The Rick Spreitzer Trio has lately become a One More-O and consists of
Kevin Edwards (and his Martin arsenal) 1990's Martin 000-28 and a 1970's D-35 cannon. JD Wilson: Tacoma mandolin, Regal dobro, Guild Mark-series classical and any number of Guild acoustics. Angelo Melendez on a bumble bee yellow Fender electric and Michael Kelly acoustic fretless bass. Me: Montana-built Gibson J-45 (with a K&K Pure Western pick up, Composite Acoustics Performer GX, Godin Multiac Nylon SA, Godin LGX-SA and a Larrivee rosewood parlor.
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ARTIST ENDORSMENTS:
K&K Sound Artist of the Month June 2008.
Product endorsements include: Composite Acoustics (www.compositeacoustics.com), Godin Guitars (www.godinguitars.com), K&K Pick ups (www.kksound.com). I also support and endorse Mullis Music (www.mullismusic.com) and guitar repair/set up by the talented and honest, Pat Walters.
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Aside from ensemble shows with Kevin, JD and Angelo, I'm also involved in a series of "Trading Songs" gigs with the likes of Michael Reno Harrell, David Childers, Lenny Federal, Chris Cook, Terry Clarke, Mike Strauss, Tom Eure, Mike Orlando, Trip Rogers, Blaine and Leah Howard, Billy Jones, Kate Minogue, Steve Simpson, Heidi Sidelinker, Herschel Browne and others.
It's been a fun ride so far...
Influences
Woody Guthrie, Loudon Wainwright III, Guy Clark, Norman Blake, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Utah Phillips, David Childers, Malcolm Holcombe, Michael Reno Harrell, Mike Strauss, Nick Drake, Hank Williams Sr., Muddy Waters, Ali Farke Toure, Vic Chesnutt, Nels Anders, Tim O'Brien, Alejandro Escovedo, Bill Morrissey, Snake Chapman, Alex Hall, Neil Young, Eric Andersen, Johnny Cash, Al Grierson, Tom Paxton, old J. Geils Band, the Nighthawks, Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, Carl Jung, Black Elk, those who walked the Trail of Tears, Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemmingway, Carl Sandburg, Hunter S. Thompson, B. Kliban, anyone who's ever worked harder with their hands than their mouth, those who suffer with mental illness, my dogs Bialy and Amber, the late great Willie the cat, the almost invisible kindnesses found in chance meetings and the smiles of strangers, murder ballads, old time music, unadulterated blues, old tools, young fools, puppies feet, missing teeth, crotchety old men and that ever-shifting ether that gets young fools in trouble and makes old fools write songs.
***You can buy Rick Spreitzer's 3 CDs (From the Bottom, 2006; Dirt Tracks, 2004; Meanderthal, 2002) from his website at www.rickspreitzer.com, CD Baby, Tower Records, the Record Exchange and more.
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***Rick Spreitzer beats a guitar like an old man cleaning a dirty rug. He sings like nobodys angel. But if you spend any time with his songs, youre struck by the poetry that sleeps within battered and blue lines slung from a bruised chest and a sideways grin.
***There is a certain romance in seeking ballast through the bad luck and blue changes. When it comes to writing, I am driven to carve out songs that have pieces of poetry, a sense of space and real emotional gravity that really draw you in.
***"Rick is a wonderful singer songwriter - his songs are simply structured and beautifully constructed. He is a poet in the sense that Bob Dylan is a poet. To be specific: Roll Back and 1,2,3 are such wonderfully happy tunes- I can't imagine anyone not feeling better for having heard them. No Idea and Ghosts of Natchez are beautifully poignant- reminding me of his earlier Panhandler Stomp- probably my all time favorite Rick Spreitzer tune. Back to Blue is a love song with a twist- love that keeps on trying- while Motel Prayer is beautifully erotic. From the Bottom and The Serpent & Henry Gray evoke dark & mysterious moods and are great songs in their own right." ~Charlie V. WSGE 91.7FM
***"Music with generous grit and unsupervised emotional release... a good workhorse with energetic gait that makes the picture come alive." ~Eddie Russell/Outlaw for Peace, Jolly Roger Radio International
***"Most young songwriters don't dig deep enough to get to the real song. Rick is a digging machine." ~Michael Reno Harrell
***"Listening to his songs is like watching a movie. The way he phrases lyrics with such texture will have you hearing something new with each listen." ~Christy Snow
You will be happy to know that my photographer friend, Eddie, finally slowed down long enough to actually LISTEN to your music. (It didn't hurt that I left "Dirt Tracks" playing in the car with him inside while I got out to run a lengthy errand..)
In any case, later, as we were listening while finishing up the driving errands for the day he says, "Wow - this guy's GOOD! I really like his voice and how he plays and everything. Who is he and and can I get this album? This guy writes really great songs - wow!". He really "gets" it. (It's about dang time, too..I've only been going on and on about your music for two years..) Eddie's also heard your EP, and likes that too - especially one particular song on it. Two more albums for him to listen to, and I think you'll have to send another set this way! I'll let you know when he's ready and able.
Say hi to Bongo for me at Summit Coffees Saturday night! (o;
Ha - and you thought nobody reads this stuff! Ah, but you forget - you have friends in far away places; all we CAN do is to read about those lucky locals who get to hear you Live! (I just pop another Rick Spreitzer into the CD player and dream..it's a pitiful way to live, I know...)
Hey Rick, if you get a chance come out to the muse tonight, im playing the early show with Jeff and Benares from Asheville, they put on a great show too, ben henry
Hey! - my favorite singer songwriter (in Charlotte, NC), and my favorite guitar shop (in San Antonio, TX) are featured artist and dealer of the month, respectively, over at K&K Sound! (o: www. kksound. com
Hey there Rick, We're enjoying "Old Coins". Great song. We're coming out your way on cd release tour and we're playing the Evening Muse on June 6. Hope to see you if you can make it, JandB
DO hope the weather's pretty for you guys on Saturday so you can take it OUTdoors at Summit - those lucky Davidson duckies..gettin' to hear those new songs you're bringing in to the light!
I'm hittin' the beach hard this weekend at Padre Island - need to float around in some deep salt water, come rain or come shine! JoLynn
One of my more musically inclined friends listened to your music and though it didn't suck that bad!! Just kidding, he's more into hard rock and metal but still thought it was good. Good thing I'm faithfully plugging your song on my page...
Hope somebody takes some pictures, at least - 'cause I can't be two places at once! Have a wonderful time making the magic at The Pewter Rose Saturday night..(sigh), JoLynn
Now, which might hype me up more..the caffeine or the music at Summit? Give me a sip of one while I take a good, long swig of the other..I'll be fine. Those lucky son-of-a-guns in Davidson..
"Dear JoLynn....I wanted to thank you very much for the (Rick Spreitzer) CDs you sent to us for Christmas. I have begun listening to the CDs and have found the music very pleasant so far. ..Thank you again, and take good care. Love, Chelsea"
(hope you do not mind me posting this but there are less than 40 days left until the hunt/slaughter!) ANNOUNCEMENT: I will donate 100 of my “Now & Then” CDs to the first 100 people who can each get five MORE people to sign the petition boycotting Canadian Seafood until they stop this atrocity! HELP THE SEALS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Rick - Great show at The Muse Wednesday night! Glad I got there in time to catch it! Perhaps I'll catch the first part of your show Saturday night. For those interested, some photo's of the performance Wednesday night can be seen at this link.
Hey Rick - thought you might like to know that Folk Alley is featuring your "Back to Blue" on their February Alleycast! Chris gives you a real nice introduction, too. www.folkalley.com
Have a great gig tonight opening for Richard Buckner at The Evening Muse (and of course, I wish I had a jet plane with license and the fuel to use it..)! (o: JoLynn
Ohhh, I wish I could have been there for Saturday's Julia's gig..sounded like a real scorcher! Tell you what, as soon as I can swing it, and before my Goddaughter goes off to college or the military (or whatever!), let's see if I can make it up your way and sneak in to one of your gigs. I'd like that just fine.
Enjoy this glorious day - I'm bustin' outta here and getting out and in to the sun for a change! Think I'll spend it down on the Riverwalk. JoLynn
Hey Rick! Thanks for stopping by and listening :) I was sorry I had to miss your set too. How fantastic that you are opening for Richard Buckner next week. I hope to make it to the show. Have an excellent weekend!
I've been busy and meaning to write. Life's good down here in the sunshine state. These last four months of school are become increasingly difficult to get through but I think I'll make it. How's the Coffee House Tour going for you?
