This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 18, 2011 - PROFILE: Rich McDonough has been playing guitar since the age of 12, and has been a professional musician since his early 20s. Over the years, he's worked with everyone from guitarist Tommy Bankhead to the late Keith Doder, and played in bands like Rondo's Blues Deluxe and the Soulard Blues Band.
McDonough has toured Europe and the U.S., and played on quite a few recordings - including Johnnie Johnson's final release. He's also opened for everyone from Albert King and John Mayall to Junior Wells and Robert Cray. But for the past eight years, McDonough has been working with his own band - Rough Grooves.
Backed by the highly talented trio of harmonica player and singer Eric McSpadden, bassist/vocalist Sharon Foehner and drummer Joe Pastor, McDonough has plenty of room to showcase his jaw-dropping six-string prowess. You'll hear Rough Grooves tackle everything from Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy classics to a stunning take on Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing." Rich McDonough adds succinct comments about his background as a preview of the band's upcoming Tuesday, July 19 concert at Civic Park in O'Fallon, Mo.
HOME: St Louis, Mo.
AGE: 47 for me. Rough Grooves has been together about eight years.
INSTRUMENTS: I play guitar. Eric McSpadden plays harmonica and sings a lot of the lead vocals. I've been playing with Eric off and on for 20 years or so. Sharon Foehner plays bass and also sings. And Joe Pastor is on drums.
HOBBY: Playing music. But when I'm not playing guitar... I do like to do a little fishing!
LAST CONCERT ATTENDED: Carolyn Wonderland at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups.
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Gigging a lot ... which is great in this economy.
WHY I DO WHAT I DO: Because there is no plan B. ... It's all I ever wanted to do!
QUOTE: "Never let 'em see you sweat" ... Stole that from an old Right Guard commercial!
O'fallon Jammin' Concert Series
The concert series is scheduled every Tuesday night from early June through August at Civic Park in O'Fallon, Mo. If you're coming west on I-64, exit on K and go north past I-70 to Civic Park Drive. Go west, and you'll see the park on your right. Concerts take place at the Civic Park Bandstand. The music starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 8:30. Admission and parking are free, and concessions are available if you don't bring your own food and beverages. Lawn chairs and blankets are advised. For more information, call the O'Fallon Events Hotline at 636-379-5614.
Remaining concerts in the series:
July 26: The Younger Brothers
Aug. 2: Community Concert band
Aug. 9: Laytham & Holmes
Aug. 16: Fanfare
Aug. 23: Trixie Delight
Aug. 30: Mirage
Terry Perkins is a freelance writer whose coverage areas include music.