Yesterday I heard that I lost another great friend and musical partner. My sister called me last night to tell me there had been an accident and she did not have a lot of details, but a great friend of mine died yesterday. I mentioned Ric Ahlers in my blog posts before. He was the guitar player/vocalist in the first real band I was in called The Personal Touch. He co-authored with me one of my favorite songs I called “For Those Who Wait“. (With music it was titled: “Our Bodies Move“).
Ric was my brother-in-law and was looking for a keyboard player to start a duo to play locally and out on the road. Though I had only dabbled with piano and was mostly a rhythm guitar singer-songwriter, he gently persuaded me to join him. Then for about three months he patiently guided me as I learned not only how to play keyboards (not just piano, but all the other sounds keyboard players are responsible for), but also a bunch of popular cover tunes for the first time. He was way ahead of me as far as knowledge and talent (I try to take my own advice and play with musicians that are better than me!) and had played out before. We also played our original songs as part of our normal set list. He had more confidence in me than I did, but I guess that is a familiar story to my blog readers.
We started as a duo and played local clubs. We had a full sound as we both sang (as well as we could) and I played my 12 string guitar and the keyboards and later programmed drum machines. He played lead guitar and also controlled a drum machine with an accompaniment triggered by his bass pedals that played bass and added filler strings and piano chords. We could play anything from classic standards to Jimi Hendrix tunes and fit into a very small space.
He sat while playing guitar and kicking his bass pedals. He stood over 6 foot 10! Some people would come up to shake his hand after a tune and jump back as he stood up to talk to them!!
He was as tall sitting as I was standing and it really surprised people and caught them off guard. I would have to warn him about low ceiling fans at hotels and lobbies! We added Ann Ellis as a vocalist and traveled around the county as a trio in his van. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!
Life is not always easy but Ric was always a gentle giant. With a heart just as big, he climbed back up if he got knocked down, and carried you on his shoulders if you could not keep going. He is also family and we will all miss him and are stunned by the sudden loss of a great man in many ways.
rest in peace.
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He will. His family and friends are sure of that.
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I’m so sorry for your loss Mike. I’m praying for you and your family.
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Thank you. It still has’t hit me yet. I appreciate it.
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Prayers to you and the family. sigh…
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Thank you so much. Understood!
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I’m so sad that you lost your friend. Thank you for sharing him with us. I hope his music gives you all comfort now that he has gone
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Thank you. It has been my intention in this blog to share some of the great people I have had the privilege of knowing and working with. Ric got me out of the living room and on the road. No one else could have done that. Listening to his songs now. Thank you again for understanding.
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How wonderful that he had the patience to mentor you as a musician. So sorry for your loss.
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He kept telling me “once you hear it you can play it”. At the time I thought it was hocus-pocus musician talk LOL!
He was right.
Thank you.
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That’s a great message. I think my daughter needs to hear that.
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It took me a while! Tell her I said it’s true lol.
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I’m so sorry to hear of this great loss to you, your sister and family Mike. All condolences to you all at this terribly sad and shocked time. May his musical soul rest in peace.
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Thank you so much. His life and music will be celebrated by all who knew him, and many more stories will be shared.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute you have written to honor Ric.
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I truly appreciate your thoughts. He was a pretty funny guy too!
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that was beautiful Mike thanx
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Ric was special to a lot of people. That was just one of my many stories.
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Condolences to you and yours.
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Accepted graciously. Thank you for your comment and thoughts.
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You have my condolences…
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Thank you so much.
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So sorry for your loss and thinking of you at this time.
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Thank you. Your thoughts really help me focus on the good things.
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What a wonderful statement. Thank you!
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All my love.
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So sorry for your loss My thoughts are with you and yours
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Thank you. Still hard to believe. I appreciate your thoughts.
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I am so sad to hear your loss dear, rest in peace your friend. Love, nia
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He will be remembered and his music will be celebrated. Thank you so much for your comment.
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Condolences
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Family, friend and great musician. He will be missed. Thank you so much.
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So sorry to hear about your loss, but what an honor to have a friend like you in his life and vise verses. This was a beautiful post. Prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.
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Thank you. I have always considered myself lucky on that way. I have known some great people. Good to hear from you and thanks again for your thoughts.
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My condolences..for the longest time i cant find you in my reader..
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Thank you. I am glad you found me again! I try to be fairly predictable LOL!
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I am glad i did..
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Just read this- Sorry Mike 😦
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Not a problem. There is so much to do in our lives and I am glad you take the time to catch up on mine. Thank you.
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