R.I.P., Kid Rock’s Father William “Bill” Ritchie Sr – The Great Advice He Gave Me

As I got to work I learned of the passing of William "Bill" Ritchie Sr., Kid Rock's father. I didn't know him very well, but I'd seen him over the years at shows and he and his wife were always very nice to me.

The one story I wanted to pass along was a piece of advice he'd given me years ago that I never forgot. At a show in the early 2000s, we got to talking about who knows what, but the conversation went to keys to a great marriage. At the time I was fairly newly married and was open to any tips anyone could give me. He said, "You make enough money." (which was debatable, LOL) He went on  "Take your wife out at least once a week. Just you and her."

I never forget that, and we tried our best to do just that. One year, our New Year resolution was to go to a different restaurant every time we went out unless we were with another couple. Over the years my wife and I have gone out countless times, and it's proved to be a sound suggestion.

At last year's Little Caesars Arena shows, I watched from behind the soundboard with Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie. He was all pimped out. Fur coat, top hat, shades, a gold chain around his neck, the whole thing, loving every minute of watching his son's great success. He was in poorer health, but he had that smile and enjoyed every note that Rock and the band played. He beamed with pride.

Before the first show, I went over to him to tell him I'd never forgotten that piece of advice he gave me a couple of decades ago. I refreshed his memory about what he had told me and told him that I still do it to this day but we go out twice a week now. "I go out on Tuesdays and she goes out on Thursdays!" He got a big laugh out of that joke.

You can really tell a lot about a person by looking at what they've raised. Knowing both of his sons and one of his daughters, he and Mrs. Ritchie did a remarkable job raising a great family of quality people.

Godspeed, Mr. Ritchie, and thank you.

Kid Rock played two packed shows at the Little Caesars Arena over the weekend. As always, he poured everything out onto the stage and no one left disappointed. The Twisted Brown Trucker band was on point, ripping through every era of "Rock" from "Devil Without A Cause" material, right through last year's "Bad Reputation" album.

For me, there's a circle of friends I only see at a Kid Rock show. From his team - band, security and others - to mutual friends of mine and Rock's I've interacted with throughout the years. It's always great to catch up!

A big Thanks to everyone who swung by the broadcast location both nights. Awesome to see and hang with everyone!

Thanks to Darryl Brooks for some killer pictures from his seat way up by the stage.

-Meltdown-

https://kidrock.com/

https://wrif.com/shows/meltdown-on-wrif/