We recently connected with Ridge Banks and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ridge, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Since I was 6 years old listening to Elvis. I started lessons and performing on stage by 10 years old. I would wear a giant foam cowboy hat and go to neighbors dinner parties to play songs they requested and a few of my own. I did extremely well in musical testing in school and figure out most songs by ear. Unfortunately, I had an abusive father and childhood that hurt my self image. It became terrifying to be on stage although I knew this was God’s plan for me. So I played privately and pursued a career in healthcare that lasted 28 years. By then the yearning to be a music performer was too great. I started writing and recording songs with my buddy Tom Stanton in Washington DC. A few years later I left my job in healthcare and moved to Nashville at age 48.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Originally from the small town of Fenton, Michigan, I grew up in a very musical family and started performing at a young age. I call my music Rugged Acoustic incorporating the picking styles of Jim Croce, John Denver and Eric Clapton with the percussive, rhythmic pulse of artists such as Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Tommy Emmanuel. I also use a lot of alternative tunings giving my music an authentic edge resembling Stephen Stills, Joe Bonamassa or Dave Mathews. I sometimes describe my music as “a contrast of Light and Dark in attempt to reflect our most Authentic selves”. I have literally healed from my past traumas on stage here in Nashville. I grew up in an abusive environment that kept me from the stage for over 30 years. The 2 most important messages of my music are 1. Nothing heals in the dark. I was only able to move forward and heal by facing and sharing my traumatic experiences with others. Music is a beautiful way to do that. 2. You are never too old to pursue the destiny God has placed in your heart.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I was terrified to be on stage when I first came to Nashville 4 years ago. I played in open mics and songwriter rounds nearly every night. Over 250 performances in 40+ venues in just the first year. I forgot my words, I forgot my chords, and fought through all my self-defeating thoughts until the anxiety eventually turned to excitement. I just kept listening to voice inside me telling me this is what I was made for. I used to say my mind was only 25% on stage so I needed to practice all the time. Being dyslexic meant I needed to practice even more. I now feel I am at my best on stage. Sometimes adding unrehearsed elements to my performances on the fly. The bigger the stage the more comfortable I am. It wasn’t easy. Actually, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. There is nothing safe about sharing your heart on stage to strangers! It took a lot of prayer as well. I also now perform with my original band “Ridge Banks and The Wall of Sound” that started as a quarantine garage band in 2020.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
At first it was hard for me to recognize Why I had this feeling all my life to be on stage. Pride gets in the way and you pursue the fame, to be known, creating something that wasn’t there before. But that approach wasn’t enough for me to conquer my fears. I didn’t see real growth until I started writing and performing to change other people’s lives. To tell my audience messages like “I know how you feel”, “There is hope”, “Keep fighting you can get through this!”, ” You deserve to be happy” or “it’s never too late” is what keeps me motivated. The hardest thing in this business is to stay humble and still promote yourself. Something I still struggle with daily.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ridgebanksmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgebanks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridgebanks/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxyAYQMq07WoiD9CTk1Fpaw
- Other: My band “Ridge Banks and The Wall Of Sound” instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.wallofsound/
Image Credits
Barbara Potter – The primary photo only