Based in Pacific Beach, Good Ol’ Friends was formerly known as Chelson McRitchie. After bandleader Don Nelson died from cancer in January, 2008, the band reconfigured its music into a mix of blues, bluegrass, folk, and swing.
The members have been involved with local acoustic groups and organizations such as the Robin Morning Band, Buffalo Brothers Guitars (aka Traditional Music), Old Time Music, San Diego Bluegrass
Society, North County Bluegrass and Folk Club, and Sundays at Amos and Emma’s.
Phil Ritchie, a Point Loma native, sings lead vocals, writes most of the originals, and switches between mandolin and guitar as the song dictates. Steve McHenry, born and raised in Pacific Beach, sings background vocals and plays upright bass in the band, but is better known around town for his harmonica and guitar talents. Pat Chin, hailing from Rancho Penisquitos, sings background vocals and plays guitar. Chin has been playing the flatpicking style of acoustic guitar for over a decade, after years of electric blues and rock.