How it all started


What started out on a dare has turned into Mid-Life Crisis.  One night
following bowling, beer-sodden Ric and Russ were wailing away at some song
on the Juke box when the Manager Todd, formerly of The Rumbles fame, came up
and suggested they come up for Karaoke.   Sensing a challenge to their
musical acumen following a rowsing night of testosterone-building bowling,
they promptly informed Todd, "Karaoke?  We don't need no stinking Karaoke!
Why if we were going to come up and perform we'd bring our Axes (guitars)
and do it ourselves."   

Ric, having not played in public in more than 20 years and Russ having never
performed, were much chagrined when reminded of their boasts the next
evening and Todd had arranged for a sound sytem for the following Saturday
night.    After much cajoling, threatening and taunting they agree to try it
the week after.    Utilizing a rented PA and a couple of borrowed acoustic
guitars they appeared.  Much to their surprise a great crowd was on hand and
they didn't suck too bad.    The Ric & Russ Unplugged show was born.

A couple years went by when a mutual friend through Husker football
Saturdays introduced them to Big Fred from the Sidetrack Band.   He had been
entertaining audiences in the Midwest for over 30 years and was looking for
a fun part time gig.     The three played for a garage party one night and
decided to change the act to Ric & Russ' Mid-Life Crisis Starring Big Fred.
And Star he does...armed with an exhaustive repertoire of blue jokes, toasts
and stories Fred's ribald humor is certainly unique.   

Another casual comment brought in Al on drums.  When Ric found out Al's wife
was going to be out of town one night Ric suggested he come up and play
drums one night.   He did and had so much fun he's been there since.   What
they discovered is Al's background is such that he plays phenomenal
keyboards and flute and whatever else he can bring to the show.  Plus he has
an equally exhaustive bag of comedic tricks to offset Fred.   

Moving Al to Keyboards opened up the  percussions for first Denny Moore and
now Dan Bailey.   Both were long-time performers in the area.    Denny had a
business to run but Dan had great hands, could also sing and was available
to party as often as necessary.   In addition he's also playing with the
Lincoln-based Urban Legends - The Band.

The real key to all of this is all of the band members and the folks who
dance and drink alongside them have an enormous capacity for fun!!   And in
having all -the-fun they have also become friends.    That's a pretty cool
thing to happen when you get all grown up on the outside but are still a kid
at heart.