Ricky Lee brings acoustic rock, grunge to Grand Strand

A normally quiet area off S.C. 544 in Conway abounded with sound recently as deep rich vocals could be heard from inside Bamboozles Breakroom where Ricky Lee took the stage for a four-hour solo set.

A trail of music beckoned from Lee, 37, a solo acoustic rock artist from Gallipolis, Ohio, who blends southern rock with ’90s grunge, playing a mix of cover songs with some of his original music. He said he markets himself using social media outlets, such as Facebook, Reverbnation and YouTube.

Knowing “exactly his life’s calling,” Lee said he began cultivating his musical interest at age 12, taking his cue from influences that included his father, Rick Roach, a bass player, as well as Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and Sound Garden.

Lee's career has included playing in numerous cover bands and with a self-made band he called 12 Gauge. He made music with bandmates Holly Peters and Jason Cremeans, also of Gallipolis, for six years prior to moving to Myrtle Beach in 2011 with plans to continue pursuing a musical career.

The singer-songwriter and author of singles such as “The Last Time” and “One Day,” Lee continues to write music and lyrics. He is becoming a familiar face on the Grand Strand by playing local venues and pubs throughout Horry County and participating in local music festivals and Myrtle Beach Storytellers night, sponsored by Jason Klocker of Klockers Tavern and Eric Ness of Power Born Rebellion.

When Lee is not performing, he supports other local musicians by attending local shows, and it’s “powerful vocals and pure determination that makes me stand out from other acoustic solo rock acts,” Lee said.

By next summer, Lee anticipates the release of an acoustic album, the collaborative work, Lee said, of himself and local musicians Darryl Cherry and Chris Canada of Jam City Studios. Meanwhile, his plans include hitting the music scene in Myrtle Beach head-on with no intention of stopping anytime soon.

This story was originally published January 1, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Ricky Lee brings acoustic rock, grunge to Grand Strand."