GOOD, RICK (1951-)

Rick Good was one of the organizers of the Hotmud Family, for which he sang and played banjo, guitar, and resonator guitar. His clawhammer-style banjo and vocalizing are reminiscent of Uncle Dave Macon. After the breakup of the Hotmud Family, he became involved in acting with the Little Miami Theatre Works, eventually doing a one-man play, The Last Song of John Profitt. He went on to become band leader and co-director with his wife, Sharon Leahy, of a dance and music troupe. Rhythm In Shoes continued for twenty-three years, disbanding in 2010. After that, Rick and Sharon formed Shoefly, a smaller music and dance group that included Sharon’s son Ben Cooper, their daughter Emma Young, and Paul Kovac. They have also been performing in Louisiana with Emma and her husband Linzay Young, a well known Cajun fiddler and singer, as Good and Young. They also sing and play with Sandy and Michael Bashaw as The Elements. Rick was the recipient of an Ohio Heritage Fellowship in 2010. He was the subject of the cover story in the June 2013 issue of Old-Time Music. The cover of the magazine was a Norman Rockwell styled portrait of Rick which was painted by Franklin-based painter and former Hotmud bandmate Greg Dearth. In 2012, Rick issued a CD, The Human Banjo Player, to reflect his many years’ experience.