Published: June 30, 2009 11:49 am      

Collins enjoys music and hometown

ASHLAND — Ritch Collins is “the show-must-go-on guy.”

“After nearly 25 years in the entertainment industry my outlook is still incredibly positive. I’ve found ways to re-invent myself and keep it interesting. It’s really still all about the music,” he said.

Collins, 44, began playing guitar at the age of seven, and draws his inspiration directly from the many musicians who provided “homegrown entertainment” during his family’s reunions.

“Country and old-time music, that’s really where I cut my teeth,” he said this week, recalling he began playing his mom’s old Stella guitar and soon owned his own Silvertone six-string. He has since developed an affection for Gretsch guitars, and chuckles when he admits at least one friend gives him grief when he plays any other brand.

“Now, I have a terrible case of G.A.S. — gear acquisition syndrome,” he said. “I have too many guitars and not enough time to play them all.”

The call of the music industry came when Collins was 16 and thriving on the energy of the local music scene.

“There were lots of places to play back them. Now, not so much,” he said, remembering a pivotal moment in life when he and fellow members of the band E-Z Access committed themselves to making music.

“It was at The Saloon, which used to be The Sugar Shack, in South Point. Our Halloween show went well and kicked off six to eight years of playing,” Collins said.

There were many excellent bands in the region during that time, he said, explaining E-Z Access often rotated through five or six local venues along with other local bands including VHF, Phoenix and Malachi.

“The hair scene was large — we were young and living on it,” he said with a grin.

He couldn’t suppress a smile as he remembered his band’s troubles keeping a singer.

“Our singers were like Spinal Tap drummers — including at our first show,” he said, explaining they had rehearsed for weeks with one singer and replaced him with another who went missing days before their gig. “We called Thurman Adams and he stole the show and sold the band.”

Most of the musicians who came and went from those bands have remained actively musically, Collins said, and many recently found themselves at an unintended reunion when they gathered for the funeral of Keith Justice.

In his role as Paramount Arts Center technical director as well as an engineer with Mountain Stage, Collins said he has to be ready to tackle any number of unrelated tasks.

“I’m the fireman. I take care of all of the details involved with every show,” he said. “It’s a very multi-hat job I have. I do whatever it takes. That’s my job and I like it.”

With his own music, Collins has long embraced traditional tunes of the mountains along with styles perfected by the swing bands and jazz combos of the 1920s and 30s. He will be performing with “The Ritch Collins Three-O + Joe” in at The Alban Theater in St. Albans on July 11, and at the Hot Dog Festival in Huntington on July 25. The “Three-O plus Joe” is made up of Collins on guitar and vocals, Bob Shortridge on upright bass and vocals, Jeff Carter on clarinet, whistle, flute and vocals, and Joe Dobbs, who provides fiddle “guidance and inspiration,” in addition to a rotating list of guest musicians.

“The Three-O is the culmination of years of wandering around with old tunes. I’m very fortunate to find other guys who like it and enjoy playing it,” Collins said, shaking his head slightly as he described the band’s unusual, yet familiar song list featuring “everything from Alabama Jubilee to Zippity Do Da.”

Collins said he and members of the Blue Max Big Band are also ready to again take the stage.

“We’re dusting off the swing shoes! Blue Max will also be playing during the Hot Dog Festival,” he said.

When he gets a chance to perform for younger audiences including children from this area, Collins said he tries to instill a sense of pride based on the strength of local tradition and music.

“I’m still waiting for a hillbilly version of ‘Rock Band’ to come out,” he said with a chuckle.

Regardless of the songs being played or the story being told, Collins said he tries to convey a single emotion when the spotlight turns his way.

“I’m just having fun — that’s what I try to get across. I’m not the greatest guitar player or singer, but I have more fun than anyone,” he said. “I’m just glad to be doing what I’m doing. I’m playing music in my hometown.”

Visit ritchcollins/myspace.com or oritchinalmusic.com on the Internet to learn more about Collins and hear some of his songs.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.