PLAY THAT BEAT BONGO.
He plays every percussion instrument that is available to him. This maestro of the timpani,snare drum,bass drum,cymbals triangle, conch shell,whistles,sirens and many more is passionate about his art.
Rickey "Bongo" Carthen is a populr name is the music circles and is very much in demand at gigs around town. Texas is now his home but the genesis of his musical journey started when he was just an adolescent in a small town in St. Louis. The percussion's rhythmic appeal captivated young Rickey influencing him to join Catherine Durham's Dance Troupe. Catherine was facinated by the Haitian's music genre-the pulsating beats, the gyrating bodies and the spiritual mix of the voodoo with the incantations and possessions. The troupe toured Haiti and it was there that Rickey spotted his opportunity.Being just a dancer was not satisfying to the young impressionable Rickey. He spotted a chance to experiment with the percussion instrument and since then it's become a part of him.
On his return home the new drummer sought every opportunity to play the percussions. Rickey hung around every musican he could find. Most of them were much older than the enthusiastic "drummer". The Kinney Group Quintet was very popular at that time in St. Louis. Its leader, Wheaty Morris saw Rickey play and was impressed. "You can only practise for so long, you need to get out and make some money",advised Wheathy. Those words resonated in the mind of the aspiring drummer. Rickey's first gig as a professional occurred when he joined Oliver Sam and his Band.
The 1970's was a bustling time for many great artists.Oliver Sam and his band often became the opening act for performers like Shirley Brown and Teddy Pendagrass -lead singer for Harold Melville and the Blue Notes.Over the years Rickey has become an accomplished keyboard player and singer. He does recordings at his studio in Wylie Texas.
Bongo was soon a household name.His journey continued with tours to Japan in 1980,Singapore, Rome, Germany, Portugal, Spain, France, Ghana,Nigera,Keyna and many more. In 2000 to 2001 Rickey also linked up with gospel icon Kirk Franklin and his group on one of his albums.
Today Rickey is spending more time with his two young children Sabian, 14, who is an upcoming percussionist and Chole' 12, who is a singer and dancer with a dance troupe.
Just in case you are wondering where did all that DNA come from, Rickey's mother was a back up singer with the Ike and Tina Turner band.
Rickey "Bongo" Carthen is a populr name is the music circles and is very much in demand at gigs around town. Texas is now his home but the genesis of his musical journey started when he was just an adolescent in a small town in St. Louis. The percussion's rhythmic appeal captivated young Rickey influencing him to join Catherine Durham's Dance Troupe. Catherine was facinated by the Haitian's music genre-the pulsating beats, the gyrating bodies and the spiritual mix of the voodoo with the incantations and possessions. The troupe toured Haiti and it was there that Rickey spotted his opportunity.Being just a dancer was not satisfying to the young impressionable Rickey. He spotted a chance to experiment with the percussion instrument and since then it's become a part of him.
On his return home the new drummer sought every opportunity to play the percussions. Rickey hung around every musican he could find. Most of them were much older than the enthusiastic "drummer". The Kinney Group Quintet was very popular at that time in St. Louis. Its leader, Wheaty Morris saw Rickey play and was impressed. "You can only practise for so long, you need to get out and make some money",advised Wheathy. Those words resonated in the mind of the aspiring drummer. Rickey's first gig as a professional occurred when he joined Oliver Sam and his Band.
The 1970's was a bustling time for many great artists.Oliver Sam and his band often became the opening act for performers like Shirley Brown and Teddy Pendagrass -lead singer for Harold Melville and the Blue Notes.Over the years Rickey has become an accomplished keyboard player and singer. He does recordings at his studio in Wylie Texas.
Bongo was soon a household name.His journey continued with tours to Japan in 1980,Singapore, Rome, Germany, Portugal, Spain, France, Ghana,Nigera,Keyna and many more. In 2000 to 2001 Rickey also linked up with gospel icon Kirk Franklin and his group on one of his albums.
Today Rickey is spending more time with his two young children Sabian, 14, who is an upcoming percussionist and Chole' 12, who is a singer and dancer with a dance troupe.
Just in case you are wondering where did all that DNA come from, Rickey's mother was a back up singer with the Ike and Tina Turner band.