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JUNE 9th 2005 DICK RYMAN
Grantham, Lincs. based singer / guitarist Dick was making a return visit to our club following two previous engagements here. Smartly dressed and bright and cheerful as usual, he started with a song new to me, Trinny Triggs' ' Straight Tequila'. After this we had a good mix of all types of Country ranging from early Carter Family songs of the 1920's / 1930's to recent Bellamy Brothers music. It was especially pleasing tonight to hear a few Bluegrass numbers and nicely adapted by Dick so that the audience could singalong. Such examples included ' All The Good Times Are Past And Gone' which has been recorded by Ralph Stanley, Flatt and Scruggs and many more; and 'Foggy Mountain Top' also recoded by several popular Bluegrass artistes. Dick also gave us an instrumental solo of 'Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms' and playing it on his harmonica, he devoted it to Charlie McCoy. Line dancers and smoochers were kept busy all evening with the popular Country Classics from the catalogues of George Strait, Mary Chapin - Carpenter, Jim Reeves, Randy Travis and Merle Haggard etc. and all agreed that Dick had given us a splendid night's entertainment Cyril Insley
Tonight saw a welcome return for the relative newcomer to Country music from Lincolnshire, Dick Ryman. Smartly attired as usual, he gave us a varied programme of songs to keep all factions of the audience content. Dancers particularly enjoyed 'Sold-The Grundy County Auction' 'Diggin' up Bones' 'Neon Moon' and 'I Just Wanna Dance With You' Traditionalists sung along to ' Please Help Me I'm Falling' 'King of The Road' 'He'll Have To Go' 'Anna Marie' and during ' Singing The Blues' the most enormous cheer went up / not for Dick, i might add - but for the entry into the room of Sheila, our organiser, who is carrying two broken ribs and has been absent for a few weeks. Dick was aware of the situation and at the end of the song welcomed our special guest to rapturous applause. He continued to supply a collection of Country standards interspersed with the occasional more recent number eg. Tracy Byrd's ' Watermelon song' ' She Drinks Tequila' and ' Vertical Express- - - - etc'. As before, Dick Ryman gave a polished performance which met the approval of all who were here. Cyril Insley Top Tonight's guest artiste was quite a mystery to our members as no one had any knowledge of Dick Ryman. Apparently he has been in the music business for more than thirty years playing saxophone and other instruments in various bands and 'Combos' he had always harboured a love of Country Music and on retiring from the R.A.F. After 27 years, he ventured into a lifetime ambition to be a performer in this genre of entertainment. In the short period of twelve months, he has established himself as a fine solo entertainer. Smartly dressed, this Grantham based performer soon perceived what his audience wanted. His programme was predominantly well known songs for audience participation:-'Your Cheatin' Heart', Please Help Me I'm Falling', 'Lucille' 'Little Ole' Wine Drinker' 'King of the Road'Anna Marie' etc. However the dancer's were well catered for with ‘Vertical Expression', 'He Drinks Tequila' and 'Waltz Across Texas' amongst others. But for me and a large section of the audience, the highlight of the evening was a harmonica solo in the style of virtuoso Charlie McCoy during his rendition of the traditional Bluegrass number 'Rollin' in my Sweet Baby's Arms', how refreshing, unusual and enjoyable! Tonight Dick Ryman made a lot of new friends and will no doubt be asked back to our club. CYRIL INSLEY Top
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