SOUTHWEST BLUES INTERVIEW WITH 
LIZ MELENDEZ AND KELLY RICHEY
October 2005

10 Questions for Liz Melendez & Kelly Richey
Questions & Photos by Dean Hesse 
dhpix.com

Interstate 75 became the New Blues Highway, when The Kelly Richey Band packed up and headed south from Cincinnati, Ohio and hooked up with The Liz Melendez Band at Darwinís in Marietta, Georgia on May 14.

According to Kelly "As for how this show came in to being...we both heard about each other through friends and press and decided to contact each other...we talked about the idea of a show together being a cool idea and went for it! It should be very fun!"

Kelly and Liz took some time to answer 10 questions about themselves, before they met for the first time at Darwinís. These ladies are not only masters of their craft, they are class acts all the way! 
 

DHPIX: How old were you when you first stated playing guitar, and why a guitar over other instruments?

LIZ: My father played bass and guitar and was a huge music and blues fan. He would play records at deafening volume, which I loved and when I was about 5 years old I heard the intro to Freddie King's "I Wonder Why" coming out of the stereo. I became fascinated with the sound of the guitar and begged my father to teach me to play the songs I was hearing him play like "Johnny B. Goode", "Honky Tonk" and an array of blues and rock and roll standards so I was playing these musical fundamentals at a very early age with my father's guidance. I did enjoy other instruments like piano and drums but there is no doubt I was born to play the guitar.

KELLY: I was 15 when I started playing the guitar.? I grew up playing piano, got a drum set from a neighbor when I was 13....My dad told me that if I got rid of the drums he'd buy me anything I wanted so I got a guitar...

DHPIX: Who is your greatest influence in life & music?

LIZ: My parents, especially my father, who passed away in 2001, was my primary influence. I believe I would not be the musician I am today if he had not recognized my love for the instrument and encouraged me every step of the way. He used to tell me, "One day you will be one of the best guitarists on the planet." I believed him, not because I wanted to be one the best but because believing you can be one of the best sets you free to pursue your dreams to their fullest. His philosophy and principals of musicianship and life and my mother's unconditional support guide me still today.

KELLY: musical influences: Roy Buchannan! Life's major influences: My very dearest friends.

DHPIX: Any obstacles/prejudice for you as a female musician?

LIZ: Yeah the old standby does hold true to some extent, lead guitar is a man's domain. I'm sure Kelly and I could both fill a book with humorous and outrageous stories about some of the men (and women) who have crossed our paths and tried to knock us down a peg or challenged us, insulted us, etc. But I diffuse those obstacles and prejudices by refusing to view myself as a female musician and go about my life, music and business as a musician period. I find that goes a long way in wiping out the gender line for me.

KELLY:  Where to begin...??? There have been so many obstacles as well as prejudices...I'll say this, we've come along way and each and every woman along this long and twisted road has helped to pave the way...

DHPIX: Best part about performing?

LIZ: The live energy exchange of an audience and a live band...there's nothing like it and it cannot be duplicated.

KELLY: Performing is the greatest gift music has to offer...on one hand it's my exit strategy and on the other it's a very intimate connection with other human souls...

DHPIX: Worst part about performing?

LIZ: Playing your guts out and hearing someone holler out, "Play Mustang Sally!"

KELLY: Driving, setting up, tearing down, driving....

DHPIX: What gear are you using, and why?

LIZ: I've always used Fender amps. My dad used Fender amps. They have the versatility and the tone that suits me. My primary guitar is a '98 Fender Strat which was also a gift from my dad and it is the instrument I am always photographed with. I like to keep my rig simple mostly going straight from my guitar into my amp and I use effects very sparsely. People are often shocked to see that I use almost nothing but my guitar and my amp and I like that. I guess I'm a purist in that way.

KELLY: I use a VHT Pittbull amp...it's a 30watt amp and it has a wonderful sound. For years I used one of my now retired to my studio super reverber amps but they were so loud that I was always being asked to turn down...what a drag!!! so, I went on a search for the perfect small combo with a great big sound and I  found it!!! The amp is pricey but it's worth it! I use a Hughes and Kettner Rotosphere, a Boss GT3 for my delays, an Ernie Ball volume pedal and a Vox vintage re-issue wah... you can view my guitar rig on my web site.  I also have a wonderful monster rig in my studio...5 years ago I set out to design the guitar rig of my dreams.
 

DHPIX: Any advice for struggling musicians, females in particular?

LIZ: Learn everything you can about your craft and keep learning. Keep growing and developing your skills and never get sucked into feeling like there are limitations to how much you can do because you're a female.

KELLY: Work hard and if you really love it...I mean if you can't imagine your life with out it don't give up!!! ...never give up!!!

DHPIX: If you weren't a musician what would you be doing?

LIZ: I would be a lawyer.

KELLY: Managing a "psych" ward.

DHPIX: What other artists are you listening to now?

LIZ: I love a lot of different types of music. It's not uncommon for me to have a mix CD of Carlos Santana, Missy Elliott, Allison Kraus, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ozzy (of course), Jaco Pastorious, Rare Earth, Pink, Paul Simon, Gwen Stefani and Van Morrison.

KELLY: Joe Bonamasa, Miles Davis, R.L. Burnside

DHPIX: What's in the future for you?

LIZ: More of what I'm already doing...moving onward and upward!

KELLY: I'm building a studio in my home right now so I plan to do more recording, writing...etc...Ii'm beginning to piece together several different rhythm sections with dream players that I've always wanted to work with so the future will be very exciting with lots of new and wonderful music...? I will continue to teach guitar both private instruction and group workshops...I love teaching!? I'm also teaching a blues history program in schools these days, so I hope to do even more of that in the coming years...