Rick Price

Australian singer/songwriter Rick Price has walked the journey many musicians’ dreams are made of. From the very beginning, as a nine year old and the youngest member of his family’s band, music was Price’s passion. Since those humble yet defining days, set amongst the backdrop of country Queensland, the self-taught artist has forged an internationally praised and respected career spanning more than three decades.

In the early 80’s Price drove from the small town of Beaudesert, Queensland to Sydney, New South Wales, and almost immediately became a working musician. Starting out as a backing vocalist for artists such as Marcia Hines, Jon English and Dragon, Price eventually garnered major national attention with Australia’s bicentennial anthem, “Celebration Of A Nation,” a duet he performed alongside Keren Minshull.

In 1991 Rick Price secured a major recording contract with Sony Records. Recorded In Los Angeles under the supervision of famed producer Chris Lord-Alge, Price’s first studio album, Heaven Knows, produced several Top 40 hits including “Not A Day Goes By” and the title track, “Heaven Knows,” reaching No. 5 and No. 6 on the charts respectively.  Price’s trajectory through the charts continued with the releases “Walk Away Renee” and the duet with Margaret Ulrich, “Where Is The Love.” The album topped the charts in Malaysia and The Philippines, selling over a quarter of a million copies in South East Asia alone.

Following on from its success with the listening public, Heaven Knows soon garnered more critical acclaim, with the album’s title track being voted 1993’s APRA Song of the Year, an award bestowed upon artists by their industry peers. That same year, Price was also awarded the Singapore Song of the Year award.

1993 saw Price releasing Songs From The Heart, aptly named after the huge success of Heaven Knows and touring extensively in the USA and SE Asia. In 1994 Price enjoyed more overseas success in Japan and released a special album just for the Japanese market, If You Were My Baby, which charted extremely well.

Price’s second studio album, Tamborine Mountain, was released in 1995 and although it was a slight creative departure from the strong pop melodies of Heaven Knows, it seemed to strike a similar cord with Price’s by-now established group of fans. Recorded in Melbourne, Australia, and produced by native New Yorker, Ben Wisch, its intimate storytelling and more rock than pop beats showcased a burgeoning singer and songwriter who was maturing in his sensibilities. The first single, “River of Love,” raced to the top of the charts and the album’s success secured Price’s position as a household name in Australia.

Off the strength of his first two albums, extensive touring and promotional duties saw Price tour both in his home country and abroad for most of the 1990‘s. In 1999 Price’s many overseas influences led him to record and release Another Place.

In 2003 Rick Price released A Million Miles, a garage album that was recorded just for fun. In 2007 Price met up with longtime friend Mitch Grainger and recorded 2 Up. 2008 saw Price take a slightly different direction as he revisited some of his favourite songs in acoustic mode, with Revisited. Later that year, Price was approached by an old touring buddy and great friend, Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy invited Price to tour with him for one year around the USA and Europe.  Price relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he now resides permanently.

Following the completion of the tour with Tommy Emmanuel and after being back on stage, regularly playing to a live audience, Price, feeling inspired and re-energised, jumped straight into co-writing with other artists in Nashville. The result must certainly be a surprise to some of his diehard fans. Love, a recurring theme in his work, where it once spoke of heartbreak and loss, now speaks of hope and transformation.

Released in September 2011, The Water’s Edge showcases new influences and a broader style for Price. While there are still echoes of a great pop artist, country and blues meld beautifully with folk sounds to create an album that transcends genre.

Having achieved his own success, it was only a matter of time before Price assumed the role of co-writer and producer to other artists. Price has worked with renowned Australian artists Becky Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Adam Brand, Adam Harvey, Tina Arena, Tamara Stewart and The McClymonts, amongst many others.

During 2011 Price starred in a narrative concert, the theatrical production of The John Denver Story, interpreting the songs and story of John Denver.  Backed by a full band, The Colorado Quartet, this production explores the personal life and the passions that drove Denver as an artist and individual. In just eight weeks, Price performed this show to in excess of 26,000 Australian theatre-goers, to overwhelming praise. Hand picked for the role, Price’s interpretation of the man and his music has also received critical acclaim with seasons already having been held in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane.  During 2012 the production will return to these cities and tour other Australian capital cities as well as regionally around the country.

So far 2012 has been a busy year for Rick Price, primarily in promoting his new album The Water’s Edge.  Price just toured Australia and SE Asia during February and March and will return in September, returning to the stage for The John Denver Story.