FM
Biography
Ralph Carney (Akron, Ohio, January 23, 1956 – December 16, 2017) was an American singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. While his primary instruments were various saxophones and clarinets, Carney also collected and played many instruments, often unusual or obscure ones. Carney got his start as a professional musician as a founding member of the band Tin Huey. He is perhaps best known for his long association with singer Tom Waits, and has worked with a vast number of others as a session musician.
Carney grew up in Akron, Ohio, and listened to music on a windup record player. His father and an older brother and sister worked in polyester research. Carney showed an early interest in art, but turned to music in the eighth grade. He started learning five string banjo, violin and harmonica and played bluegrass and country blues. At age 15 he started to play saxophone. He also worked in the mall record store.
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