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You tired of canned computer music, by computer programmers instead of real musicians playing real instruments?

Looking for real stories, by real artists w/memorable melodies?

Then this is the right site! 

Welcome to Rick 'N Friends! Southern Rock, by real artists the way music was always meant to be done! 

This album's all meat no fillers, don't believe us, buy it & see, you won't be disappointed!

Rick and Friends - The Album

Rick and Friends by Rick and Friends

Rick and Friends

Rick and Friends

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  1. 1
    Forever Home 3:32
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  2. 2
    Don't Look There 3:28
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  3. 3
    River Creed 3:09
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  4. 4
    Sweet Jackie 3:02
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  5. 5
    Say It Again 3:52
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  6. 6
    Living Day To Day 3:48
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  7. 7
    Book Of Wreckage 3:13
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  8. 8
    Smokey Whiskey 3:04
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  9. 9
    Stone Hearted 3:25
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  10. 10
    Cold Steel Blues 3:07
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  11. 11
    Let It Fade 4:02
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  12. 12
    Shakin Sally 3:52
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General Discussion

You can talk about anything here.

105/13/2022 by PatrickPiold

Songwriting

Share thoughts about the process and how to get the best results

605/06/2022 by Rick Drevet

Name Our 2022 Album

We will be releasing our full album this summer. We would love to hear your ideas for the Title and concept.

105/13/2022 by Cheeyl

Song Comments

Please join our conversation about the songs. The lyrics are heartfelt stories, put together in such a way, that rivals the greatest story tellers, minus any fluff or fillers. These are tracks that will make you think. These are tracks that make you feel. These are tracks that make you tap your foot or jump right up and want to cut a rug!

1304/16/2022 by Boomer

Pictures & Reviews

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Livin' Day To Day https://www.thesoundswontstop.com/rick-drevet-livin-day-to-day

 A Rock Power Ballad From Rick Drevet Hits The Sweet Spot

Out of all the singles Rick Drevet drops, you sort of always want to hear a power ballad of sorts. 

You want that true grit southern rock style to burst out into a slower, ballad style track that still keeps to that real deal classic rock Rick Drevet feel and swagger. 

Well, it's finally here and it's exactly what we expected from this veteran rocker. 

Drevet pulls out another outstanding and impactful rock single to add to his arsenal with the help of songwriter Mark Pappalardo, and it's incredibly relatable and features some killer changes to go along with that passionate vocal performance. 

You can hear acoustic guitars, organs, pianos, and more just creating a whole new atmosphere and painting an intense picture of life and what it may bring day to day. 

"Livin' Day to Day" is the title of this release and it really does make you feel like you want to talk to the artist himself just to say "hey man, you get it". 

Because he does get it and he can take that and swirl it into song like no other. 

Drevet has elements of country and Americana but it's really all southern classic rock with twang and guts. 

The chorus is thick with keys and string sections that feel warming as the artist belts out. 

Drevet really has a way of taking topics that we all want to talk about but never really do, and just shouting them out into the air with no hesitation. That's why these songs can be so powerful. 

Come live day to day with Rick and Friends.

 

DON'T LOOK THERE:  https://www.indie-spoonful.com/post/rick-drevet-don-t-look-there

Rick Drevet & Mark Pappalardo - "Don't Look There" 

Reviewed by Aaron Cloutier 

"Rick And Friends," a collaboration between guitarist/songwriter Rick Drevet and drummer Mark Pappalardo serve up a heaping slab of rock on "Don't Look There." A chest-pounding anthem infused with a southern swagger mixed with the hi-energy style of 80's arena rock the likes of Bon Jovi or even Def Leppard. The production style especially brings to mind the aforementioned bands as the mix is very sleek and doesn't skimp on those time-based effects that gave those classic records of the era their signature sound. It's even got that Mutt Lang cannon shot snare drum sound. 80's baby! 

The music itself is ambitious and commanding but remains very accessible throughout. Amidst the driving rhythms, soaring vocals, and guitar pyrotechnics, there are some lean songwriting chops on display. Drevet cuts to the chase and gets to the carefully crafted hooks without beating around the bush. From a songwriting standpoint, there is zero fat on this track. Drevet plays with a tremendous amount of feeling as he weaves through crunchy, chorus-soaked rhythms and epic soaring leads. Pappalardo's drum work keeps things intricate and exciting without ever overpowering things. He plays with mindfulness of serving the song at all times while taking opportunities here and there for a tasty fill or intricate ride cymbal work. 

Outside the core collaboration of Drevet and Pappalardo, "Rick and Friends" features a host of musicians, including singer Rusty Wright whose warm, rich tone and soulful vibrato is a stark contrast to the sandpaper rasp of a Def Leppard or a Bon Jovi influence. A refreshing twist. The song features his full-throated delivery to significant effect and packs on some tasty harmonies to boot. 

In all of his songs, Drevet takes inspiration from real-life experience, and "Don't Look There" is no exception. It draws from the pain of the loss of his friend to suicide at the hands of addiction, and the message is clear in lyrics such as. 

"Life comes at you. Ready or not. All you can do is give it, give it, give it all that you've got." 

Meaning that no matter how tough today is, tomorrow is on its way. So just hold on. 

For those of you who dig on a fist-pumping anthem-style rock with poignant lyrics played with feeling, Rick and Friends might just be what you're looking for. 

 

DON"T LOOK THERE - https://www.thesoundswontstop.com/rick-and-friends-dont-look-there

  

SWEET JACKIE - https://www.indie-vibe.com/post/rick-and-friends-sweet-jackie

Rick and Friends- 'Sweet Jackie 

Review by Patrick Joseph & Staff 

“Sweet Jackie” has a classic southern-rock feel and a fresh energy. This music is powerful and complex while still sounding relaxed and joyous. Confident vocals from Rusty Wright drive this song forward while highly intricate instrumental playing creates a beautiful musical nest in which the song can thrive. Harmonized guitar melodies and a precise rhythm section give this song extra vitamins. 

Lyrically, “Sweet Jackie” is a pure and true love song. 

“Dancing in the arms of love , You're the one I'm dreaming of, Sweet Jackie.” 

The earnest delivery gives these lyrics an intoxicating quality. 

“Shadows of the twilights dawn, Caress the beauty of your song, Passions harbor set ablaze, Answered all my yesterdays.” 

The clear, singular lyrical message is enhanced by the directness and conviction of the music. 

The arrangement of “Sweet Jackie” demonstrates wisdom and a reverence for the greats of the past. Chords are chosen perfectly to build the song from verse to pre-chorus to hook. The insistence and stability of the rhythm section allows this song to travel wherever it wants to go. Virtuosic and expressive guitar playing is couched perfectly in a groove that doesn’t quit. The vocal performance is engaging and hypnotizing. “Sweet Jackie” is a beautiful song with character and grit. 

Check out or purchase the track here! Connect on Instagram Visit Rick and Friends website. 

Rick and Friends 

After years of playing in bands, cover and original, Rick decided to write his own music. He has been lucky to play with some very talented musicians who have contributed their talent to create Rick and Friends' songs. 

Each song you hear is drawn from real life experience. I strive to bring the raw and honest story through the passion for music and the emotion of the lyric. 

#RickAndFriends #SweetJackie

 

COLD STEEL BLUES - https://www.pleasepasstheindie.com/post/scarlet-bridge-cold-steel-blues

Rick & Friends Lay Down the Gauntlet with "Cold Steel Blues" 

There are songs about love, songs about loss, songs about partying, songs about pain, political songs, celebratory songs, romantic songs, and songs that live long in the memory after you first hear them. "Cold Steel Blues" by Rick Drevet definitely falls into the latter category. 

"Cold Steel Blues" sucks you in within the first 30 seconds and has all the elements of a classic rock groove: infectious energy, dirty guitars, a rumbling bass  (Bill Adams), a relentless and hypnotic beat, standout riffs, soaring solos, catchy chorus, and a vocal performance soaked in whiskey and a lifetime of hard living and morning-after regret (James Stone). However, it’s the song’s theme and lyrics that take the track into realms not often tackled by rock n’ rollers in the modern age. 

“The song is based on a true and tragic story,” reveals its writer, producer, and guitarist Rick Drevet. “It’s about a senseless drive-by shooting of a 15-year-old girl that happened in St. Louis. She was hit by a stray bullet and when I saw that on the news, it struck a chord with me.” 

Drevet adds, “An innocent teenager was caught in the crossfire of someone else’s stupid feud and paid for it with her life. As usual in such circumstances, there was no real accountability. Everyone was too busy dodging the blame and saving their own skin that they forget a teenager, who should be having fun, listening to music, partying with her friends, and living her life, can do none of those things anymore because she was taken from us." 

Drevet explains, “'Cold Steel Blues' is my small way of honoring her memory and at the same time condemning the cowardly nature of those responsible and those in society who allow them to escape justice. There’s a line in the song that goes, ‘Cold steel blues, evil hands that you excuse,’ that I feel poignantly sums things up.” 

Not afraid to tackle the big issues, Drevet and Friends are lifelong musicians who also have the chops to back up the lyric. With James Stone on vocal, Bill Adams on bass,  and Rick Drevet on guitar, this is definitely a group with dynamic and engaging chemistry, where every member brings something different and new to the table.  

diverse personalities, but their common ground is the music.  

Judging on the strength of their single "Cold Steel Blues" and the promise of even better to come, Scarlet Bridge is a name that could soon be extremely familiar to rock fans everywhere. 

 

FOREVER HOME - https://www.pleasepasstheindie.com/post/scarlet-bridge-cold-steel-blues

                          https://www.behind-the-song.com/post/rick-drevet

                          https://www.wewriteaboutmusic.com/reviews/rick-drevet-forever-home

 

 

About

For the Love of Music

Original songs

I am blessed to have very talented friends to help me release the song ideas in my heart.

BILL ADAMS bass on Cold Steel Blues & Forever Home

Growing up in mid-Missouri Bill received his first guitar when he was 13 years old back in the early 80’s. His parents were initially reluctant to buy him an instrument because they thought he would lose interest and they would be out the money.  They quickly realized it would be the exact opposite. After hearing rock guitar greats like Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen and studio players like Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather, Bill quickly became interested in the mechanics of music and how it “worked”.  After buying his first Berklee College book of music theory at his local music store, he was hooked and never looked back from there. He would sometimes spend 8 hours a day practicing and studying music. From there he went on to play with several area bands playing both covers and originals.  It wasn’t until much later in life, after the tragic loss of his older brother who happened to be an accomplished bass player, he decided to pick up the bass and carry on his brother’s legacy. Once again, his passion for learning and exploring a new instrument was rekindled and over the past few years has committed himself to playing bass exclusively. Bill is now convinced all the study and learning on the guitar was to pave and prepare the way for him to become an even better bassist.  

Mark "Boomer" Pappalardo    Master Percussionist

Boomer: I started playing drums at the tender age of 5 yrs old. Started with lessons from Wally Warrick (original drummer from Tijuana Brass). I studied with him till the age of 10, when I turned pro, doing paid gigs with a jazz quartet playing bebop out of the "Book of Standards" This is where I met 72 yr old bassist Hank Weyland, the long time stand up bassist with Benny Goodman.

From here Hank recruited me to help him drive an 18 piece swing band led my Hal Donato (1st Saxophonist for Guy Lombardo). Having been reading charts out of the book of standards this was my baptism of fire reading drum charts for the big band and where I really learned how to site read. Hank and I drove this band for a few years (from ages 12-15). It was during this time I joined the local AFM Union local #47 one of the youngest in Hollywood to do so at age 13.

It was from the contacts and work from here, that I got called to be an on call studio musician for Capitol Records and signed that agreement at age 16. In my High school the band teacher and the football coach had an agreement to allow me to do both. I would arrive early, set up my kit in the stands, leave a pair of tennis shoes there,  then get in my uniform, play the first half of the game. When the team went into the locker room, I would pull my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads off, run up the bleachers, throw my tennis shoes on, play the halftime show with the band, then when the team came back out, would run back down, put my uniform back on, they would fill me in on what was discussed in the locker room then go play the second half!

At age 18 I Graduated from High school and attended MIT in Hollywood (The Musicians Institute) where I received my degree in Percussion (trap kit) and a minor in contract law. Studying with greats like Joe Porcarro (father of Jeff Porcarro of Toto), Steve Smith (Journey) and others. It also opened up more doors for me, for more higher profile playing opportunities. It was during these next few years, from 18-22 that I had the blessings to work with such people as: Gene Simmons at SIR studios, Stevie Wonder the Encino Sessions, Y&T, Devetta Morgan producer Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire, Funk Dance diva Teena Marie, Tim Bogart from Beck, Bogart and Appice and many others.

From the ages of 22-30 I played all the major and minor clubs on the Sunset Strip, from Gazzari's to The Whiskey a Go-Go, to The Rainbow room and Doug Weston's Troubador to the famed Viper Room and Club Spice. It was here that I shared the stage with, and opened up for the likes of Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot), Van Halen, Stryper, Poison, Motley Crue and numerous others. I had been signed to two more development deals one with Warner Bros with the band Snow and another with Polygram with Rooster and Ramsey.

By age 30 I had established my own music production company where I was writing, arranging, recording and producing both myself and my band Red Alert and others. Red Alert recorded the single "The Game" and managed to score a deal with Polydor records, until our then guitarist got home sick, quit the band and left me hanging with everything.

I have since moved out from Los Angeles to St. Louis, where I have continued to perform with various acts, still writing and recording, touring and performing both in St. Louis and Nashville,TN. This is where I had the opportunity to continue my studies with the great Todd Sucherman of Styx for the entire year of 2019.

This chapter brings me to Rick & Friends. I am very excited to be involved with such pro level project of high caliber musicians, singers and songwriters and am looking forward to presenting this project world wide live on tour!      

Sincerely & Respectfully,

Mark "Boomer" Pappalardo

Professional Drummer/Background Vocalist/Songwriter

CEO/Owner DrumsNmoreA2Z.com

 

RICK DREVET Song writer and musician

 

Rick Drevet grew up in Mt. Juliet Tennessee. Playing guitar since age 10 when his mother bought his 1st guitar off the discount rack for $10. “Pretty sure that guitar neck was converted to an axe handle.”

Playing with friends in high school and soon after joining the east Tennessee band Zachery Bow. Rick laid a solid Rock foundation. Rick moved back to Nashville to form Stiff Kitty and all original Rock/Metal group. From there Rick moved to Florida where he joined Audio Vault. After taking several years out of music, Rick built and eventually sold Planet Ear Candy studios in St. Charles, MO.

Rick lists Hendrix, Vinnie Moore, Robben Ford, Gary Moore, Vito Brata, John Sykes, Michael Schenker, Alvin Lee, Allman Brothers, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd as some of his main influences. Having shared the stage with EZO, Enuff Z Nuff, Badlands, Jake E Lee, Dokken, Cinderella and Sebastian Bach, Rick has gained a great appreciation for putting feeling into notes.

Rick loves to connect with a crowd and seeks to be known as a good writer and decent musician. He describes himself as a “Never satisfied tone junkie.”

© 2021 Rick Drevet. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Contact Email: rix4028@gmail.com   Phone: 314-713-0997

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