2000: Zoe Speaks - Pearl (Redbird)
- 2001: Randy Kohrs - A Crack in My Armour (Junction)
- 2001: Wendy Lewis - Mountain Memories 2000 (Orchard)
- 2001: Wendy Lewis - Christmas Favorites (RimRidge)
- 2001: Rice, Rice, Hillman, and Pedersen - Running Wild (Rounder)
- 2001: Charlie Waller and The Country Gentlemen - Crying in the Chapel (Freeland)
- 2001: Candlewyck - Firemen (Votive)
- 2002: Nils Lofgren - Breakaway Angel (Vision / Wienerworld)
- 2002: Ronnie Reno - Portfolio (Shell Point)
- 2003: Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer - Postcards (Community)
- 2003: Springfield Exit - Americana (Cracker Barrel)
- 2004: Randy Thompson - That's Not Me (Leap)
- 2005: Larry Rice - Clouds Over Carolina (Rebel)
- 2005: NewFound Road - NewFound Road (Mountain Home)
- 2006: Jimmy Gaudreau - In Good Company (CMH)
- 2006: Nils Lofgren - Sacred Weapon (Vision)
- 2007: Donna Hughes - Gaining Wisdom (Rounder)
- 2007: John Starling and Carolina Star - Slidin' Home (Rebel)
- 2007: Tony Trischka - Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular (Rounder)
- 2009: Dan Menzone - Frostbite (self-released)
- 2009: Porchlight Trio - Bluegrass Gospel Favorites: Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither (Spring Hill)
- 2010: Bill Emerson - Southern (Rural Rhythm)
- 2010: Jimmy Gaudreau - Pieces and Bits (Goose Creek)
- 2010: Grace Griffith - Sailing (Blix Street)
- 2011: Dave Sharp - Rural Roots (CD Baby)
- 2011: Dave Giegerich - It's About Time (self-released)
- 2012: Millpond Moon - Broke in Brooklyn (Tikopia)
- 2012: Richard Bennett - Last Train from Poor Valley (Lonesome Day)
- 2014: Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band - Dancin' Annie (Rural Rhythm)
- 2015: Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band - The Gospel Side of Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie (Rural Rhythm)
- 2015: John McCutcheon - Joe Hill's Last Will (Appalsongs)
- 2015: Millpond Moon - Time to Turn the Tide (Tikopia)
- 2017: Randy Thompson - War Peace Love Fear (self-released)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{AllMusic | id= rickie-simpkins-mn0000360702 | label= Rickie Simpkins}}
- {{discogs artist|2363866-Rickie-Simpkins|Rickie Simpkins}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpkins, Rickie}}
Category:Musicians from Virginia
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:Bluegrass musicians from Virginia
Category:American bluegrass fiddlers
Category:American bluegrass mandolinists
Category:Lonesome River Band members