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BIO
Rick Parker’s love of dance music started in his last year of High School listening to Trance and Happy Hardcore mix tapes. He was amazed at how the tunes were blended together, it was this that made him buy his first set of decks at the age of 17. Rick started to teach himself the tricks of the trade through hours of practicing, driven by pure passion for the music he plays which was originally the harder side of dance.
In June 2002 Rick was asked to play his first live set in Bar Beba (Macclesfield) – One problem, they wanted House. So for this gig, playing with records borrowed from a very good friend, he played it, and this was where the start of his love for house music began! With a Trance and Hardcore mixing background this brings a unique style to the way he mixes Funky House.
2 years later after moving to Manchester and building up his House record collection he started to promote himself. The main point came in October 2004 when entering DJ Idol 2004 which was run by Jon Besant (2Risque) held at The Bar Cafe on Deansgate Locks in Manchester. Whilst playing in the semi-final, Rick was spotted by 2 people, firstly a Promoter from the Cobra Club in Oldham who promised Rick everything. Due to this Rick dropped out of the competition. 3 weeks later Rick was let down by the promoter who just disappeared. Luckily, the Second was the owner from a new bar/club opening in 2005 Called 14 Lloyd St who took Rick’s details.
In March 2005 Rick received the call from the owner of Lloyd St and thus got his first residency at this 900 capacity venue. Playing 5 hour sets Every Friday and Saturday night, with his unique style of Funky House getting great support every week. Rick’s ability to read the floor is spot on, keeping it constant all night long.
In the September Rick was asked by Jon Besant to enter DJ Idol 2005. This was to be held at Revolution (Parsonage Gardens) Manchester. Rick accepted to do so, successfully getting through to the final in December. The following month Rick learnt that the owners of 14 Lloyd Street had decided to sell up and were closing at the end of January 2006 so this meant he had to find something new.
Rick’s main ambition has always been to play in Manchester’s Gay Village. It was with thanks to Anni Hogan (who wrote, arranged and produced Marc Almond for 9 years, and is also Resident DJ at Spirit Bar - Canal Street – Manchester) that he finally got his chance.
In February 2006 Rick dropped a demo into Anni at Spirit and a week later was playing the only slots she could give him, mainly covering for resident DJ’s who were away and on Bank holidays. Whilst playing one Bank Holiday Rick was spotted by the Manager of Via Fossa (newly refurbished 620 capacity bar/club on Canal-Street Manchester) and was given his new residency every Sunday night which is taking off in true style.
Playing between venues Rick is now building up his reputation greatly throughout Manchester’s Gay Village.
Music styles played by Rick – Funky/Vocal/Disco/Electro and Dirty House