Rick

Sounding Rick is one of the most interesting acts in music today.The band is built around singer/songwriter and multi-instumentalist Rick Reynolds’ wide catalog of original songs as well as a high energy live show.In 2005 Rick released Unstoppable. Produced by Kasim Sulton (renowned bassist for Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Hall & Oates, Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, Patty Smith, Celine Dion, etc.), the album received international praise from a diverse audience.Also in 2005 Rick released the double album "Evidence".In 2006 Rick took the band on a multi-city tour in Japan. During this time "Live in Japan " was recorded. It was released in 2007.2007 was a busy year that saw not only another Japanese tour but also the release of the acoustic album "Living in the Acoustic Projects".In 2008 Rick recorded two albums, the instrumental "Color Theory" and the 2009 Sounding Rick release "Blabbermouth".In 2009 Rick began recording tracks for his 10th albbum in just five years, "Dinosaur Bones".A little background...Born into a musical family in Marion, Indiana Rick should have known it was going to be music that would direct his life. His great grandfather manufactured pianos and parlor reed organs in central Indiana in the late 1800’s and his grandfather (a music store owner) was President of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), early in the twentieth century.At seven Rick began playing drums. During the early years he would jam with his older brother Rusty (now an accomplished guitarist/songwriter). As their father’s job required the family to move several times, Rick and his brother could always count on each other to occupy their musical interests.Upon arriving in Tampa while in the 10th grade, Rick’s brother taught him how to play basic rythym guitar so he could back him while he practiced playing lead guitar solos. It was also at this time that his brother told him to start singing so he could work on harmonies.Within two weeks of picking up the guitar, Rick was in a local band playing at a partyRick began playing the Tampa bar scene at 15 and quickly gained a reputation for being a guitar guru with a wacky and original solo style (kind of like Thelonias Monk meets Jimmy Hendrix).At 16 while staying at a hotel in Lakeland, Florida, Rick happened to meet Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers who was also staying there. Patrick invited Rick into his room to play some of his original songs for him. This chance meeting and openess inspired him to pursue a career in music.In 1983 he moved to Pittsburgh, formed a band called Portable People with his musicdal partner Phil Platten and released his first single "Passion Beat" which gained heavy rotation on college radio stations throughout the eastern United States.In 1984 Rick and Portable People released two more singles which received regional airplay as well.In 1985 Rick relocated to Philadelphia to incorporate the now famous Philly-Sound. While there, he released two more records which also received regional airplay and formed the band Rick Reynolds' Mistaken Identity.In 1990 Rick moved back to Pittsburgh and formed the power trio The Doghouse Swing with brothers Rick and Bill Reiger. With this band Rick recorded and produced over 60 songs.It was at this time that Rick developed a concept for a television show called the Doghouse Swing, which was a weekly sitcom based on the band. The real key behind the show was that it gave him a chance to feature three or four new songs on each episode (i.e. The Monkeys).Rick co-wrote, filmed, edited and acted in each show as well as using local actors.In 1995 Rick relocated to the Fort Walton Beach, Florida area where he started two bands, Long Neck Jimmy (named after his guitar a 1976 Stratocaster) and Lucky Henry. As power-trios, both bands quickly earned the reputation for being the band to see, as they would play anything from a hard-driving rock song with a 16 bar break of the Flintstones theme in the middle to a knockout blues - funk version of Chim Chim Cherie from Mary Poppins.In addition to his loyal fans who cold always be found at the shows, many local musicians would also attend after their own performances just to hear and see what crazy thing Rick and his guys were playing.At one such show George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic fame wandered in and asked if he could sit in. George stayed for the entire set and a friendship was born.The following week Rick received a call from George's road manager asking if the band would like to become the P-Funk All-stars and do a series of shows in that capacity. These performances were exciting, standing-room-only shows.Rick has also produced numerous albums for other artists including Jo Fingers, Bare Foot, The Pharimoans, Shiver, Emulsifier, Jesse Kinnard, Gene Smith and Fool’s Mistake.