Chris and Friends

So Rasta Rafiki had only a few shows booked for December of 1996, and Chris was planning on going to Japan after the last Rafiki show on New Year's. He booked three shows at some Morgantown bars and began putting together a set of country-rock influenced music, as he was seriously obsessed with Gram Parsons at the time and needed an outlet to perform that sort of material. Chris asked his friend Tom Batchelor, who was the original rhythm guitar player and vocalist for Rafiki, to join him. They put together a set of music they both enjoyed and soon began wanting a rhythm section to back them up.  Steve Markle, Rafiki's drummer, agreed to play so then only a bassist was needed. Three days before the first gig Chris ran into a friend he had met in 1989 when Jolly Gargoyle was still getting started, Joe Pritchard. He and Kristen Wolverton had a newly formed band called The Recipe (which also then included former Gargoyle drummer Gregg Lowley).  Chris told Joe what he and Tom were planning, and though Joe was a guitarist, he did have a bass and was excited to participate. The next day Chris went over to their house to bring Joe a cassette (yes, a cassette) of the tunes, and Kristen asked if she could sing, too. Voila.  Add water.  Makes its own sauce.

So three shows were played with this lineup and one of the nights' recordings survived, in all its ragged glory.

After Chris left for Japan in 1997, Tom continued to play with Joe and Kristen in the Recipe and was a fulltime member for a time.   It's true that Chris was appearing with the Recipe at Morgantown shows in early 1998, providing lead guitar, pedal steel and banjo support. 

Chris and Friends
12-4-96
Sunnyside Music Garden
Morgantown, WV


Chris Ramey - 12-string guitar, banjo and vocals
Tom Batchelor - guitar and vocals

Set 1
Deep Elem Blues
Stay On The Sunnyside
Fearless
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Juanita
Wild Horses
I Shot The Sheriff

Chris Ramey - guitar and vocals
Tom Batchelor - guitar and vocals
Steve Markle - drums
Joe Pritchard - bass and vocals
Kristin Wolverton - vocals

Set 2
Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You
Dire Wolf
Why Should We Try Anymore?
Tight Connection To My Heart
They Love Each Other
Let The Good Times Roll
Hickory Wind
Six Days On The Road
Last Time
Midnight Moonlight
I Shall Be Released