Rick Hill Biography 

Over several decades of recording and performing, Rick Hill, a Hutchinson, Kansas-born singer, guitarist, and songwriter, has tackled many topics, including lonesome cowboys, endless highways, and, of course, love. He has played in a variety of country, folk, and rock bands.  
   
It all began at the age of eight when I spied an inexpensive Emenee guitar in the window of the local Western Auto Store. Luckily, it was Christmastime and Santa was kind. I began playing guitar at once, but I never learned to read music until years later. I could never be satisfied with playing one instrument. This caused a great deal of consternation with his high school band teachers and choir teachers.  “You could find me playing drums, trombone, or my sister’s clarinet, instead of my trumpet. Then, there were the times I hid in the soprano section, singing the girls’ parts for them (by ear of course).”  
   
I left my small hometown in Missouri at the age of seventeen.  With stars in my eyes and a guitar on my back I hitchhiked to California where I was able to meet and learn from some of the popular musicians of the early 70’s. In Los Angeles, I joined the American Federation of Musicians Union as a bass guitar player. After getting my chops up to speed, I had the fortunate opportunity to play as a supporting act ; or with  such groups as:  

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band  
POCO  
Crosby, Stills and Nash  

The Drifters  
Buddy Miles  
Johnny Rivers  
Mary Wells  
Silent Messenger  

 I made my first, Gary Young produced, album for Windi Records in Los Angeles in 1974. This recording led to extensive studio session work in California and New York.  

I am also a former member of the Grammy Award winning group, The New Christy Minstrels.  

In between performing and recording I hit the streets as a Producer and Publishing Assistant with:  
   
Sundaze Publishing  
Windi Publishing  
Peer-Southern Publishing  
Brown-Eyed Lady Publishing  
Barry White Music  
   
But, the thrill of on-stage performance in front of an enthusiastic crowd, is, and always has been my passion.  I work hard at my craft and strive to improve every aspect of my performance.  You can’t say we are a power group, a folk group, or a gospel group.  Whether I am playing with my group or playing solo; I weave an interesting mixture of different genres to keep my audience engaged.  It doesn’t matter if the crowd is 50 or 50,000, they are going to get the same level of commitment. 

I put my musical career on hold and joined the Army serving as a commissioned officer in the infantry.  After serving 16 years I returned to my true love of music and the ministry.  

I hope you will come along for the ride. My website is now complete, you can listen to some of the material I have recorded. Some of you may not realize that I have lost three fingers on my left hand, but that has not stopped me in my musical pursuits. (I  call it my one finger melodies) If you don't like the band, you can blame me, because I played and recorded all of the instruments. 

Take a listen at: https://richardhillmusic.com/music 

My Mission Statement is: “Do the most with least and create the best for the rest”.