The Rich Life (Biography):
A native of California, Americana guitarist-singer-songwriter Rich McCulley was raised on AM Country radio & classic rock in the San Joaquin Valley. "I have always loved music, from riding in my dad's 1970 Ford truck liste [+]The Rich Life (Biography):
A native of California, Americana guitarist-singer-songwriter Rich McCulley was raised on AM Country radio & classic rock in the San Joaquin Valley. "I have always loved music, from riding in my dad's 1970 Ford truck listening to Buck Owens and Johnny Cash or listening to my mom's Beatles and Stones records. I have always wanted to play music, I never noticed the difference between country and rock. I loved it all."
McCulley's Detroit-bred/Los Angeles-based grandfather helped grow Rich's love for music and the desire to make it himself. "My grandpa had a guitar and an organ he would play, and it fascinated me. I wanted to play guitar. I was a small guy, so he said when my hand was big enough to fit around the neck I could have the guitar. I took until the 8th grade!"
Developing his roots-rock sound, Rich began playing songs by classic 70's-80's rock acts with a band called the East Side Indians in his hometown of Fresno. "We learned the hard rock stuff, always the bluesy stuff though. We were trying to be the Black Crowes who were trying to be the Rolling Stones who were trying to be Muddy Waters, who was trying to be Robert Johnson who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical talents!"
Soon after he began playing, songwriting came naturally to McCulley: "Until I started singing in bands, I just always wrote the music and the singers would add the words. I finally tired of dealing with jerky lead singers, I decided I can do this (I can be the jerk!). Then I realized I HAD to write the words. I soon discovered I had a lot to say, whether or not anyone wanted to hear it, I wanted to say it!"
Influenced by Paul Westerberg, Steve Earle, Wilco, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, the Black Crowes and - of course - his grandfather, McCulley's style remains sunny and honest and always throws a hook. "I want the truth, ugly as it may be. Give me a story, not the big special effects."
Although he does have some formal training, Rich has honed his ambitious guitar prowess virtually on his own. His true talent and skill comes from the "School of Hard Knocks" where he recorded with bands like the alternative rockers Big Blue Hearts (Geffen) and toured as a fiery sideman with jam band Sweet Vine (Columbia)
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