Rick Price

Australian singer/songwriter Rick Price has walked the journey many musicians’ dreams are made of. From the very beginning, as a nine year old and the youngest member of his families’ band, music was Rick’s passion. Since those humble yet defining days, set amongst the backdrop of country Queensland, the self-taught artist has forged an internationally praised and respected career spanning more than three decades.

In the early 80’s Rick drove from the small town of Beaudesert, Queensland to Sydney, New South Wales and almost immediately became a working musician, starting out as a backing vocalist for artists such as Marcia Hines, Jon English and Dragon, Price eventually garnered major national attention with Australia’s bicentennial anthem Celebration of a Nation, a duet he performed alongside Keren Minshull.

In 1991 Rick secured a major recording contract with Sony Records. Recorded In Los Angeles under the supervision of famed producer Chris Lord-Alge, Rick’s first studio album, “Heaven Knows” produced several Top 40 hits including “Not a Day Goes By” and the title track, “Heaven Knows”, reaching No.5 and No.6 respectively. Price’s trajectory through the charts continued with the releases, “Walk Away Renee” and the duet with Margaret Ulrich, “Where Is The Love”. The album topped the charts in Malaysia and The Philippines, selling over a quarter of a million copies in South East Asia alone. Following on from its success with the listening public, “Heaven Knows” soon garnered critical acclaim, with the title’s single “Heaven Knows” being voted 1993 APRA Song Of The Year An award bestowed upon artists by their industry peers. That year he was also awarded The Singapore Song of the Year Award.

1993 saw Rick releasing “Songs From The Heart”, aptly named after the huge success of “Heaven Knows” and touring extensively in the USA and SE Asia.

In 1994 Rick enjoyed overseas success in Japan and released a special album, just for the Japanese market, “If You Were My Baby”, which charted extremely well.

Rick’s second studio album, “Tamborine Mountain”, was released in 1995 and although a slight creative departure from the strong pop melodies of “Heaven Knows”, it seemed to strike a similar cord with Rick’s by now established group of fans. Recorded In Melbourne, Australia and produced by native New Yorker, Ben Wisch, its intimate story telling and more rock than pop beats, showcased a burgeoning singer and songwriter who was maturing in his sensibilities. The single, “River of Love” raced to the top of the charts and the album’s success secured Rick’s position as a household name in Australia.

Off the back of the strength of his first two albums, extensive touring and promotional duties saw Rick tour both in his home country and abroad for most of the 1990’s.

In 1999 Rick’s influences from overseas saw him release “Another Place”.

2003 Rick released “A Million Miles” a garage record just for fun.

In 2007 Rick met up with long time friend Mitch Grainger and recorded “2 Up”.

2008 saw Rick take a slightly different direction as he revisited some of his favourite songs, in acoustic mode, with “Revisited”.

Later that year, Rick was approached by an old touring buddy and great friend, Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy invited Rick to tour with him for one year around the USA and Europe. Rick relocated to Nashville where he now resides permanently.

Following the completion of this tour, after being back on stage, playing to a live audience, Rick, feeling inspired and re-energised, jumped straight into co-writing with other artists in Nashville. The result will certainly be a surprise to some of his diehard fans. Love, a recurring theme in his work, where it once spoke of heartbreak and loss, now speaks of hope and transformation.

Due out in mid 2011, “The Water’s Edge” indicates new influences and a broader style for Rick. While there are still echoes of a great pop artist, even more so, country and blues meld beautifully with folk sounds to create an album that transcends genre.

Having achieved his own success, it was only a matter of time before Rick’s assumed the role of co-writer and producer to other artists. Price has worked with Becky Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Adam Brand, Adam Harvey, Tina Arena, Tamara Stewart and The McClymonts amongst many others.

During 2011 Rick starred in a narrative concert, theatrical production “The John Denver Story”. Interpreting the songs and story of John Denver. Backed with full band, The Colorado Quartet, this production explores the personal life and the passions that drove John as an artist and individual. Hand picked for the role, Price’s interpretation of the man and his music has received critical acclaim with seasons already been held in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. During 2012 the production will return to these cities and tour the other major capital cities as well as regionally around Australia.

In just eight weeks Rick performed this show to in excess of 26,000 Australians theatre-goers who all enjoyed Rick’s magnificent voice and his interpretation of John Denver’s songs.

Rick has a busy 2012, launching and promoting his new album “The Water’s Edge”. Rick will tour Australia and SE Asia during February and March and later in the year, he will return to the stage for The John Denver Story which will tour major capital cities and regional areas around Australia.