Critics have long hailed Ricky Fitzpatrick as "the next James Taylor", with a voice that's "as smooth as moonshine". And comparisons to other artists like Jim Croce, Shawn Mullins, John Denver and Bob Dylan have been synonymous with his style of singing and writing.
An award-winning vocalist and songwriter in the Folk, Country, Christian, Children’s and New Age genres, a Top Ten Myspace artist, and founder of the charitable organization The Healing Power of Music, Ricky remains active and busy both in the industry and his local community. He also leads Praise & Worship at his home church, Cornerstone Baptist, in Jefferson.
Ricky’s musical career has earned him two Number One single downloads in the UK and dozens of industry awards. He also writes for the monthly music business column “Get Out!” for The Muse’s Muse, an online devotional blog at http://besidemeallalong.blogspot.com and was selected as the GMIA Writer Relations Director for the state of Georgia.
His Country single “Ballad of Billy the Kid” sold over 8,600 ringtones in a single day, making it one of the top five ringtones of all time on Myxer.com. And his solo performances have taken him and his guitar everywhere from the Bluebird Café to Eddie’s Attic to Amateur Night At the Apollo.
Ricky also proudly endorses some of the most highly regarded musical equipment providers and manufacturers in the world…Dunlop, G7th Capos and most recently C. F. Martin & Co. “The Martin partnership was a real high point for me as an artist” he says. “When I got the invitation to be a part of the artist family at Martin, it was really validating for me. It’s a red-letter achievement for any guitarist and something that I will always be proud to be a part of.”
Ricky maintains an active schedule with The Healing Power of Music group, along with 300-plus other artist partners such as James Taylor, Neil Young, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Amos Lee, Dolly Parton and more. HPM takes live music to hospital patients of all ages around the world, giving them the gift of a song and a free CD of wide-ranging music from 15 HPM-Affiliated Artists from all over America, Australia, Europe, Canada and the Middle East.
After more than 20 years as a successful Folk and Country artist, he shares his musical talents these days between Contemporary Christian Folk and Holiday music for F2 Records and instrumental compositions (in New Age, Jazz Fusion and Lullaby genres), via RFM Music Group.
Ricky’s latest Inspirational CD on his own F2 Records, “Beside Me All Along” encompasses the core facet of his career, his faith and love of Christ. "Beside Me" is a collection of unplugged Inspirational selections…”Amazing Grace”, “I Surrender All” and others, along with a few of his favorite Christmas songs.
His newest release for 2010 is "Acoustically Christmas", a collection of acoustically treated Holiday classics. With guest appearances from other area writers and worship leaders, and a little help from a few well-known artists, it promises to be a staple for any family's Holiday music collection.
Ricky's Christian work has been described as “remarkably beautiful” and “spirit inspired” and has received uplifting reviews from critics and from fellow Christian artists, such as Michael Card, songwriter of "El Shaddai”
His Instrumental Guitar Lullaby CD “Quieted My Soul” is being called “remarkably soothing” and “hypnotic”, and one of his most artistically profound recordings of his career, drawing strong comparisons on more than one occasion to master guitarist, songwriter, producer and founder of the Windham Hill label, Will Ackerman.
Ricky lives, records and pursues the vision of Christ, in the tiny community of Apple Valley (unincorporated), GA with his wife, children and one remaining goldfish, Vince Gills.
For more insight into Ricky and his history in music and with Christ, you can either learn more about him at www.rickyfitzpatrick.com or read his online testimony (Little Victories) at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=122765791108012.