Artists:Rich Ingle

Rich Ingle is a singer/songwriter deeply rooted in the local Chicago folk scene. With a no-nonsense Chicago-style attitude and an infectious enthusiasm for what he does, Rich serves up a hearty portion of down-to-earth music and storytelling, from the pulsing energy of his rhythm guitar, to his clever and often moving lyrics, the songs of Rich Ingle savor and satirize life in and around the second city, a big city of neighborhoods, front stoops, bars and ballparks.

A product of the 70’s coffeehouse scene, his songwriting suggests the influence of folk faves John Prine and Steve Goodman, but is truly his own. Rich writes what he knows: of life in the dead end world of the corporate day job (Buzz Words) or affection for a feline (Arlo's Song), and what he imagines: love with an elusive stranger (One Sided Love) or encountering a beautiful apparition (The Black Rose). He’s the guy next door that's been around the block a bit.

Rich started writing songs in 1968 and in 1970 he played his first gig at a coffeehouse on Chicago’s southwest side. He made the rounds of coffeehouses all over the city (The Back Door Coffeehouse, The Different Drum), sparking interest in his songwriting from folks like Bill Traut of Wooden Nickel Records. In 1972 he was called to military duty and plans for a musical career were put on hold. He continued writing while in the Army in Germany, filling his free time by forming a band and doing covers of Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, and the Doobie Brothers tunes for officer’s club gatherings and other functions.

Upon his discharge in 1975 he returned to performing and in 1978 had a number of songs published by ATC Publishing, including Valentine, which continues to be a part of his repertoire. His Song For a Cigarette was featured on WFMT's Midnight Special during the Great American Smoke-out. Rich continued writing into the 80’s but was eventually consumed by his day job as a telecommunications technician. Work and family commitments forced him to put his music career on hold. By 1986, he wrote only sporadically and his guitar spent more time in his closet than on stage.

A 1996 televised New Year’s Eve special of WFMT Radio’s “The Midnight Special”, seen on WTTW/PBS, inspired Rich to return to music. This time, he decided, he wouldn’t allow a day job to get in the way. He started making the rounds of open mikes in the area (FitzGerald’s Nightclub, The Acorn Coffeehouse and The Abby Pub). He wrote new material, attended several songwriting workshops and became a member of the Chicago Songwriters Collective. He also participated in Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters in Harbor Springs, Michigan for three consecutive years. In November 1999, he appeared on CLTV in a segment about the open mike scene at FitzGerald's Nightclub, where he was a regularly featured performer.

Rich released his first CD, Wheeler Avenue in January 2000. In addition to audience favorites Grandma Debbie and Couch Potato, the album also features the premier recording of Michael Smith's Such Things Are Finely Done.

An appearance before a packed house at the legendary Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove followed the CD release, as did a guest spot on WGN Radio’s “The Sunday Papers” with Rick Kogan. Wheeler Avenue received airplay on several college and public radio stations across the country (and in Australia!). He became a regular at the Grounds For Appeal Espresso Bar and Café in Berwyn, entertaining on Friday nights every other month.

In the spring of 2001, Paul Barile of Liberty Suburban Newspapers published an article on Rich that appeared in all of their papers reaching a readership of about 250,000. In May he did a special tribute concert at Grounds For Appeal to his longtime hero Bob Dylan on his 60th birthday.

In the autumn of 2002, he was listed as a singer/songwriter in Jamie O’Reilly’s networking roster in the J. O’Reilly Productions Newsletter. In December he released the limited edition CD-R of live performances entitled A Drink of Time: Live Moments. Armed with the computer skills he had acquired on his straight job, he edited his live recordings that included songs he had written since Wheeler Avenue (2000-2001). Shortly after the release of A Drink of Time a favorable review of his first CD, Wheeler Avenue appeared on the Canadian Website Sound Bytes. Then his fortunes shifted and Rich found himself downsized out of his day job. He began seriously considering the music business as his full time occupation.

"I feel like I’m just getting started and that my best songs are yet to be written."

Buoyed by a new lease on life and a determined spirit, Rich now focuses most of his time on writing songs, rehearsing new material and sharpening his performance. In September he performed for the first time at the Fox Valley Folk Festival and released his third CD, Dreaming Lessons, on September 28, 2004. He is expanding his fan base beyond the Chicago metropolitan area and plans to perform at venues throughout the Midwest. Other creative pursuits include working in the theatre and finishing his “folk opera” based on the life of Tecumseh..