Rich Ertelt and Blues Express
Rich is currently working on several live and recording projects, including Blues Express, a 3 piece Blues/Rock/Soul band.
Originally from Troy, NY, Rich was a member of the highly successful band Tree Fox in the late 70s, which included an album on Fraternity Records. He moved to CA 40 years ago where he quickly found full time work as a musician and picked up the nickname Rip. For 9 years he played large events throughout the west coast and nationwide with the Premier CA Oldies band Daddy-O, as well as many other great bands. Daddy-O was often called on to backup touring singers, including Mary Wells, The Shirelles, The Platters, The Drifters and Johnny Lee.
In 1998, Rich moved to Austin TX playing a variety of music, including Blues, Country, Rockabilly and Rock and Roll. This included performing at The Continental Club in Austin with the well known rockabilly band The Belfuries.
He has played on stage and recorded with members and former members of Double Trouble, Captain Beefheart, People, Cold Blood, Doobie Brothers, Credence Clearwater Revisted, Mark Chestnut band, Commander Cody and many other well know Austin and Bay Area musicians.
He has performed at such venues as The Wildhorse in Nashville, the Roxy and Whisky in LA, Wolfgangs in San Francisco, Antone’s, The Continental and The Broken Spoke in Austin, The Cow Palace and many, many more. He retired from the road 15 years ago when his son was born, but still gigged regularly in the Austin area.
In 2019, Rich moved back to the Capitol District for better educational access for his son. He had been working on a couple of projects that were interrupted by Covid, In the meantime, he has been working on original projects, and expects to be playing in the Albany scene regularly when that becomes available.
Working professionally, Rich has had a wide variety of musical experiences, performing Blues, Rock from the 50s - 90s, Rockabilly, Jazz, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Funk & R&B and many others. A love of all music has been a driving force in his professional life.