Ami Ricci of Bluegrass RoadTrip only became a fan of the music in 2012, but since then she has managed a successful website to help fans locate bluegrass music venues across the nation. When we spoke recently, she shared her personal road to bluegrass.
“My parents always played music in our home. As children we heard everything from Judy Collins and Bob Dylan to Pete Seeger and the Beatles. Dad loved classical music too, so we listened to some of everything. He worked for the government and we moved and traveled a great deal. We were exposed to traveling, cultures, and especially music when my brother and I were young. I can remember going to concerts at Wolf Trap up in Virginia as a young girl and being mesmerized by the shows. All of that probably contributed to the excitement I get on my own Bluegrass RoadTrips.
“My parents always played music in our home. As children we heard everything from Judy Collins and Bob Dylan to Pete Seeger and the Beatles. Dad loved classical music too, so we listened to some of everything. He worked for the government and we moved and traveled a great deal. We were exposed to traveling, cultures, and especially music when my brother and I were young. I can remember going to concerts at Wolf Trap up in Virginia as a young girl and being mesmerized by the shows. All of that probably contributed to the excitement I get on my own Bluegrass RoadTrips.
The first bluegrass festival I went to was the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival. That first step on the venue completely changed my life. It led me to all that I’m doing now and I’m having so much fun.
Bluegrasscircle.com was started in 2012 by Cory Hemilright, the promoter of the Outer Banks Festival. He was going to let it go because he got too busy. He asked me if I wanted to take it over and I said, ‘Yes, absolutely!’ I changed it to Bluegrass RoadTrip so it would be something different.
I began Bluegrass RoadTrip in 2018 while I was still working at GSK Pharmaceuticals, so I was limited to attending festivals depending on vacation days and distance.
My involvement with bluegrass has afforded me the opportunity to talk with so many people from all walks of life. I enjoy hearing their stories and seeing them at so many festivals. I’ve also enjoyed meeting and getting to know the artists. I met Rhonda Vincent back in 2012, and I’ve learned a great deal from her. She has a great business mind and work ethic. She ensures each person who comes to her table has an individual experience and I try to do that.”
Bluegrass RoadTrip continues to make connections within the bluegrass industry.
“I’ve been fortunate to have mentors in the business offering advice and expanding my reach, beginning with Cory Hemilright and then Lorraine Jordan and Ernie Evans. Lorraine Jordan has been a long-time encourager and supporter of my business. I worked for her a while when she opened the coffee house, and it was there I was able to attend shows and meet a lot of bands and bluegrass fans on a more personal level. Ernie and I became friends during one of their many events and his guidance and knowledge have been very helpful. As my industry involvement grows, I’ve had occasions that have led me to the stage. There was a time in my life I wouldn’t have done that, but with the encouragement of MC, Sherry Boyd, I’ve gained more confidence to address the audience. I tell them about my website, give away tickets to the Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival, or welcome a band.
I left my job in November, so the possibilities with my time are wide open and my calendar is filling quickly. I’ve got a lot of festivals happening this year. I’m trying to go to as many festivals as I can that I haven’t already attended. Most recently, I’ve been invited to Jerusalem Ridge and Blue Highway Fest, so I was able to add those to the routing. I’ve traveled from Florida to Pennsylvania.”
Ami is pleased with the attention her website has achieved in the last eight years.
“The business has grown quite a bit. There’s been over four million hits on the website which is great! The social media following has grown too. When I started it was in the 40,000s and now it’s approaching 80,000 followers.”
Though retired from the business world, Ami is excited for her work within the bluegrass community.
“In the future, I hope to go to even more festivals. I hope to expand with advertising and sponsorship on the website.”
Interested parties contact [email protected] or at the contact link on her website, bluegrassroadtrip.com .
Ami stressed…
“If anyone has any festivals that aren’t listed on the website, please contact me with that information so I can add it, especially new festivals.”
Bluegrass RoadTrip also promotes the next generation of bluegrass musicians.
“We sponsor High Lonesome Strings [a North Carolina bluegrass association] every year. We feel like it’s a worthwhile cause. They give scholarships to kids that are interested in bluegrass music.
Also, I enjoy when folks share Bluegrass RoadTrip sightings when they see one of my logos on a hat or a sticker. They take a picture and send it to me and I post them on the Facebook page. That’s always fun! I love telling stories using photos and reels. I enjoy showing people the fun and excitement of a festival so they’ll make plans to come next year.”
Ami even has her own personalized license plate: “BGRDTRIP.
“Actually this year, I traded my Bronco for a Pilot. Pilot goes along with travel. It all goes hand-in-hand.”
Ami is never alone, she takes along her trusty stuffed animal friend, Roscoe, donned in his Bluegrass RoadTrip t-shirt on all her musical excursions.
So when planning your next musical adventure, check out bluegrassroadtrip.com and look for Ami Ricci’s booth at bluegrass festivals. You’ll be glad you did!
