InsaneJournal

Andrew Ricketts was born on March 10, 1982, to parents Elizabeth (nee Klein) and Allan Ricketts in Providence, RI. Born and raised in the city, Andrew grew up physically, but not in spirit. A kind soul and always willing to connect with people on a visceral level of feelings, emotions and sensitivity, the boy has yet to master the practical side of every-day life. Often in debt due to his inability to grasp the material side of things, Andrew relies on friends and family to cover his shortcomings as a not-so-young adult.

Andrew is a musician by trade. The love affair with music started at a young age, when he got a set of toy drums from his father at the tender age of three. Andrew had no idea what rhythm was, but, boy, did he love banging on those things! From then on, his father always encouraged the kids to play instruments and listen to music. At some point, their wake-up calls consisted of Beethoven's symphonies. By the age of five, Andrew had a guitar in his hand and a song in his heart... okay, maybe not really, but music seemed to be the universal language between people, and nothing made Andrew happier than being able to connect with others on such a bare and essential level.

He is a drum player and, yes, that is how he makes a living. He has been with his band since high school times and, though they're not really breakthrough stuff, they are not too concerned with getting any better, since most of the guys are just interested in playing music and getting with groupies. The band travels around the state and picks up five to eight bigger gigs a month (if they're lucky!). So far, in about ten years of their "career", they have put out one home-made independent album, which is sold at their shows. They have been toying with the idea of actually paying for a studio for the second album they've been working on, but it is a work in progress.

Personality-wise, Andrew can be a bit of a goof, but he hides a more serious side and deep down enjoys connecting with people in a raw way. He writes music, but that is a private process. In social situations, he is pretty much the jester of the group. Andrew likes having fun and he is the kind of guy who goes out of his way to be nice and make people smile. Unfortunately, being a big child has its disadvantages and often times Andrew's efforts to be liked are a bit too much and end up backfiring.

The guy is big on family - and, how could he not be, when he lives a mere block away from his mom and two crazy sisters? Living close to their mother might drive a lot of grown men wild, but Andy enjoys it. He likes being close in case his family needs him. And after what they've been through, Andrew thinks it's only natural to keep a close distance.

In 2001, Elizabeth, his mom, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Where before the woman had been strict, uptight and slightly cold, the disease put the family through a life-changing trial that readjusted all the relationships between mother and siblings alike. Elizabeth became more openly affectionate and lenient with her children and it was an emotional ride for two years, before she was finally given the clear by the doctor. The cancer has been in remission for about eight years now, and ever since then she's had a real thirst for life and has goals that she's trying to complete. Life is now filled with Tuesday nights family dinners that turn into chaos and conflictual relationships between the siblings, on top of facepalming over mom's new-found pastimes, which include learning to use the internet, dating younger guys and generally embarrassing her kids without even knowing it!

Allan, the dad, left the country after a quick divorce, brought about by an affair on his part. Because of this, Elizabeth basically raised the kids on her own, with the help of Allan's brother and very little from her parents. Currently, the Ricketts family consists of a caring mother and four siblings, Andy being the second oldest, after a 33-year-old responsible brother and preceding two beautiful little girls, ages 26 and 21.