The Falmouth Outlook - Page 25 Blind Ricky brings musical talents to Wool Fest By Debbie Dennie Danny Barnes was born in Richmond Kentucky to a musical family. Danny began performing musically at age 6 in the Barnes Family Band. In this configura- tion, he was able to hone his skills on several instruments. Danny has toured with some of bluegrass top bands. These include, The Charlie Sizemore Band , Conti- nental Divide , Tim Graves and Cherokee , Dean Osborn Band , and Pine Mountain Railroad , just to name a few. Danny resides in Richmond with his wife Angie, and twins Jacob and Mary Lane and a blind poodle named Ricky. Robin Barrett plays Mando- lin and sings lead and harmony vocals with” Blind Ricky”. Robin is no stranger to the bluegrass and gospel music scene. She per- formed in “Southern Horizon” along with Greg Combs, allowing her to get valuable stage experi- ence while traveling most week- ognition, while releasing two proj- & Eastbound where she would ity time picking with his families ends to perform at Churches and ects. Along with “Blind Ricky extensively travel and perform in gospel group. He has been privi- festivals. Robin grew up in a fam- bandmate Kelly Caldwell, the more than 40 states over the next leged to pick and sing with some ily that had no shortage of gifted regionally recognized band, “The 10 years. Kelly did not settle and of the finest groups around. Ran- musicians. She was drawn to the Mountain Connection” was creat- began to create her own musical dall has played banjo and dobro music and possessed a great desire ed. TMC has been performing in storybook, opening for Nashville with both Dale Ann Bradley and to learn to pick and sing at a early many configurations for the past Recording Artist, Leanne Wom- Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike. age. In the past 13 years she has five plus years with some good ack in July, 1999. She was later He also performed on bass with had the opportunity to perform on success. Greg still helps keep “The featured in the October 2004 is- New River Line, and with Greg the Grand Ole Opry twice. You Mountain Connection” going on sue of Bluegrass Unlimited with and Kellys band Mountain Con- can quickly tell by Robins picking the side, but is focusing most of Dean Osborne and Eastbound nection. Randall plays Dobro and and singing style that she has been time and energy on the exciting then in December 2006, her wild- contributes on lead and harmony influenced by some of the leading new “Blind Ricky” band concept. est dreams became reality when vocals in the Blind Ricky collabo- musicians of the acoustic music Greg has been married to his wife she was selected as one of 19 cast ration. world. If you ask Robin, some Ruth for over 18 years. They have members to perform in a musical Kristinn Joe Kirkpatrick was of her musical influences include one son Blake who is 16 years of called “Appalachian Christmas” born on September 16, 1978 but are not limited to: Sam Bush, age. During his spare time, Greg at, New York’s own, Carnegie in Somerset, Kentucky. In this Alan Bibey, Stevie Ray Vaughn, likes to golf, fish, hunt, and - gar Hall. During the musical, Kelly quaint little town, he was raised the Beatles, and many others from den. played fiddle, sang harmony and by an extremely talented fam- numerous Genres of music. Robin At a very young age, Kelly even took lead vocals on a black ily surrounded by musicians, song is a big part of The “Blind Ricky Caldwell began gracing every gospel solo with several cast mem- writers, composers, artists and Sound”. stage possible. Her mother, a bers backing her. In January, poets. These gifted influences Greg Combs is proud to be strictly religious, Southern Lady 2007, Kelly competed in and cap- became an intricate part in the from the mountains of Southeast taught her the soulful, gospel har- tured 1st Place at the Kentucky development of the skills he has Kentucky residing in Annville, monies and had her singing every Fellowship of Musicians Winter- today. At the young age of three, Kentucky in rural Jackson County. time the church doors opened. fest Bluegrass Battle of the Bands Kris began playing drums in his He has been performing music Her Dad, an “old school” Rock and also took the title of Best in uncle’s recording studio. Drum- in some capacity for the past 30 and Roller exposed her to the Lead Vocals. Later, she partnered ming came ever so naturally to plus years. Greg performed in sounds of Creedence Clearwater with Greg Combs to form The Kris and immediately became several bluegrass bands while at- Revival, Steve Miller Band, The Mountain Connection, a progres- his passion. His parents bought tending college at Eastern Ken- Bellamy Brothers, Waylon Jen- sive, bluegrass band, also featured his first drum set when he was six tucky University, namely Matt nings, and Merle Haggard to say in the July 2011 Issue of Bluegrass years old and he has been playing Paul and The Bluegrass Express, the least. These influences aided Unlimited. A natural songwriter ever since. He has played with a and The Timberline Band. He her in developing a style that and musician, Kelly plans to con- variety of groups and bands with also performed on and off with his reaches far beyond any genre. As tinue her travels while advancing genres varying from gospel, hard families gospel group, playing in a teenager, Kelly continued to per- her music and talents to the high- rock, jazz, bluegrass, country and numerous church venues around form on stage, holding a true pas- est level possible. funk. Kris enjoys the camaraderie the region. Greg also managed, sion for music. She played rhythm Randall Conn is a multi-in- of being with those who share his booked, played guitar, and sang guitar, sang lead and harmony vo- strumentalist. He began playing enthusiasm for music and who be- with the London, Kentucky based cals with the Sugar Shack Band, guitar in church at the early age lieve in always paying it forward. bluegrass gospel group Southern a country collaboration consist- of eight. By the time he turned 12 Blind Ricky will perform at Horizon. This group received ing of four other members. She years old he had started playing 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, October 8 some regional and national rec- later united with Dean Osborne banjo. Randall spent a lot of qual- on the Main Stage.