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Rickie Byars Beckwith is an internationally acclaimed singer, composer, lyricist, arranger and recording artist of uplifting, healing music that spans genres and defies classification.Rickie was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina and spent formative years in Atlanta, Georgia as well. She is the sixth of 10 children. "I love my family and the beautiful foundation for growth they provided," she said. "I love God, I love serving the world, I love making new friends, and I love to eat good vegetarian food." A natural and self-taught musician, Rickie started singing at age 3 in Miss Anita Stroud's Tots Choir in Charlotte and has been singing ever since. Early influences include Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield, the music of Motown, Liverpool and Stax Records, and the early gospel music of the Soul Stirrers with Sam Cooke.Before her introduction to Agape, Rickie was lead singer with the New York Jazz Quartet, Pharoah Sanders Ensemble, Ronald Muldrow Ensemble and many other bands. Since Agape, her path has been one of spiritual inspiration: "I have found my niche and my divine.Rickie B.B. (as she is affectionately known) is a multifaceted talent who delivers a dynamic concert as easily as she can facilitate a workshop or a retreat. She has co-facilitated six women's retreats, most recently with esteemed author and spiritual leader Mary Manin Morrissey. A headline solo performer in concerts across America, Rickie is planning an upcoming concert tour "to celebrate all the beautiful songs that inspire those who love my music." A recent composition aired to 15.9 million viewers on the debut of Oprah Winfrey's new TV show, The Big Give. Her songs also have been featured on The West Wing, Strong Medicine, and, most recently, TV One's Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors.Rickie loves to collaborate with her husband, friend, and Agape founder Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith. Together, this powerful partnering developed a workshop combining transformational content with Rickie's healing music, recently presented at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado to unanimous acclaim. They also are among an eminent faculty presenting at the Omega Institute's Being Fearless conference scheduled for April 11-13 in New York City. Rickie looks forward to future creative endeavors with her husband and other like-minded seekers.Whether composing music, directing the Agape Choir, performing solo in concert, facilitating retreats, or bringing prayerful vibrations of sound to an Agape service or her immediate family, Rickie is comfortable with her calling and generously shares her recipe for success: “The ingredients for a great and meaningful life must include joy, gratitude and service to humanity.†It is no wonder that so many who know and love the music that comes through Rickie Byars Beckwith affectionately call her the Angel of Joy................... Rickie BB & Rev.Michael with India.Arie at the Harmony Festival 2009 Rickie BB & Earth, Wind & Fire's Maurice White