Ricky Earl brings a new vision of Blues music to the scene, shattering rigid definitions and extending the boundaries of this uniquely American music. Ricky's style blends and extends his many influences - including Little Milton, Johnny Taylor, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, and Tyrone Davis - into something distinctly his own.

Ricky Earl was born in the small town of Poplar Bluffs, Missouri, one of twenty children. His father was a Baptist minister and his family was well-known as the Gospel group The Earl Singers. Ricky began playing piano at age five and later learned bass and guitar. It has been Ricky's dynamic guitar that has brought him fame and notoriety throughout the country. At fourteen, Ricky was introduced to the blues world and joined a group called the Dayton Side Winders.

Ricky went on to work with some of the greatest blues artists known. With Little Milton, he worked as bandleader for six years. He also worked with Albert King, B.B. King, Artie White, Johnny Taylor, Zion Crusaders, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Ricky has toured throughout Europe, Japan, and the U.S. making appearences at the Motor City Blues Festival, Beale Street, the Hollywood Bowl, and many, many other festivals and venues. He also held the spotlight in Player Magazine in 1991. Ricky Earl, the Louisiana Blues Man, is a true Blues master.

Cheri hails from Rochester, Pennsylvania just outside Pittsburgh, but moved to Southern California when she was just two years old. Cheri began as singing Gospel music in a small church and her strong vocal abilities soon had her leading songs in the choir. She studied dance and soon organized and choreographed a dance troupe of thirty girls that performed throughout the city.

Cheri was introduced to the Blues when she moved to Denver. Falling in love with Blues music, Cheri came under the tutelage of veteran Denver Blues artist Sammy Mayfield. Soon she was doing recording studio work as well as writing songs, which led to an opportunity working with Solomon Burke, one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

Cheri's powerful vocal stylings add a unique dimension to the Ricky Earl band, whether performing duets with Ricky on R & B classics like Wilson Pickett's " Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You " or soloing on Mary J. Blige's "I'm Going Down" or Etta James' "Damn Your Eyes". Cheri counts Etta James and Aretha Franklin among her strongest influences.

Click here to join the Ricky Earl Band mailing list.

Click here for booking information.