Rick Epping joins me on episode 37. 

Rick worked for Hohner USA for 18 years and played a pivotal role in improving the quality of their harmonicas back to their former glory. While at Hohner, he also developed the XB40, the all-bending harmonica. Rick is also an expert customiser of harmonicas and can be credited with the creation of embossing reeds to improve playability.

Rick has a real passion for playing Irish music, to such an extent that he even moved to Ireland so he could immerse himself in the music. He has released several albums with notable Irish groups for us to enjoy his traditional music playing.

Rick is also adept at playing harmonica on a rack, perhaps with the less orthodox instruments of the concertina and the banjo.


Links:
Article by Rick on harmonica types used in Irish Music:
https://www.celticguitarmusic.com/irishharm.htm

Article on reed longevity:
https://www.bluesharmonica.com/rick_eppings_paper_reed_longevity_revisited

Pat Missin page on the XB40:
https://www.patmissin.com/reviews/xb40.html

Easy third tuning:
https://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5490922.htm

Iron Lung:
https://www.brendan-power.com/IronLung.php

Willie Clancy Summer School:
https://www.scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com/

HarmonicaUK Virtual Chromatic Weekend:
http://harmonica.uk/HUKBlog/chromatic-weekend/

Videos:

One man show for Irish Cultural Centre:
https://irishculturalcentre.co.uk/2020/04/28/music-rick-epping/

YouTube workshop on harmonica maintenance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKDUhAgmRg

Another harmonica maintenance workshop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIsHOn-65uY&t=1608s

Session that Brian McDonagh, Philip Duffy and I held every Tuesday for 15 years:
https://youtu.be/Lt-BUD37SwA

NHL Concert: Buckets Of Rain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRvTwBYng4A


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

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