RICKY NYE & THE RED HOTS are a four-piece group specializing in New Orleans-style rhythm & blues (a la Professor Longhair, James Booker & Fats Domino), zydeco, straight-ahead blues, funky organ R&B, and traditional rock n' roll and boogie woogie piano. The group consists of Ricky Nye (piano, organ, vocals); Edwin Vardiman (guitar, vocals) who leads his own honky-tonkin' group called "Straw Boss"; the outstanding June Levis (drums), long time drummer with formidable blues artists such as Sweet Alice Hoskins and the late pianist Pigmeat Jarrett; and John Schmidt (bass), formerly with Texans "Johnny Reno & The Sax Maniacs" and Cincinnati's "The Warsaw Falcons". Since its beginning in 1993, the band has performed for major festivals and events including Festival New Orleans (a touring Jazz and Heritage festival); Mardi Gras, Maifest and Oktoberfest events in Covington, KY, and Cincinnati's Jammin' On Main, Riverfest Fireworks and Tall Stacks celebrations. Voted "Best Blues Band" in the Cincinnati Enquirer's 2001 CAMMY Awards, RICKY NYE & THE RED HOTS is a fun and energetic party band in the truest sense of the word. Check 'em out!
