Centralia Native Jimmy Ritchey Bringing Nashville Acts to the Mint City

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A trio of country music acts will grace the stage at the Chehalis Theatre later this month thanks to the connections of Centralia native Jimmy Ritchey, a music industry lifer who has performed on nationwide tours, helped produce award-winning albums and penned hit songs for some of country music’s biggest stars of the past few decades.

Joining Ritchey on stage at the Chehalis Theatre on July 28 will be Chuck Jones and Robert Counts, a pair of guitar strumming crooners who Ritchey has pulled into his inner circle from the chrome streets of Nashville. 

Counts, 28, is a new signee to the Sony label. This will be his first trip to the Pacific Northwest to perform. 

“We should be there for a couple of days before so hopefully we’ll be able to get out and see the sights,” said Counts, who calls his sound “Rootsy American music,” or “alt-country.” 

For a country musician, Counts has a curious set of influences. He counts Ray LaMontagne and John Mayer as some of his contemporary influences while his childhood was steeped in the nicotine rich sounds of Bob Seger and Van Morrison. “I think about what my parents were listening to in the car. You want to please them so that’s what you try to sound like,” explained Counts.

Much of the show will consist of a full band on stage but Counts says he’s going to reserve some time for some stripped down offerings. “I pride myself on being a songwriter first,” said Count, who strives to keep his sound closer to the classic sound of ’80s and ’90s country music than the beach-centric bro-country that pervades much of the radio sound these days. “In Nashville there’s definitely a commerciality that permeates everything. It’s definitely a shinier version of country music. … It wasn’t until I got here and tried to get on with some of these acts that I started writing some of those types of songs.”

As for Ritchey, he is excited to bring some classic Nashville flavor to Lewis County and is looking forward to a chance to reconnect with old faces in the crowd.

“It’ll be good to see a bunch of friends from back home and be good to get to play some music in front of folks that we know,” said Ritchey. “I think I saw a movie or two there at the theater so it will definitely be an experience to go back and play there.”



Before Ritchey left moss-draped Western Washington for the deep fried pickles of Nashville, he played a part in getting another local country musician started. When Ritchey was 16 years old and working at The Great Music Company he gave guitar lessons to none other than Morton’s own Brandy Clark when she was around 8 years old. It was a couple of decades before their paths crossed again but nowadays they are both big-timing it with Nashville cats of all stripes and working on songs together.

As a songwriter Jimmy Ritchey has garnered admiration for his contributions to George Strait’s hit songs “I Gotta Get to You” and “Twang,” Terri Clark’s “If You Want Fire,” Mark Chesnutt’s “Things to Do in Wichita” and Jake Owen’s career breakthroughs “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” “Startin’ With Me” and “The One That Got Away.” Ritchey has also co-written songs recorded by Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, David Nail, Clay Walker and Trace Adkins. All told, more than 40 of Ritchey’s songs have been recorded by major artists.

Ritchey noted that local musicians Chris Guenther and Paul Anderson will perform as the opening acts. Once Ritchey, Jones and Counts hit the stage, the first hour will be dedicated to an acoustic set before the full band hits its swing.

Ritchey says that writing, producing and performing music has been the main focus of his life, and he is relishing the opportunity to bring some of that residue back to his home community. “It’s a passion of mine to have live entertainment because when I was growing up there was a ton of music. I was playing for money when I was 13-14 years old,” said Ritchey. “It’s nice to see the Chehalis Theatre bringing in some good acts and local people.”

Everyone knows that country music reigns in Nashville, and anyone who’s spent time in Southwest Washington knows that country music has captured the hearts and minds of many web footed, boot wearing Washingtonians as well. Ritchey believes he knows why.

“I think it’s kind of a small town atmosphere. That’s a rural area and a lot of times country music just kind of migrates to those types of people. Loggers, farmers, nine to fivers,” explained Ritchey. “I think we’re gonna have a really good time. Who’s to say who’s going to be on stage by the end of the night.”

General admission tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at Book ‘n’ Brush or online at ChehalisTheatre.com. Doors will open at 7 p.m. The Chehalis Theatre is located at 558 N. Market Blvd. in downtown Chehalis.