Up Close with Rick Sharp

(Interviewed on January 19, 2005)

Genre:  Outlaw Country

PC: When did you begin your music career?

RS: My Dad tried to start me at three years old, but I didn't catch on 'till I was about eleven...we used to play dances at old rural school houses, or just have some folks over for cake, coffee and music. I miss those days...I guess that's where I got my Traditional Country roots.

PC: Who are your main musical influences?

RS: Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Lefty Frizzell, George Jones, Carl Smith, and so on...to me the old country is the best.

PC: Where can someone get a copy of your CD's?

RS: I've got music on demand at my website, http://www.ricksharpcountry.com/ , or you can also order the hard copy there. And you can find it in some stores.

PC: If you had to pick a couple of songs you have written or recorded that you are most proud of, what would they be and why?

RS: Well, there's a song on my latest CD called "Let the Children Play"...I think it has a strong message for us concerning divorce and children, sometimes they are the ones that pay the biggest price. Also the song, "In A Town He Helped Build, They Don't Remember His Name"...there are so many people who have done so much for Country Music, but you never hear their music on the radio or at the award ceremonies...I think new country could take some direction from the old ones...It used to mean something to be a Country Artist, there was a certain way they carried themselves, a certain way they acted...Nowadays there is such a radical attitude that has been brought to the table, it turns me off, and believe me, it's not easy to do that! I guess the thang is, I remember when I could let my kids watch CMT and not worry about content.

PC: Where would you like to be in five years?

RS: Wherever this old road takes me...I just get up every day and do what is put in front of me, and I've been very blessed to be able to do what I love and keep the kids fed at the same time. I try not to put a lot of expectations on this business, just rollin' along on this path is good for me, I guess I'd like to get there, but I sure don't want to miss the journey. 

PC: Do you have a preference when it comes to playing, whether it's acoustic or electric?

RS: Electric is my thang...amps and electric guitars have always fascinated me, from watching the tubes on my Dad's amp slowly light up to actually playing different guitars and amp to get different sounds, different moods.

PC: What's your fondest career memory so far?

RS: My Gosh, there are some many things...I would say the tour of Scandinavia in 2002 with Universal Sound Records is right up there at the top of the list, meeting so many new people was truly and wonderful experience!...And doing the video with Travis Tritt was a hoot!

PC: If you could do an duet with anyone who would that be and why?

RS: Probably Willie Nelson, I'd sure like to do some of the old Outlaw tunes with him...I do love to do Waylon's music! They had some magic going' on back then, something that will never happen again, I'm afraid.

PC: If not for music, what would you be doing as an career?

RS: The computer really intrigues me, it's the closest thing to a guitar I know of...no matter how much you learn about it, there's always another lesson down the road. I really enjoy building websites, it's similar to creating music. 

PC: What CD would be found in your CD player right now?

RS: If I'm not critiquing my own music, you can bet there will be OLD COUNTRY in there...or maybe a steel guitar or guitar instrumental CD.
Music
 

Rick Sharp's Music
"Hello, I'm Rick Sharp" CD

  1. Country Bumpkin
  2. I Can Touch you when I Dream
  3. Blues Man
  4. In A Town He Helped Build
  5. Old Habits
  6. Let The Children Play
  7. I'm Goin' To Heaven On My Harley
  8. He's Hell When He's Well
  9. I'm Goin' To Hell, Just Like You Told Me To
  10. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

"My Tribute To Waylon" CD

  1. Dukes Of Hazzard
  2. Luckenbach, Texas
  3. This Time
  4. Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line
  5. Goodhearted Woman
  6. Green River
  7. Lonesome On'ry and Mean
  8. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies
  9. That's What You Get For Lovin' Me
  10. Amanda

Bio

Rick Sharp Bio

Management-Walter Haynes Productions

Universal Sound Records

Rick Sharp was born in Emmett, Idaho to a family full of musical talent. At the age of 3, Rick began his recording career on the family's old reel-to-reel recorder and according to Rick, it began an experience he truly enjoys until this very day.

When Rick was 10 years old, his family moved to Northwest Oklahoma, where he lived and performed with the guidance of his father Ted, also an accomplished musician. Rick played his first gig on a plastic Futaphone and then moved on to sax at the monthly jam where he caught the "Guitar Bug", when he got to hold a Stratocaster. He wound up with a Silvertone Hornet and by the age of 14 was an accomplished guitar player and has kept getting better and better. His guitar savvy rapidly became a feature with his dad's band, " Ted Sharp and the String Busters " And after paying his dues in his youth with them Rick struck out on his own to take his music to the road.

There on the road he began playing and singing throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Rick then joined a band, "The Bandits", in Nashville, TN and it turned out this important move allowed Rick to expand by touring many of the 48 states. His name and accomplishments were growing, and as fate would have it, he developed his now famous "Outlaw" style and heart that his fans have grown to love today.

Rick landed several dates at the legendary "Reo Palm Isle" in Longview, Texas and this proved to be a golden opportunity for exposure as he opened shows for Mel Tillis, Keith Whitley, and Willie Nelson. Rick's guitar and rich Baritone vocals were now in demand and he opened for Ricky Van Shelton, Johnny Rodriguez, David Frizzell, Tony Douglas, Freddie Fender and Rodney Crowell and even more. During this time is when he began to shine like the star he truly is.

Rick is now living the beautiful Smoky Mountains where he is performing his material and doing his Tribute to Waylon Jennings, in Pigeon Forge and venues across the country. And in the last two years Rick has become quite popular in Europe. He has signed with Universal Sound Records, and is looking forward to doing extensive touring in Europe, Australia and worldwide.

Most of all he loves his family and recently stated, " my real drive is my family, they give me so much support and it would be nice to give them anything they wanted, but I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love and give them everything they need" No matter what Rick has done in his life, it seems his strong roots in music have always led the way to a path in life devoted to his family and country music.

For More Information on Rick Sharp visit his web site at www.ricksharpcountry.com

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