About
Soulful Gospel Artist and Drummer
Eric “Ricky” McKinnie is a member of the legendary international quartet, The Blind Boys of Alabama. As a group, the Blind Boys take their message of hope to audiences around the world. But when they aren’t traveling and performing together, Ricky shares his inspirational and more personal testimony through public speaking engagements and in concerts where he performs alone or with musicians of his choice. McKinnie is a soulful vocalist and drummer who was raised in an Atlanta home that was always filled with the sounds of music.
His mother, Sarah McKinnie Shivers, performed with popular local Gospel artists, including Gene Martin and Marvin Anderson, and she kept young McKinnie involved in music throughout his childhood. Following his mother to the concerts she performed, singing in the choirs she directed, and at her prodding, took drum lessons in elementary, high school and college.
It wasn’t long before McKinnie's musical experience and his ever-developing talents as a drummer and vocalist led to opportunities for him to perform with notable gospel groups including The Soul Searchers of Atlanta, The Gospel Keynotes of Texas and The Blind Boys of Alabama. In 1989, at the invitation of the legendary Clarence Fountain, Ricky became an official member of the Blind Boys. Together, they have earned 6 Grammy Awards, 4 GMA Dove Awards, and are recipients of 3 Lifetime Achievement Awards, and numerous accolades and honors.
HALL OF FAME
AMERICA'S LONGEST RUNNING GROUP
Quartet Hall of Fame
Notable member of Blind Boys of Alabama
His extraordinary talents are also displayed through his own personal endeavours. 2024 marked the re-released second album “Never Had Love Before” by The Ricky McKinnie Singers under the umbrella of the Southland Music Label.
Inspired By
In addition to his achievements with the Blind Boys, Ricky earned a gold record in 1975 with the Gospel Keynotes of Tyler, Texas for the album Reach Out and song “Jesus You’ve Been Good to Me.” That same year, the late Honorable Mayor Maynard Jackson, and The City of Atlanta proclaimed May 10th “Ricky McKinnie Day.”
McKinnie loves his hometown and stays active showing support whenever he is home from travels. In 2005, Ricky was a contributing vocalist on The Brand Atlanta Campaign’s new anthem, “The ATL”, which was produced by Dallas Austin and featured other Atlanta-born or –based artists, including T-Boz of TLC, Monica, 112, Sammie, Jagged Edge, and Rehab.
His commitment and dedication to his craft garnered relationships and developed endorsements with Sabien Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumstick Company, and Taye Drums.
ENDORSEMENT PARTNERSHIPS
WITH:
“Amazing Grace is the song that tells the story of my life,” says McKinnie. “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. Unexpected things happen in life, but whatever happens, whatever challenges we face, God’s grace is sufficient. It is sufficient for everyone.” McKinnie learned about God’s sufficient grace first-hand after losing his eyesight to glaucoma in 1975.
“I was with the Gospel Keynotes of Texas then, and we had just received a Gold Album for a song called Jesus You’ve Been Good to Me from the Reach Out album , and we were flying kind of high. Before I went to bed that night, I noticed my vision was dim. But I wasn’t too concerned; I had a lot of scar tissue from a surgery I had [for glaucoma], and so dim vision happened from time to time.” When Ricky awoke the next morning, his sight was completely gone, but he believed the loss was temporary. “I said to one of my friends, ‘I can’t see, man, but I know it’ll be alright in a couple of days.’ So we kept traveling and I kept looking for my sight to come back.”
Not long afterwards, Ricky received a diagnosis that didn’t make sense to him. “My doctor kept telling me, ‘Ricky, you’ve lost your sight,’ and I’d say, ‘Doc, look, you’ve got to be kidding me because I know I can see. When I get up in the mornings and go to wash my hands, I can see the faucet, I can see my hands; and when I play the drums, I can visualize the drums in my mind.”
Amazing Grace
The song Amazing Grace exemplifies Ricky’s life’s vision. Grace cannot be earned because God’s grace is given freely. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
Ricky’s motto is, “I’m not blind, I just can’t see. I lost my sight, but not my vision!“ He continues to travel and perform with notable groups and choirs.
A legend that supports the arts community
Our Vision:
Spread Inspirational Music
At The Ricky McKinnie Experience, our mission is to spread inspirational music that touches the hearts and souls of audiences worldwide. We strive to share messages of hope, love, and perseverance through soulful vocals and captivating rhythms, ensuring that the essence of the music resonates in every performance.
With a commitment to preserving the rich traditions of various genres of music and infusing them with contemporary elements, we aim to uplift spirits and bring people together through the power of music. Our vision is to continue spreading the transformative impact that music can make, connecting with diverse audiences and fostering a sense of unity and joy.