Ripley started Ripley Guitars in 1982. He created guitars for Steve Lukather, J.J. Cale, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Jimmy Buffett and Eddie Van Halen before moving to Tulsa to buy Leon Russell's former studio called "The Church Studio." In 1994 he formed the country band The Tractors. In 2002 he created his own record label (Boy Rocking Records) to produce artists including The Tractors, Leon Russell and The Red Dirt Rangers. ("Ranger Motel") In 2009 he produced a 20 part radio series on the history of Oklahoma Rock and Roll that aired on Oklahoma public radio stations called:Oklahoma Rock and Roll with Steve Ripley.