The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Ric Wolkins Inducted 2022 - Class of 1970
Ric Wolkins is a 1970 graduate of Woodward High. Ric learned to play the trumpet from his dad, had his first public appearance at age nine, and he’s been performing ever since!
Ric felt so honored that Keith Biler, his band director, had submitted his name to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Bowl Parade, and the first McDonald’s All-American Band in ’69. He was in the Marching Band at the University of Toledo for one year and then Ric transferred to the University of North Texas where he went on to play lead trumpet in the internationally acclaimed One O'clock Lab Band.
Professionally, Ric has played his horn with some of the greats. For years he toured with Bobby Vinton, entertaining thousands from coast to coast, and as far off as Japan. While classically trained, his versatility has landed him playing opportunities in virtually every music genre. In his role as lead trumpet for The Toledo Symphony Pops concerts, he’s both soloed and shared the stage with
hundreds of popular artists ranging from Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval and Aretha Franklin to Dr. John and Tom Jones. Ric played with the popular rock band The Homewreckers for more than a decade and was a founding member of the Toledo Jazz Orchestra, that just celebrated its 40th anniversary.
For the last twenty years he’s played dozens of Broadway shows in Detroit at the Masonic and Fox Theaters, as well as with a variety of performers at Meadow Brook Amphitheater, Pine Knob, and Ford Field. Ric performs regularly with the Glass City Brass Quintet as well as the Bluewater Kings.
These days when not blowing his horn, Ric’s passion is playing golf and spending time with family and his constant companion Nico the Newfoundland.
Ric lives in Toledo with his wife Karen and couldn’t be more proud of his children Ben (Trisha), Lindsay, and Kiera, and grandchildren Myles and Maxwell.