Chris Ramey's performing career began in the
San Fransisco North Beach folk scene in the early 60's. At the
time the young musician was sharing the bill in Bay Area coffee
houses with such well known folk artists as Jorma Kaukonen and
Jerry Garcia, prior to the electric migration.
1965 found Chris in Japan where his youthful
presence and remarkable ability to deliver a sensitive, yet powerful,
solo performance earned him a place among top professionals on
the Tokyo folk concert circuit. After a year in Japan, Chris
returned to California. His home base was in the hills of Los
Gatos but, he spent most of his time playing club dates in Los
Angeles and San Francisco with several extended road trips through
Canada. Along the way he met up with Neil Cassidy, the Beat Generation
icon and pilot of Ken Kesey's day-glow international school bus,
"Furthur." Chris climbed aboard and road with the troop
for an "interesting" time with the Merry Pranksters
... somewhere between six months and five years ... it's hard
to be sure.
Following his bus ride with the Pranksters,
Chris returned to Los Gatos and was immediately recruited by
the seminal 60's rock group, "The Chocolate Watch Band."
"I was writing songs and singing lead vocals ... it was
a good band that stalled out," says Ramey. Shortly after
the band played its last gig, Chris teamed up with young country
singer, Kacey Jones. This proved an excellent match of talent
with tight vocals and clean instumental arrangement, to say nothing
of steady work and a life-long friendship. Two years later, Chris
formed another duo, this time with the late folk-singer and popular
songwriter, Tom Jans. From the start, this new team of seasoned
performers was the buzz among folk artists and audiences alike
until their split in 1974.
Chris spent the next few years touring as
a soloist, mostly outside California, working the summer season
on Cape Cod and the winters in Colorado. The road work earned
him a rest ...maybe. He put down his ax and disappeared from
the music scene for several years.
Chris resumed performing in 1997, much to
the delight of his loyal fans and new followers. He met harmonica
player Jimmy Dewrance in 1999. This fine duet performs together
often and delivers a provocative mix of Americana, Blues, Roots
Music, and Folk, including original songs as well as selected
obscurities, many of which can be heard on the new Kinkajou Records
CD release, "Chris Ramey, Something Borrowed, Something
Blue."
