Recently after a series of bad, low paying and no paying gigs, the formerly hard working, public and very visible Harmonica player/singer, Jason Ricci, of the band Jason Ricci and New Blood, went into seclusion. Neither friends nor family, much less fans had seen or heard anything from the formerly active Ricci.
Rumors of drug relapses, physical assaults and even death began to abound the music community, causing unfounded mass speculation and confusion. "His phone is off, all his gigs are cancelled, and he's not even posting on Harp-L," said Garry Hodgson, a friend, fan and taper of Jason and the band. When tracked down at a local strip club, Shawn Dustin Starsky, Jason's long time guitar player in New Blood commented: "Yeah, I haven't seen nor heard anything from him in weeks... we had a bunch of gigs. I don't know what happened... I don't know if I care. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some boobies to tend to. "
Until now the verdict was out on this story, until a recent member of the harmonica paparazzi, known as the "John Popperazzi" snapped this photo of Jason complete with an audio clip, at a seedy karaoke bar just blocks from the young singer's home. "I was there that night," said Jonathan Metts, replying to the image..."He just seemed like a cheap imitation of himself... It was really sad."
Brady Mills, Jason's longtime partner, web designer and friend called in to the WKNB studios and assured the news team here that his beloved partner is just taking a much needed break.
Is it just a break, or is this the fizzled end to an already short-lived and volatile career? Sadly, most fans agree, "yes."
To learn more about Jason Ricci and for booking and tour dates, visit his website at www.jasonricci.com.