I am a pianist/organist/vocalist/synthesist/drummer/producer & instructor born and raised in Cincinnati, OH.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m the oldest of four children born and raised on the west side of town (Bridgetown). My mother and father were both hard working people.
No surprise, Rickys family was very musical. His dad’s brother, Earl Neiheisel, owned a music studio and formed a dance band that included several other family members including Ricky’s dad. When he was 12 Ricky started to play drums with them. The Earl Neiheisel Band performed at weddings and parties.
Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love the power of music and its transcendent ability.
As for my career history, here’s a bio:
Traditional blues, boogie woogie, and classic New Orleans jazz and R&B all come flying from the fingers of Cincinnati, OH pianist and vocalist RICKY NYE. The driving force behind the annual BLUES & BOOGIE PIANO SUMMIT held in Greater Cincinnati from 1999 to 2017, Ricky has been inducted into the International Boogie Woogie Hall Of Fame, voted “Blues Artist Of The Year 2019” in Cincinnati’s CEA Awards, and “Best Local Musician” by CityBeat Magazine’s “Best Of Cincinnati 2018” reader’s poll. Ricky began his performing career at age twelve with his family’s band, and in his twenties and thirties established working relationships and friendships with artist such as world renowned jazz guitarist Wilbert Longmire, Cincinnati blues icons Big Ed Thompson, H-Bomb Ferguson and fellow pianists Big Joe Duskin and Pigmeat Jarrett. For twenty years Ricky has maintained notoriety on an international level, performing his infectious blend of American roots music in solo, duo and combo settings in locales such as France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Vienna, England, and Switzerland. Ricky also celebrates a long-time performing and recording collaboration with “The Paris Blues Band”, the very finest purveyors of swingin’ blues and boogie in Paris, France.
What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Song Long Restaurant and Delhi Palace.
How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born here in Cincinnati in 1956. I moved to the east coast in ’74, moved back in ’79 and have been here ever since.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Someone I find very interesting, and particularly knowledgeable about all things Cincinnati is my friend Jim Tarbell.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
The Netherlands and France (Paris specifically) because I’m missing my friends and musical associates there in a big way
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
“What About Bob?” (movie); “Sanford & Son” (TV show)
What advice would you give to people?
Have integrity and compassion.
What is something on your bucket list?
To own a cabin near a lake.
What is your go to music?
Big Joe Turner.
What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
God Save The Queen.
Ricky explains:
God Save The Queen was an eclectic curiosity shop (owned by Ginger Dawson and located downtown). It had all kinds of fun things like wind-up tin toys and trinkets that were entertaining and fun to shop. Things of whimsy. The store closed in 2001.
If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
My friend, pianist Fabrice Eulry from Burgundy, France because time stands still when we hang out (and I miss him a lot) – and I’d like to meet with him at Tucker’s.
What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing is the wide variety of musical associates – and one thing that makes Cincinnati unique is the fact that it’s a northern city and a southern city at the same time.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Alive.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My rap moniker is “Li’l Achy”
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Netherlands.
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
May; Thanksgiving; September 10th (my girlfriend’s birthday).
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My potato pancakes.
Who inspires you to be better?
Young bluesman Jontavious Willis.
I first saw Jontavious live at Chicago Blues Festival. He is so talented and possesses so much skill for someone so young. He is so confident but he’s not cocky about it. He just seems natural, relaxed, poised and balanced about his music. I learn a-lot by watching him and when I see him and I want to be more like him.
What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I don’t have a sense of smell.
Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy; Secure (I have ADT); Love.
Tune in to more about Ricky Nye here: RickyNye.com
