Sherry Rich

Sherry Rich
Sherry Rich in 1995
Background information
Origin	Melbourne, Victoria
Genres	Rock Folk Alternative Country
Instruments	vocals, guitar, harmonica
Years active	1994 – present
Labels	Rubber, BMG (1994—1999) Vitamin
Associated acts	Girl Monstar Wilco The Grapes

Sherry Rich is an Australian alternative country singer-songwriter and guitarist, currently based in Melbourne, Australia.

Rich was born in Lismore, New South Wales and raised on Bribie Island, situated off the coast of Queensland. Her mother was country music performer Noelene Rich who in the early 1960s appeared on radio and television and toured with Australian country music legend Reg Lindsay.

Whilst still in High School, Rich played bass guitar in the band Obscure Alternatives - their name taken after an album by UK pop outfit Japan. Obscure Alternatives also featured her brother Rusty and Keith Urban. They performed at the Bribie Island Festival and also at the Caboolture High School Social. During her college years Sherry (with brother Rusty), formed the Brisbane-based country/rockabilly outfit Cactus Fever (1986-7). They proved popular on the Brisbane live circuit and one time undertook a Sydney tour with The Johnnys. She relocated to Melbourne in 1988, where, as 'Sherry Valier', she formed the all-girl garage rock band Girl Monstar which also featured Anne McCue. Girl Monstar (1988–93) had a strong presence on the Australian Indie music scene, released two vinyl singles that topped the independent charts and the Album Monstereo Delicio before splitting in early 1993 when Sherry traded the Valier moniker for Rich and focused on a solo career. Her backing band 'The Grievous Angels' included some well-known Australian country roots musicians like Steve Connolly and Charlie Owen. She gained a considerable following in the mid-90s - as the 'new country' genre reached a wider audience, touring much of East Coast Australia (including a coveted spot at Tamworth - the country music capitol of Australia). Her debut album from 1998 Sherry Rich & Courtesy Move was recorded in the U.S. with members of Wilco and produced by Jay Bennett. She teamed up with Ashley Naylor from Melbourne band Even to form psych folk pop duo The Grapes, and they released a self-titled album in 1999. In 2000 she released a 'family album' of classic country covers with husband Rick Plant mother Noelene and brother Rusty Berther of Scared Weird Little Guys under the name 'The Rich Family'.