A Musician’s Creative Journey
Cincinnati Guitar Legend Kelly Richey: In Conversation with Ken Broo on WLW 700 AM
On Sunday, March 8th, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Cincinnati radio icon Ken Broo on WLW 700 AM. For those who missed the live broadcast, I’m thrilled to be able to share the full conversation here.
Because of streaming royalty regulations involving the music we played during the segment, the station wasn’t able to post the interview online as part of their podcast series. However, Ken was kind enough to give me the audio to share with my community. We covered everything from the “figure-eight” physics of my right-hand technique to the “brutal” lessons of the 1990s music industry and my plans for returning to the local stage.
Listen to the full interview: Click Here
Interview Highlights: "It's Never Too Late"
The Secret to the Speed
Ken recalled seeing me play 25 years ago at Annie’s, mesmerized by my right hand. I explained that my style was born out of necessity. By developing a “figure-eight” motion, I learned to create an illusion of incredible speed while conserving energy—a technique heavily influenced by the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Reflection on the Journey
Looking back at my 1994 album Sisters Got a Problem, I described my younger self as “unmanageable” and “on a mission from God with a chip on both shoulders.” While that fire fueled my playing, I’ve since learned the value of production maturity and the power of co-writing.
Finding the Definitive Sound
We discussed the evolution of my studio work. While Speechless (2006) was a pure instrumental expression, I believe I finally captured the sound I was chasing on Sweet Spirit (2013). We recorded that album live in the studio over just a couple of days, and it remains the most authentic representation of what I bring to the stage.
Putting a Stake in the Ground
After years of heavy national and international touring, I realized I haven’t been as rooted in the local Cincinnati scene as I’d like. That is about to change. I am ready to step back out of my studio, reconnect with the community, and bring the electric band back to the stage.
Featured Music & CDs
During the interview, Ken highlighted several of his favorite tracks and albums. You can listen to and purchase these directly through the links below:
The Studio Favorites
- Sweet Spirit (2013) – Featuring “Risin’ Sun,” one of Ken’s top picks.
- Speechless (2006) – An all-instrumental journey.
- Carry the Light (2008) – Featuring the fan-favorite “Leave the Blues Behind.”
Live Albums & History
- The Kelly Richey Band Live 1996-2011 – A compilation featuring the best of my early live energy.
- Live at the Blue Wisp (2014) – Featuring Freekbass on bass guitar.
- Sending Me Angels (2001) – Featuring the updated title track of my debut album.
Cincinnati Guitar Legend: Kelly Richey in Conversation Ken Broo of WLW 700 AM interview with Kelly Richey March 8th, 2026
Full Interview Transcript
The following is a word-for-word transcription of the interview aired on WLW 700 AM
It’s a glorious day — the sun is out, it’s warming up, and I’m so happy to be speaking with you. Thanks so much.
Ken Broo:
Aren’t you kind? I saw you for the first time about 25 years ago at Annie’s, and I just sat there mesmerized by how fast your right hand was. I kept thinking, how does she get that to do that and sound so good? Your right hand was just a blur that night.
Kelly Richey:
That is my style. I never felt like I had as much dexterity in my left hand as a lot of players, so I developed my right hand instead. Stevie Ray Vaughan was a huge influence — especially his right hand.
Early on, I figured out that if I use a kind of figure-eight motion, I don’t wear myself out and I can hit everything multiple times. It creates this illusion — it’s speed, yes, but it’s really a style I developed.
Also, being a female player, I had to find workarounds. I’m strong, but not in the same way as a lot of guys I saw playing. Sometimes even something like stomping my boot a little harder gave me more power.
Looking Back: Then and Now
Ken Broo:
I remember your 1994 album Sisters Got a Problem. When you compare that to later work — the growth is unbelievable. If you could go back and talk to Kelly Richey in 1994, what would you tell her?
Kelly Richey:
At that point, I had already been in a band on a major label and seen the industry up close. It was brutal. I chose to be an independent artist, and that comes with both a blessing and a curse.
Back then, I was… unmanageable. I was on a mission from God with a guitar in one hand and a chip on both shoulders.
That fire definitely served me, it was in my playing but I didn’t yet have the maturity in production or song selection. Those are things that really matter, and sometimes when someone else is picking songs, as much as artists resist that, they actually have perspective you don’t.
I also wasn’t a commercial artist. My strength has always been in co-writing. I was drawn to something like Fleetwood Mac — where I could step out and shine for part of the show, but not carry everything on my shoulders alone.
And honestly? I’d tell that younger version of myself:
Follow your heart — and be glad you don’t know what’s ahead.
Because if you knew how hard it was going to be, you might not have had the stamina to do it.
Finding the Sound
Ken Broo:
You once said that Carry the Light (2008) was the first album where the band sounded the way you truly wanted. Looking back now — was that the destination?
Kelly Richey:
It was part of it, but the truth is, there’s always a difference between what’s possible in the studio and what’s probable on stage.
In the studio, anything can happen. Then you get on stage with a three-piece band and find out what really works.
Speechless was the studio version of my guitar expression. But I think the sound I was really chasing came together on Sweet Spirit.
We recorded that record live in just a couple of days. I had done all the demos beforehand, so we knew the parts. Then we just set up and played. Every song from that record went straight to the stage and that’s where it really came alive.
Live vs. Studio
Ken Broo:
You’ve released several live albums, and they really capture what you do. Is live performance where you feel most at home?
Kelly Richey:
Yes — especially with a three piece band. That’s where I have total freedom.
When we record multiple nights and pull the best moments, that really captures the magic. It sums me up as a guitar player.
That said, my original passion was more in songwriting and production — that folk-rock, Fleetwood Mac / Heart kind of sound. And now I finally have a studio where I can really dive into that again.
Returning to the Stage
I do want to get back out and play live electric again. I love playing solo acoustic, too.
I moved here in 1997 and started touring immediately — across the country and abroad — so I never really got rooted in the local scene. I only played locally when I was off the road.
Now, I’m at a point where I want to step back out — reconnect, rebuild, and see what’s happening again. This feels like an opportunity to put that stake in the ground.
Teaching Thousands
Ken Broo:
Have you ever stopped to think about how many guitar players you’ve taught — and how many have gone on to perform or build careers?
Kelly Richey:
Thousands.
That sounds wild, but when I was in my early 20s, I had 30-40 students a week at a small shop in Lexington. Guitar players would come in with these big egos, and the owner would say, “Here’s your teacher.”
And they’d look at me and say, “That’s a girl.”
And he’d say, “Yep. Get downstairs.”
A Last Word
Ken Broo:
You are, without question, a legend. I really hope you get back out there performing — I think you’d be surprised how many people would come to see you.
Kelly Richey:
Thank you. I really appreciate that — and I appreciate the conversation. It means a lot to be given a voice as an artist.
Closing Thought
It’s never too late.
