About

The Ripcords began as a project put together by Rex Lyons to explore some of his favorite music using some of his collaborators in The Roustabouts, another renowned roots band in CNY fronted by Dugan Henhawk.  Dugan and Rex go way back to CNY’s seminal punk and roll band, Whiteboy and the Wagonburners, that set CNY afire in the late 80’s and early 90’s.  Rex’s cousin, Irv Lyons Jr. was brought in to play guitar and sing along with Whiteboy alumni Phil Regan on the drums.  Jay Gould, who holds down the bass, (also a Roustabout) and Tom Witkowski on keyboards round out the lineup.  Both are veterans of the local music scene. 

The Ripcords have performed across the northeast to crowds in New York City and Boston as well as their home in Central New York for just about twenty years. Some of the many stages they've graced include: the New York State Blues Festival, Taste of Syracuse, Central New York Jazz Fest, the Inner Harbor Block Party, Performance Harlee Davidson, Stage of Nations Blue Rain ECOfest and the Ganondagan Native American Festival.  Outside of New York The Ripcords have played Saratoga Race Track, Brockton Blues Festival - MA & EarthDance - Napa Valley, CA. The band and its members have opened for and played on bills with such noted musicians as Santana, Steve Miller, Blues Traveler, Ry Cooder, Rick Derringer, Phish, John Lee Hooker, Edgar Winter, Leon Russell, Kim Simmonds, Terrance Simien, Gene Taylor, Bill Kirchen, and Chip Taylor over the years. Steve Palumbo joined the group November 2016 as the new drummer.