Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Kelly Richey began her musical journey in her early teens with piano lessons. A neighbor let her take a drum kit home at 15 and after a couple months of playing, her father offered to buy her any musical instrument she wanted...as long as it WASN'T a drum kit! Kelly chose the guitar.

Richey was raised in a conservative Christian household that avoided rock music, but once she picked up the guitar and found the music of Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, and later, Stevie Ray Vaughan, there was no turning back.

What sets Richey apart as far as female guitar players is the way she 'attacks' the instrument. I've seen some very talented female players, from Bonnie Raitt, to Joanna Connor, to Ana Popovic, and Kelly Richey stands right there with that group.

She plays a Fender Stratocaster, the same she's played since the 80's in fact. It has a 1963 body and a 1965 neck, and you can see by the wear on it that the guitar has been PLAYED!

Richey has released 12 albums in her career, but what grows her legend is her live performances. Richey returns to Sioux Falls this Saturday night at Old Skoolz (921 E. 8th St.) Mat d of Sioux City's Mat d and the Profane Saints open the show at 8:30.

Tickets are available at Old Skoolz for $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

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