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Rick has been playing guitar since he was 11 and writing songs since he was about 14. After graduating from Sevier County High School, Rick turned down many offers to join bands as he refused to play in “bar bands”.
In the ‘80s Rick teamed up with Sgt. Robin Smith of the Sevierville Police
Department and formed the group
“Amber Light”. With Rick on guitar and Robin on bass, they both sang using
backing tracks to fill out their sound. They performed all original “Say No to
Drugs” and positive self esteem concerts.
The positive response from the younger children at a “Children’s Day” performance made Rick start thinking about shows for the younger ones, feeling they seem to get left out. Knowing most live performances are for older children and teens, Rick started writing children’s songs.
After Robin moved to Chattanooga, Rick joined “First Light”, a Contemporary Christian band with Dale Phelps playing bass, and Chad Loveday on drums. With vocals by Rick and Dale, they performed original and cover material at various Christian youth events and local churches, and recorded a CD of their original songs. Rick continued to work on his children’s material.
After performing his children’s concert at Wearwood School for a Story Telling Lock-In, and some of his children’s songs at a fund raiser block party, Rick decided Children’s music is what he loves to do.
The children’s songs Rick writes are not the sing-songy “Mary Had a Little Lamb” sounding songs. Rick brings together lyrics for children with a more mature musical composition which give his songs a more grown up sound and feel of what you might hear on the radio today. Rick’s styles range from country to rock and you’ll find yourself singing along from the very first listen.
Rick’s Safety Rulz! Program is a mixture of some of his original children’s songs about safety and participation as children are invited to join him and help demonstrate the importance of safety.