Music is one of the foundations of Rick's life. Starting with a guitar given to him at the age of 11 by his grandmother, Rick learned to love all styles of music through the guitar - jazz, blues, classical, folk, country, rock, and more. When not performing professionally, Rick still enjoys making music around the house or jamming with local musicians. Rick plays acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, electric bass, harmonica, and kazoo.
Years spent as professional entertainer kept Rick on the road constantly, so traveling is in his blood. Now with a home base on Hilton Head Island, SC, Rick spends a good part of every year traveling - sometimes for business; sometimes for pleasure; usually a little of both. Over his life of travel Rick has visited the following countries: Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Belize, Jamaica, St. Martin, Saba, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Antigua, Martinique, Barbados, St. Vincent, Carriacou, Grenada, Switzerland, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and many more to come.
While "studying for exams during his senior year in college, Rick learned to juggle. He still enjoys the hobby and occasionally juggles in public and with other juggling friends. He enjoys teaching young people to juggle.
His favorite form of exercise - bicycling - is something that Rick tries to do as often as possible. He owns both a mountain bike and a custom-built two-wheel recumbent bike. His goal is the retire in a place where the bicycle is his main form of transporation.
Rick finds no greater joy than hiking woodland and mountain trails. His father was an avid hiker and wrote a hiking guide to the area around Blowing Rock, NC, where Rick spent many seasons joining his dad on hikes. Rick is always ready to hit the trail for both the exercise and the enjoyment of being at one with nature.
At the age of nine Rick learned to sail at summer camp. Once he moved to Hilton Head Island in 1987, Rick began sailing more often. He taught sailing lessons for several summers at Island Water Sports, and then after earning his US Coast Guard Captain's License, he spent five summers as Captain of the 47' Morgan sailboat "Cheers" which operated out of Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island doing dolphin watch and sunset cruises. Rick now holds a 100-Ton Near Coastal Master's License and Auxillary Sailing Certificate.
Eventually his sailing led to the Caribbean Islands where Rick has captained private trips and charters throughout the islands on sailboats ranging from a 36' Sabre to a 50' Voyage catamaran. He continues to make sailing trips every year whenever possible, the most recent excursions to the Greek Islands and southern Thailand. Learn more at SailRick.
