RICKIE SIMPKINS

• From Christiansburg, Virginia. Lives in Nashville.
• Learned fiddle at age six.
• Age 9, played fiddle on stage with Flatt and Scruggs in his home town.
• First band: Upland Express (recorded one album for Leather Records in 1979.) His brother Ronnie was also in this band.
• 1979, joined the McPeak Brothers.
• 1981, joined the Heights of Grass which morphed into the Virginia Squires (with brother Ronnie, Mark Newton and Sammy Shelor).
• 1983, joined the Tony Rice Unit.
• 1996, joined David Parmley, Scott Vestal and Continental Divide.
• 1997, released Dancing on the Fingerboard album (Pinecastle).
• 2000, joined the Lonesome River Band.
• 2001, joined the Isaacs.
• 2002, toured with the Gaithers.
• 2002, released Don’t Fret It album (Doobie Shea).
• 2008, was inducted into the Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
• 2008, began touring with Emmylou Harris and Her Red Dirt Boys.