Rick Collura

Birthdate: August 20, 1957 Columbus , OH .

Current Band: Willie Pooch and The Upsetters

Past Bands: From the 7th Grade The Razors Edge (ha, ha), Charles Earland, The Alligators, The Columbus Jets, The Dave Workman Band with Willie Pooch, The Mojo Kings

Gear: 1965 Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul, Fender Esquire, Fender Blues Deluxe. All played through a 1965 Super Reverb amplifier, no effects.

Recordings you are on: " New York City " Charles Earland, Willie Pooch, various live recordings, future recording with Willie Pooch

Favorite guitarist (living): Duke Robillard

Favorite guitarist (deceased): Magic Sam

Favorite singer (living): Willie Pooch and Teeny Tucker

Favorite singer (deceased): Billie Holiday

First record: " Memphis " by Lonnie Mack

First blues record: "Paying the Cost to be the Boss" by B.B. King

Music career focus: To keep on learning from all the great musicians in Columbus and other places. To try to have fun and not take it too seriously because it's a hard business to be in to play this kind of music.

Rick Collura: "I have been very lucky to be able to play with a lot of great musicians. I would like to thank all the club owners like Jerry Flaherty of the Thirsty Ear and Shelly Young from the first Stache's and Little Brother's for letting us play and warm-up for all the great blues people. I would also like to thank the loyal people in the CBA for their unwavering support; without you guys we wouldn't have an audience to play to. I just want to keep on doing this as long as I can."