Donald Eugene Ulrich, best known by the stage name Don Rich (August 15, 1941 - July 17, 1974) was a country musician who helped develop the Bakersfield sound in the early 1960s. He was a noted guitarist and fiddler.
Donald Eugene Ulrich was born in Olympia, WA on August 15, 1941. He was the adopted son of Bill and Anne Ulrich. Don grew up in the Tumwater area at 6th and Ferry on Tumwater Hill. Bill and Anne both enjoyed performing music and soon ...
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Donald Eugene Ulrich, best known by the stage name Don Rich (August 15, 1941 - July 17, 1974) was a country musician who helped develop the Bakersfield sound in the early 1960s. He was a noted guitarist and fiddler.
Donald Eugene Ulrich was born in Olympia, WA on August 15, 1941. He was the adopted son of Bill and Anne Ulrich. Don grew up in the Tumwater area at 6th and Ferry on Tumwater Hill. Bill and Anne both enjoyed performing music and soon began teaching young Don the fiddle, even as early as age three. Bill also constructed a smaller-than-average violin for Don to play. His parents were quite active in finding talent contests and performing venues where Don could play. Don also picked up the guitar in his youth.
Don played both in and out of school, often working the circuit in the local area. Don was only 16 years old when he opened for Elvis Presley in September 1957 at the Tacoma Lincoln Bowl. By 1958 Don was playing regularly in Steve's Gay 90's Restaurant in South Tacoma....
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