Instruments: Bass, Vocals.

Influences: Beer, Mr. Grumpy, 97X.

History: Ric is a 42 year old kid with two grown up daughters (Erica 13 and Kit 10)…or at least they act like it…unlike their father who doesn’t. They pretty much rule his world, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Probably the least musically talented member of Doghouse, Ric has been playing bass since 2000, but playing guitar as well as being a show-off for years before that. He honed is guitar skills (not that you could really call them skills) in the apartment on Philadelphia St. with Brian “Pylon” Hayes. Ah, those were the days. The sounds of Faster Pussycat, Guns & Roses, Poison, Gordon Lightfoot, and Jimmy Buffet as played acoustically by two novice axemen on the fire escape, as they dealt with apartment’s potent aura that seemed to adversely affect girlfriends’ behavior. “How could a girl that size breakdown that door? I swear officer it was her, I live here!”

   He was persuaded to pick up the bass by Dick in early 2000 in order to complete the super group line-up in Mr. Grumpy. That group lasted only 9 months, but had two legendary performances. The first in Maysville, KY where Mr. Grumpy still enjoys a cult following as sales of the “Live in Maysville” recording continues to top the local charts. When Mr. Grumpy’s demise was certain, he was recruited to play in what is now Doghouse. He has also performed acoustically in the ever popular two-man, Doghouse-spinoff band Uncle Pecos with fellow Doghouse member Dick.

   Ric was born and raised in N. KY and has no plans to leave it…except for short periods during winter when he hopes to escape to some remote beach to sit in the sand, drink a cold beer or a vodka tonic, and maybe fish a little bit. After graduating from CovCath and spending 13 years getting his undergraduate degree in Political Science (minoring in beer, skipping class, and a video game called Track & Field), he recently got an MBA from Thomas More. Nicknames through the years: Spritle (from Speed Racer), Spark Plug, Mosquito, Ricky (“Make the pass, Ricky”), Mr. Cool (by Kit’s friend Morgan) but is now commonly known as the Short Kid, which was mercifully shortened from Short Fat Dumpy-looking Kid With the Bad Haircut.

   Ric has a wide array of musical interests that spans many genres of music, including the Rat Pack (Dean, Frank, and Sammy) and big bands, country (Travis Tritt, Dwight Yokum, Johnny Cash), classic rock (Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Aersomith, Kiss, Tom Petty), new rock (STP, Jet, Velvet Revolver), alternative (Weezer, REM, The Sundays, Buffalo Tom), R&B (The Tempations, Earth Wind & Fire) and pop (Jackson 5, and countless one hit wonders) He has even been known to like a rap song or two.

   Outside music, Ric spends time playing basketball and golf, as well as listening to his wife and two daughters talk. He enjoys reading fantasy novels from authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, David Eddings, Terry Brooks, and Terry Pratchett. He also likes Tom Clancy, and some Stephen King, but his favorite book is The Godfather. He also likes to fish as well as instigating and participating in arguments with his friends. Some classic arguments: The best all-around baseball player of all time? Willie Mays (Ric) or Ty Cobb (Brendan Turney); The best all-around basketball player of all time? Magic (Ric) or Michael (all others that are awestruck by the dunk….right Troy?!?); Would a 6’ sword fall off a 15’ wide bridge with only a 1’ curb if dropped during a fight while on horseback? Yes (Dick) or No (Troy, Tim) with instigators (Ric, Pylon)

   He wants everyone that sees Doghouse to walk away having had a great time with a fun, energetic, sometimes drunk, rockin’ good band.

Gear:

 - Bass: Peavey Foundation 5 string.

 - Amps: Peavey Bam 210 with a 15" cab.