Eric "Ricky" McKinnie
Music arranger, drummer, and vocalist Eric “Ricky” McKinnie was born on July 12, 1952, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Sarah Frances McKinnie Shivers and Ed Lee McKinnie. He attended Crogman Elementary School and graduated from Murphy High School in 1970. McKinnie and his brother were compared to Sam and Dave. Drawn to music, McKinnie joined Troy Ramey and the Soul Searchers in 1970. As a member of the Gospel Keynotes in 1972, McKinnie made a gold record, Jesus, You Been Good To Me. Losing his eyesight to glaucoma in 1975, McKinnie continued to perform, often serving as road manager. He formed the Ricky McKinnie Singers with his mother and brother in 1978. They went on to produce two radio programs that are still broadcast on Atlanta’s WYZE 1480 AM.
In 1989, McKinnie was invited by Clarence Fountain of the world-renowned Blind Boys of Alabama to join the group as a drummer, vocalist and tour manager. McKinnie’s success with the Blind Boys of Alabama includes four Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Gospel Album; the Alabama’s Governor’s Achievement Award; the 2000 induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame; the Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama, and the 2002 Dove Award. McKinnie has been recognized by Atlanta’s Mayor Shirley Franklin for his contribution to Atlanta’s new anthem and has received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Atlanta’s Carver Bible College. McKinnie, a talented music arranger, is known as the only known blind gospel drummer and has received endorsements from Sabien Cymbol and Taye Drum Companies.
As a member of the Blind Boys of Alabama, he is a spokesperson for the Feed The Hungry Campaign, and supports the Glaucoma Foundation and the Diabetes Foundation. McKinnie and his family founded the Family and Friends Organization of Atlanta.
A2006.112
Male
10/11/2006
McKinnie
Murphy High School
Crogman Elementary School
Campbell School
Ricky
Atlanta
MCK10
Summer
Georgia
Australia
I'm Not Blind. I Just Can't See.

Georgia
7/12/1952
Atlanta
United States
None
Drummer and singer Eric "Ricky" McKinnie (1952 - ) joined the world-renowned Blind Boys of Alabama as a drummer, vocalist and tour manager in 1989. He won four Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Gospel Album.
Troy Ramey and the Soul Searchers
The Gospel Keynotes
The Blind Boys of Alabama
The Ricky McKinnie Singers
Red
Tape: 1 Story: 1 - Slating of Eric "Ricky" McKinnie's interview
Tape: 1 Story: 2 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie lists his favorites
Tape: 1 Story: 3 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his mother's family background
Tape: 1 Story: 4 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his mother's childhood in McDonough, Georgia
Tape: 1 Story: 5 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his father's family background
Tape: 1 Story: 6 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his siblings and how his parents met
Tape: 1 Story: 7 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his parents' personalities and who he takes after
Tape: 1 Story: 8 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his earliest childhood memory
Tape: 1 Story: 9 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes the sights, sounds and smells of his childhood
Tape: 1 Story: 10 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his mother's singing career
Tape: 1 Story: 11 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls his early interest in the drums
Tape: 1 Story: 12 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls losing his eyesight at twenty-three years old
Tape: 1 Story: 13 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his favorite subjects in school
Tape: 2 Story: 1 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie reflects upon the Civil Rights Movement
Tape: 2 Story: 2 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his foster sister
Tape: 2 Story: 3 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls attending church and singing in the choir
Tape: 2 Story: 4 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls forming a band in high school
Tape: 2 Story: 5 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls performing with Troy Ramey and the Soul Searchers
Tape: 2 Story: 6 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls his glaucoma surgery and pursuing a music career
Tape: 2 Story: 7 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie recalls Willie Neal Johnson and The Gospel Keynotes
Tape: 2 Story: 8 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his phantom sight
Tape: 2 Story: 9 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie talks about society's perception of people who are blind
Tape: 3 Story: 1 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his independent personality
Tape: 3 Story: 2 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his radio show with the Ricky McKinnie Singers
Tape: 3 Story: 3 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie compares gospel music and blues music
Tape: 3 Story: 4 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie lists The Ricky McKinney Singers' albums
Tape: 3 Story: 5 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie details the history of The Blind Boys of Alabama
Tape: 3 Story: 6 - Eric McKinnie recalls joining The Blind Boys of Alabama and becoming their road manager
Tape: 3 Story: 7 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his responsibilities as road manager
Tape: 3 Story: 8 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie talks about The Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy Awards
Tape: 3 Story: 9 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his favorite songs by The Ricky McKinnie Singers and The Blind Boys of Alabama
Tape: 3 Story: 10 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie reflects upon his career
Tape: 4 Story: 1 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie lists the awards he won with The Blind Boys of Alabama
Tape: 4 Story: 2 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his drum equipment
Tape: 4 Story: 3 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his hopes and concerns for the African American community
Tape: 4 Story: 4 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie talks about money management in African American churches
Tape: 4 Story: 5 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie talks about his family
Tape: 4 Story: 6 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie reflects upon his legacy
Tape: 4 Story: 7 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes the screen reader software he uses
Tape: 4 Story: 8 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie describes his community involvement and honorary degree
Tape: 4 Story: 9 - Eric "Ricky" McKinnie talks about the genre of gospel music
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