Rick Rourke: Bio
Rick Rourke - Vocals, Guitar, Sax and Harp
Born in Troy NY, Rick grew up in a large family close to where the Hudson River meets the Mohawk in upstate New York. ge After hearing the Animals and Bob Dylan he taught himself guitar and harmonica. Seeking out the roots of these artists Rick developed a love for Blues, Folk and Jazz that inspires his work today.
For two decades prior to the Lost Wages project Rick was saxophonist and vocalist for The Out of Control Rhythm & Blues Band. As the main songwriter for the group, Rick worked with legendary producer Eddie Kramer whose credits include Hendrix, Zeppelin and Buddy Guy to name just a few. The resulting cd enjoyed airplay in diverse markets like Greece, Australia, Canada and blues and college stations in the U.S. This project inspired a volume of songs more personal, more political and with a deeper social connection to what's going on. The need to get these types of songs heard was the genesis for the Lost Wages cd and the formation of the Lost Wages band. "The group has opened up the musical spectrum for me and allowed me to flavor the songs as needed."
The cd or live band performances will take the listener down different paths with sax, violin, harmonica and a chunky rhythm section to lead the way. As the world has become more complex, corporate and regimented with radio airplay confined to the same 200 classic songs, Rick finds himself digging even deeper for well crafted, honest and fresh inspiration for the Lost Wages project.
Larry Clyman - Guitar
Originally from Albany,NY Larry attended the University of Indiana gaining a degree
in Jazz Studies.Shortly after,he moved to
Los Angelos to teach at the Music Institute
.Heading to Chicago,Larry had the experience of a lifetime with an eighteen month position touring with Alligator Records blues star ,Lonnie Brooks.Still in
Chicago he went on to play and produce
two albums with Big Shoulders on Rounder
Records and the Otters on Waterbug Records.in 2001 Larry and his wife Nancy
Walker moved to Saratoga NY area.Immersing himself in the recording
and playing scene ,Larry has added his
strong harmonic playing to the LOST WAGES
lineup while mixing and co producing the
LOST WAGES cd.
Lucas Ruedy - Bass
Born in Manhattan,Lucas showed an early interest in stringed intruments finally deciding on the bass.While still in high school Lucas was already involved in recording projects completing an album with the Mikey Steals band in N.Y.C..Moving to Albany,NY Lucas studied with bassist Ray Jung and began to explore diverse musical styles such as jazz,country,funk and blues.Always branching out Lucas enjoyed a stint in the pit band for "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat".
In 2000 Lucas joined the Out of Control Rhythm and Blues Band an Albany NY horn band with a fifteen year history.Local studio projects followed which led Lucas to be a founding member of Lost Wages
Doug Klein - Drums and Vocals
Doug Klein was lured out of retirement to
join "Lost Wages"."I was going on six years
without performing.No gigs seemed to inspire me".i was focusing on my visual art's
career.Doug holds a Masters in Arts Education from the College of St Rose in
Albany NY."When i heard the songs on Rick's Lost Wages CD I called my old friend
that if he ever needed a drummer I'd be
there in a heartbeat".
Doug has been performing around New England since 1976.He started his musical career in the jazz clubs of Long Island while still in jr. high.He has been a member
of the music scene ever since.Recording
and Performing in popular Jazz,Blues Rock
and Jam Bands of the northeast Doug has
played with such greats as Rick Danko,Hot
Tuna,Jorma Kaukonen and Steve Kimmock in the California Jam Band Zero.His drumming has been heard in major radio
markets across New England as well as
Woodstock 94.
After a small retirement Doug is re-ener
gized and ready to roll with the rough and tumble roots music of Rick Rourke and
Lost Wages.