A Brief Biography

by Robin Lockwood

 

Rick Diaz, is one of those rare artist you cannot pigeon hole into one category. The singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, actor, crosses a thin line between Pop, Country, Folk, Gospel, and Rock. A romantic at heart, it is none more evident than on his new recordings of Crazy About The Moon, Daisy Of The Yellowstone, Julian Lady, and Saguaro Moon. The latter was co-written with his friend, and mentor, legendary guitarist James Burton. They will be found on his upcoming album “A Song For All Seasons”. A final addition to the album is “Hey LittleLindsay” which has a distinct Everly Brothers feel to it. I wrote, and played it on tour three years ago, and it has gone over very well. I had the pleasure of meeting Phil Everly a few years back, he wound up giving me an impromptu class on songwriting. He was a real gentleman, and sweet heart of a guy. This will be my tribute to him,” he fondly recalled. He rounds out the album with the motownish, Fallin’ For You, and the barrel racing anthem Rodeo Girl. Sticking with the theme of horses, is his tribute to the Horse Whisperer himself Buck Brannaman, “He Whispers Their Name”. Since childhood I’ve had a great passion for horses. I come from a long line of ranchers from my mom’s side of the family. Buck has taught me a new way of looking at horses, and life in general. It’s humbling when you realize how much you don’t know, about something you love so much. God has really blessed me with some wonderful friends, and teachers along the way. You never stop learning. I only hope I can live long enough, to get some of these things down right. I saw Buck the other day, and he told me to “prepare for the unexpected, and when I ride Daisy to dance with the her”. he said with laugh!.

 

Lake Tahoe DJ, Bill Kingman once called, ”If They Only Knew” a modern day version of Roger Millers King of The Road. In a recent interview Kingman asked Rick what he listens to on the radio.” It’s very eclectic, Norah Jones, Michael Buble, Miranda Lambert, Train. I love the classics, like The Eagles, Beatles, Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond, The Everly Bros., The Beach Boys, The Mama’s and The Papa’s, Herb Alpert, and John Fogerty. Anything with James Burton playing on it, like Elvis, and RickNelson. I listen to songs in Spanish as well, all styles. I just love music period, he said with a big smile!”

 

Just released is his first ever Christmas CD, “My Memories of Christmas”, a smooth blend of seven original selections and five standards. Including the holiday rocking “I’m Gonna ShakeThe Decorations Right Off Your Christmas Tree, which is picking up national air play along with Merry Christmas From Tahoe, Julian Lady, and Christmas In Starlight.He recently has done a Christmas tour around the album. He’s taken it toLake Tahoe,historic Julian, CA, and December Nights at San Diego’s world famous Balboa Park, the last four years.

More concerts and a Christmas Tour, plus some performances on horseback are in the works, to coincide with the release of the new CD.

Also in the works is a movie “The Long Adventure Home” a screen play he wrote, were he plays a singer dropped by his record label, and he hits the rodeo trail where he was once a collegiate champion. “This we be a lot of fun, I’ll get to do all the things I love to do, ride Daisy, and work with some talented friends of mine. It’s a story about hope, love and not giving up on oneself!  “ Rick said with a big smile.

 

The native San Diegan began his career while living in Lake Tahoe when he was 20 years old. I‘ve met so many people in Tahoe, who‘ve gone on to become a big part of my life. My late manager Bob McClure, Glen Campbell, James Burton, Tahoe D.J. Bill Kingman, Carl Jackson, and former Harrah‘s orchestra leader, the late Brian Farnon. My first recording session, was in Brian’s home studio in the Tahoe Keys. All the players were from the local orchestra‘s, boy was I nervous. But they were so kind to me and got me thru the session. This was my introduction to the world of big time entertainment. It was an amazing time for me, as well as a great learning experience.” he fondly recalls.

At times he appears to have lived a fairytale life, but it has not come without its share of heartaches, and disappointments. Just ask anyone who’s been down this road before him. It’s to his credit, and his undying faith in his God given abilities, that he pursues his craft with that same big smile, and passion that he started out with. “Hey I’m alive and in good health, and I get to do the things I dreamed about as a kid, how cool is that!” he recently said in an interview.

 

An energetic and charismatic performer, he combines his easy going nature and sense of humor, with his rich baritone vocals, to appeal to audiences both young and old. To watch Rick perform is like visiting with an old friend in your living room. Life has turned into an interesting journey for this once shy kid from Paradise Hills, who was more famous for breaking windows with an errant baseball shot from his bat, than for his love of music!

For more info on Rick, check out his website at www.tahoecitymusic.com.

 

Contact Info:

Tahoe City Productions, Tahoe City Music Publishing, High Sierra Records

P.O. Box 981 Tahoe City, CA 96145

(858) 245-4263/Email/ tahoecityproductions@gmail.com or tahoecitymusic@aol.com

Bookings: ryan@sdav.com

 

Below is a partial list of some of the artist’s Rick has appeared or worked with in concert, films, music, television, and personal appearances:

Clint Black       Clint Eastwood           The Hagar Bros.

James Burton    Parmer Fuller            Emmy Lou Harris

Glen Campbell   Richard Farnsworth      Sons of the San Joaquin

Nickel Creek      Burt Kennedy              Mike Pollack

Brian Dennehy   Michael Martin Murphy     Dwight Yoakam

 

An avid sportsman, Rick has participated in a number of Rodeos, Team Penning’s, Golf Tournaments, and Single Action Shooting events through out the Southwest.  He is a former All Around Cowboy Champion at the Pikes Peak Celebrity Rodeo in Colorado, Springs, CO.