Singer songwriter Ryan Ritchea, originally from New Martinsville,
continues the 2019 ArtsLink Summer Coffeehouse Series. The free
show will begin at 6:30 pm on Thursday, August 22, on the lawn of
the Francis Creative Arts Center at the corner of Maple Avenue and
Washington Street in New Martinsville. The Summer Coffeehouse
series is sponsored by First Mutual Bank. Light refreshments will
be served. ArtsLink president, Scarlet Hood, comments, “Rain or
shine, bring a lawn chair and enjoy great entertainment!”
Ritchea says his love of music comes from his family. He has fond
memories of riding in his father’s truck and singing along with
Alabama, listening to Buck Owens and His Buckaroos with his
great-grandfather, and many visits to the Lincoln Theater with his
grandparents to see The Ebert Brothers. Those influences inspired
Ritchea to start singing when he was 11 years old. In 2005, he was
selected to be a member of the American Choral Director
Association’s Nation Elementary School Honor Choir in Los Angeles.
After performing with this choir, Ritchea started performing and
competing in many local shows and events. Ritchea also started
taking guitar lessons from Ron Hoskinson, beginning another phase
in his musical journey, and developing his passion for
playing.
Over the past several months, Ritchea has been working in the
studio to complete an album of his own original music. His
self-titled EP, which consists of the first half of this album,
will be available for purchase at this show. Ritchea says, “There
are songs on here that I wrote to tell stories. My favorite thing
about country music is the story telling.” Those stories come from
days and nights playing in jam bands with local legends, love and
dating, and tragedies involving classmates and friends. “I can’t
wait to share these stories with everyone,” Ritchea says.
ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever
possible. Persons with special needs may contact Donna Earley at
304-455-2278 to request assistance. Financial support for ArtsLink
activities is provided by The City of New Martinsville Parks &
Recreation Commission, West Virginia Northern Community College, W
E T Z/ W Y M J Radio, EQT Foundation, and Ohio Valley Online. For
more information, call 304-455-2278. |
