RICHIE PLASS

I was born in Shawano, WI and raised in Keshena, WI.,
on the Menominee Indian Reservation. My Mom and Dad
were Junior and Lillian Plass. I'm kind of a rarity on
the rez...I have no brothers and sisters. And,
yup...I'm still spoiled!!

I took piano lessons in second and third grades while
attending St. Joe's catholic school on our rez. Kind of 
funny, to this day I can't play a lick on the piano!
Then, as I got into Jr. high school I took guitar
lessons. Then, while in Jr. high I started playing
bass guitar in my first band. We only knew about three
or four songs, but we knew them bad!!

Each Friday night there were dances in Keshena at the
old Legion Hall. This is right around '64-65. We
actually had about four real good bands on the rez at
that time. One night, one of the band's drummer's got
sick, so the leader of their group called up people to
drum. He asked me if I wanted to try it, so away I
went! I played about half an hour or so and the next
day I told my Dad about it. He aksed me if I liked
playing the drums and I told him, "Yup," and that it
seemed real easy to do. The next week he bought me my
first set of drums and I've been playing ever since.

I always credit my Dad with getting me where I am
today, but I learned a lot from Chauncey Webster,
Monie Bear and then my Dad. Little did I know that my
Dad was a drummer, and he not only taught me how to
play, but how to be when I was playing. His best words
to me were, "Remember now, there'll always be somebody
better than you, and there's gonna be someone not as
good. Don't worry about any of that, just have fun
when you play." I still try and do that yet today.

My music has opened many doors for me. I have had the
honor of meeting many, many famous people through
music. I am able to call Jeff Cook of the group,
"ALABAMA" a good friend, along with all the guys in
BR549, my very good friend and motivator, Bill Miller,
mu old buddy Marvin Rainwater, Williams and Ree,
Branscombe Richmond, Arigon Starr, Buddy Big Mountain,
and Tony Rice, just to name a few. I have performed
with many of these people, recorded two CD's with my
childhood friend in "Wolf River," and I have had the
honor of being on at least six other recordings. I
always like to acknowledge and thank my friend, Mitch
Walking Elk when I speak of my music. Mitch is the
first person to take me in the studio. We were on his
release, "Ain't No Simple Thing." I could go on and
on, but these were to just name a few.

Today I'm back with some good ole boys from da rez!!
Waubano and Dave are great friends, brothers and
inspirations. We call ourselves, "Flying Feather," and we've gone back to what we all started out doing...having fun and playing music. It don't get much better than this.

 

I guess my influences have been Gene Krupa, Buddy
Rich, Ginger Baker, Ronnie Tutt, Chauncey, Monie and
of course, my Dad. But probably one of the highest
honor's I've had has been meeting Jim Keltner. I have followed Jim's playing since the 60's and knowing he
likes my playing is trully an honor. I have been
blessed in my music, friends and support from my
family for well over 35 years.

Plus, I just completed my first teaching
position. I taught Native American Studies at Kent
State University in Kent, Ohio.

Now if I could only play piano!!!
Richie