Musician Rick Bedrosian is returning to Utica on Sunday. Here's what you need to know

Rick Bedrosian is returning to Utica.

“Who?” you may ask. Well, trust me, you know the guy, even if you don’t know the name.

Bedrosian redefines the term renaissance man. You may know him as a respected photographer, whose work hangs on the walls of such prestigious venues as the National Baseball Hall of Fame, among others. You may know him as an acknowledged food critic, who leads foodie tours of various parts of New York City and writes for “A Taste of Schenectady and Beyond,” a food quarterly.

Or maybe you’ve recognized him as a world-class filmmaker, whose podcast “I Could Eat” has been garnering awards at film festivals throughout the globe and will appear in the USA on big screens in many cities including New York and Los Angeles in 2024.

But most likely, you’re familiar with Rick as the founder and long-time leader of one of the most successful Irish bands to come out of New York State, the Capital District’s legendary Hair of the Dog.

Bedrosian will put the latter skill on display on Sunday, May 5, as he performs at the Celtic Harp as part of the Harp’s “Irish Music Sundays” series.

The show runs from 1-4 p.m. and there is no cover charge.

Rick has performed and/or recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Marshall Crenshaw, Gene Clark of The Byrds, John Stewart of The Kingston Trio, Marshall Chapman, Blackhawk and the Outlaws

So how does a gentleman with the last name of Bedrosian become an Irish music icon?

“I stumbled into Irish music 40 years ago. A friend’s band needed a singer/bass player for a national Irish package tour,” recalls Rick. “I loved it and stayed with it.”

Building on that experience he formed Hair of the Dog in 1993.

Although probably best known for Irish music, that’s hardly the extent of his musical journey. He’s played in countless bands for over a half century, from rock to country rock to bluegrass, most recently playing the role of George Harrison in the Beatles tribute band, Hey Jude.

“I started on electric guitar but quickly switched to bass when I realized nobody else wanted to do it. It was easier to get into bands,” explains Bedrosian. “When asked to be ‘George Harrison’ in a Beatlemania group, I said yes. Then I had to learn all the licks and buy the wigs. It was not easy.”

As is to be expected with that background, his show will have a large helping of Irish tunes, but you can also catch your favorite tunes from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, Beatles classics, original songs and a whole lot more.

To keep up with all the goings-on in Bedrosian-world, visit his website at www.rickbedrosian.com

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Musician Rick Bedrosian is returning to Utica on Sunday. Here's what you need to know