Ricky Fitzpatrick: Journal

What the world needs is yet another “acoustic” Christmas CD. Right?

But if your Holiday heart is yearning for the unplugged sounds of the acoustic guitar, plucked harmonics, lush fingerpicking, and mellow solo and ensemble vocals…unencumbered by the distractions of synthesizers, electric guitars and full-blown orchestral arrangements…then your wait may be over.

“Acoustically Christmas” is a genuinely acoustic collection of classic Christmas selections of faith, tastefully arranged and recorded to give you and yours, year after year of timeless Seasonal soundtracking.

A collection of music from award-winning, Folk & Country singer-songwriter Ricky Fitzpatrick, “Acoustically Christmas” marks the high point in his career, captivating fans around the world with his relaxing guitar and a mellow baritone that’s sure to warm you when the December temperatures begin to drop.

"It’s my prayer that God won't see me in these recordings. But that He'll look at me and my choices and my offering, through the blood of Christ, and find me worthy to stand and sing these songs, having Him and His purpose in mind", says Fitzpatrick. "And that my foolish shortcomings of the past year won’t hinder the awesome power of His great mercy and enduring love, as people hear me singing of Him in this music."

Fresh arrangements of songs like “Little Drummer Boy” will wow you as Fitzpatrick coaxes perfectly played drum & percussion sounds from nothing less than, his guitar. The haunting acapella “O’ Come Emmanuel” is chilling in its majesty as you hear layer upon layer of voice upon voice. And visions of James Taylor arise like an old friend, in renditions of “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” and “The First Noel”.

Please go to http://www.rickyfitzpatrick.com/music-67.html to listen to a sample of “What Child Is This”, and learn how to order “Acoustically Christmas” online today, with no payment until the official street date of November 5.

Hear for yourself and bring home “Acoustically Christmas” for you, or as a gift for someone special. And have a very Merry Christmas!

###

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that plans are working for the new, upcoming Christmas CD, probably to be titled "Acoustically Christmas". This project is destined to be a collection of acoustically treated Christmas classics...song that we all know and love and have heard and sung a billion times! "Christmas standards".

My hope is that these will be great additions to families' Holiday activities, either around the house, at church, in the car or wherever you have Christmas stuff happening.

"What Child Is This", one of the cuts is already up on the music page (http://www.rickyfitzpatrick.com/music-67.html). I hope everyone is able to go check it out and give me a pre-release report. :)

I'll be recording the CD in The Junk Room studio at our home in Apple Valley and stretching my legs as I wade a little deeper into the mastering process. For the most part, it will continue to be me on all the vocals and instrumentation. But there will be a few special guests here and there (that's all I have to say about that).

And we'll be releasing it around mid to late October. Digitally, it will be in all the big spots...CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, Napster, eMusic, Rhapsody and so on. Physical CD sales, which are becoming more and more overshadowed by MP3s, will be handled directly through me. More on that, coming up though.

Not much else to report yet, but stay tuned and I'll be sure to pass along all new developments as they happen.

Thanks!

Ricky

Great news!

Not much has been said recently about the Soulfood Music CD that I’ve been so privileged to have songs on. But I just saw that "Guitar Meditations Vol. 3" is in the TOP TEN on Echoes…a nationally syndicated radio program! Now THAT is awesome!

For a list of one of the 130 stations, nationwide, that play Echoes in your area, go to http://www.echoes.org/stattime.html.

And check out GM3 if you haven’t yet at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/guitar-meditations-vol-3/id370454599 (I’m tracks 4 and 10).

Thanks!- RF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2010

 

Georgia Supergroup of Country, Bluegrass and Christian Artists to Record Hurricane Shoals Song

 

Jefferson, GA – Hurricane Shoals Park is a North Georgia landmark for the people in and around Jackson, Banks and Madison Counties and beyond. For decades, parents and children alike have trekked to the unique spot where the cold waters of the North Oconee River run fast and shallow over vast expanses of exposed granite.

 

The park is also home to the historic Heritage Village, a working grist mill, one of the few remaining covered bridges in the state, the annual Art in the Park festival, an outdoor amphitheatre and a variety of picnic and play areas available for play, relaxation and special events like weddings, parties and family reunions.

 

It’s no secret to the music loving public and industry, that North Georgia has always been a hotbed of musical talent. Countless award-winning artists have emerged from the foothills of the North GA mountains area, dozens continuing on the become staples and even legends in popular music.

 

It is that well-known and respected, collective pool of musical talent that is responsible for the Down By the Waters Edge fund raising project, aimed at raising funds for the park’s never-ending laundry list of additions, upkeep, maintenance, repairs and day to day activities.

 

In true small-town, Southern fashion, a veritable Supergroup of successful musicians from the Country, Bluegrass and Christian genres, and all who hail from the North Georgia area, are joining artistic forces this Summer, to record a song that they will donate to the Hurricane Shoals Park.

 

“Down By the Water’s Edge”, a song written specifically for the project by Christian Folk artist and songwriter Ricky Fitzpatrick, will be recorded this Spring and made available for sale to the public, this Fall.

 

The song will feature guest vocals and instrumental work from an All-Star artist roster that is slated to include Fitzpatrick, Mark Garrison & the members of Bluebilly Grit, Wayne Baird, Dustin Wilkes, T. Graham Brown and John Berry. And according to Fitzpatrick, who is also organizing the entire project, “We have other artists on the list who just haven’t thrown-in yet, so I expect a couple more surprise additions before it’s all said and done.”

 

The recording expertise and studio time is also being donated by producer and studio owner Lee Davis at Lee Davis Studios in Maysville, GA. Davis who has produced more than 50 independent albums and worked with everyone from Corey Smith and John Berry to Joe Diffie and Billy Dean, will be recording and producing the project.

 

The song will be debuted September 17 at the annual Art in the Park festival, held in the Hurricane Shoals Park. At that time, Fitzpatrick will officially present the members of the Tumbling Waters Society (the non-profit fund raising arm for the park) with the song, and with 100% of its publishing rights, so they may collect royalties on its sale and use “in perpetuity”, he says. “We want every penny of the money raised by this song to go directly to the park and its activities.”

 

“Down By the Water’s Edge” will be available September 10, 2010 as a digital download via iTunes, Amazon.com and other reputable digital retailers. Information on the song or on other means of purchasing the song, can be found on the Down By the Water’s Edge Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Down-By-the-Waters-Edge-A-Song-for-Hurricane-Shoals/120342641310994.

 

# # #

An excerpt from the Living Jackson magazine article, The Jackson County Sound, Part II of II.

Story by Jaclyn Weldon White

 

Now we come to the

second and final installment—

or shall we say the

final verse—of the Jackson

County Sound series in

Living Jackson.

 

 

Ricky Fitzpatrick has been

performing professionally

for about 20 years. The

musician, who lives with his family in

Apple Valley, started out playing the

guitar and singing popular songs of the

day in Athens bars and clubs.

 

“All the songs people love to drink

to,” he said with a smile.

 

He always considered his style to be

folk, but just about everyone seemed to

think of him as a country singer.

“It’s because I talk with such a

at Southern drawl,” he said.

 

But Fitzpatrick wasn’t satisfied just

covering other people’s songs. More

and more he crafted his own compositions,

many of which were about life,

people and places in and around Jackson

and Madison counties.

 

When he began performing it, his

own work was well received, not only

locally, but around the country. He

even performed at New York’s Apollo

Theater. Soon afterwards, Fitzpatrick

decided that he’d only perform his

own music. The decision was met with

mixed reactions. It wasn’t popular in

the bar scene, but he soon found new

audiences in coffee houses, libraries

and bookstores.

 

In 2009 Fitzpatrick decided to re

cord a gospel CD, taking a collection of

gospel songs and hymns and recording

them in his own folk-influenced style.

 

It wasn’t a big stretch for a man who’d

actually studied for the ministry in his

youth, but he freely admits the move

was originally based on business. He

knew that the Christian market was a

prosperous one. However, the acceptance

of his new work was overwhelming

and what started as a business

decision rapidly became a life-changing

passion.

 

“A few months ago,” he said, “I

announced I’ll only be doing Christian

material from here out.”

 

Fitzpatrick is one of the founders of

The Healing Power of Music, a group of

over 300 musicians—including James

Taylor, Amy Grant and the Imagination

Movers—who take the gift of live

musical performances to hospitals and

nursing homes.

 

He has a new CD in the works and

appearances scheduled in bookstores,

libraries and at area Relays for Life this

spring. In the fall, he’ll be appearing at

Art in the Park where he’ll donate his

song “Hurricane Shoals” to the Tumbling

Waters Society.

 

###

 

The Jackson County Sound concludes

with this installment. In the

words of an old-time song, however,

“ … the melody lingers on,” and there

will be more music in this magazine.

Let the editor know if there are other

Jackson County musicians who should

be featured.

 

 

Jaclyn Weldon White is the author of

a number of fiction, nonfiction and

children’s books who resides in Hoschton

with her husband Carl.

(The remainder of this article, photos and credits can all be enjoyed for FREE by picking up a copy of Living Jackson magazine at one of any number of local businesses.

For more information on Living Jackson magazine and/or the availability of this issue (April 2010), you can call their offices at 706-367-7761.

Just a quick reminder to please tune into WATC Channel 57 out of Atlanta, GA, tomorrow (Tuesday) from 7-9PM. I’ll be the musical guest on the Atlanta Live show that evening (and the following morning), so please come worship with us, on air!

And for station or channel info, or for more on the Atlanta Live show, check them out at http://www.watc.tv/atlanta_live.htm.

Please pass the word!

In Christ,

Ricky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3-10-2010

Jefferson, GA - One of the most revered names in music to any guitarist, amateur or virtuoso, is without question, Martin guitars.

C. F. Martin and Co. is arguably the most prominent brand in the world for acoustic guitars, with an endorsing artist family that includes Eric Clapton, Jimmy Buffett, Arlo Guthrie, Merle Haggard, John Mayer, Sting and dozens of other musical legends and household names.

March 2010 marks the addition of Martin’s latest endorsing artist, Folk & Christian singer/songwriter Ricky Fitzpatrick.

“This is undoubtedly a high point in my musical career”, he comments. “I’ve used Martin products for many, many years and am extremely humbled and proud to be associated with them as an artist this way.”

Critics have long hailed Fitzpatrick as "the next James Taylor", with a voice that's "as smooth as moonshine".  But he is best known locally, for his narrative Folk songs about the area. Songs like “Pocataligo”, “Jot ‘Em Down” and “Highway 98” have established him and his writings as a fixture for lovers of local music and nostalgia.

His musical career spans over 20 years, in pop, rock, country, folk and Christian genres, performances from “Live at the Apollo” to The Bluebird Café, and over a dozen industry awards for vocal performance and songwriting. He’s also recently celebrated two Number One downloads in the UK, was named as one of the Top Ten Folk artists on Myspace and was chosen as the 2008 GMIA Writer Relations Director for the State of GA.

In addition to his own musical work, Ricky also runs two of his own record labels (F2 Records and RFM Music Group), posts regular offerings to his online devotional blog (http://besidemeallalong.blogspot.com/) and still maintains an active schedule with the charitable organization that he helped to found, The Healing Power of Music.

His latest CD, “Beside Me All Along” is a collection of acoustic, unplugged versions of some of the most timeless inspirational hymns and Holiday songs ever written. Fans of artists like Wes King, Bebo Norman, and of course, James Taylor will find it familiar territory.

For more information on the music of Ricky Fitzpatrick, please visit him online at www.rickyfitzpatrick.com.

# # #

The Athens Borders show is already less than a month away…can you believe it? But everything is coming together and it looks like we’re gearing up for a great night.

Even so, please add this show to your list of regular prayers and lift it (and me) up, asking for God’s blessing on the evening. With your prayers and God's hand, I know it will be wonderful!

And please spread the word to your friends and invite them to come too. I’ve been suggesting to a lot of local churches to make a “pre-Sunday night” of it and get a whole group to come. You can do the same thing too…let your pastor, music minister or youth leader know. And tell them to feel free to contact me for details and help.

Thanks again and I can’t wait to see you there! Til then…In Christ,

Ricky

“Emma’s Song” was on the Smalltown Soapbox (Moby in the Morning show) this morning, on WNGC (106.1FM)!!!

Moby has been such a friend and I’m so grateful anytime he plays a song of mine on the air.  I’m about to email him a great big thank you. And if you want to, you can drop him a quick “thanks” too.

Here’s his contact info:

EMAIL: moby@mobyinthemorning.com 

PHONE: 1-888-MOBY-USA

WEBSITE: http://www.mobyinthemorning.com/index.cfm

ONLINE COMMENTS: http://www.mobyinthemorning.com/contact.cfm

And thank YOU!!!

Ricky

Deut 31:6

More great news! Logged in today to my ReverbNation site and it looks like I slipped into the TOP TEN spot on ReverbNation charts!!!

Very cool.

ReverbNation has been one of my favorite artist sites for a long, long time. But I never used them much. Lately though, they’re really stepping it up and providing us with some great formats for showcasing our music, shows, press and so on.

Take a sec and check it out at http://www.reverbnation.com/rickyfitzpatrick. And if you can, become A FAN and RATE A SONG as you listen to it.

Thank you!!! RF

Several of my songs, including Suite for Hurricane Shoals, Mud Puddles and Barefootin’ It have been selected for licensing distribution by Crucial Music!

Crucial is responsible for absolutely some of the biggest music usage deals in the industry today. Their placements include music in Academy Award winning films such as Brokeback Mountain and A Beautiful Mind. Emmy winning shows such as Six Feet Under, Malcolm in the Middle, The Simpsons, House, and Judging Amy. And national commercials such as Sprint and Verizon.

I couldn’t be more pleased. Stay close for more news as I get it. Til then, thank you for helping to make this possible!!!

Peace…Ricky

Working on some Christmas pieces for an upcoming project. Great news to come on this, but you'll have to wait til it comes together. :)

Finished "Silent Night" the other night and posted it on the MUSIC page.

Worked on "Little Drummer Boy" last night and got the instrumental tracks down and mixed. Hopefully, will get the vocals done tonight and mixed, then master it all up before the end of the week. I'll post the final file here when I get it done.

After that, moving on to a new song... More to come!

RF

Many of you have already been hearing some of hte instrumental pieces I've been doing lately. And many of you have heard me do periodic pieces over the years too.

Just letting everyone know that I'm writing and producing a LOT of new material, recently. Lots of new things happening...lots of new avenues opening up. And I'm exploring them with new songs.

I love the acoustic guitar (you know that) so most, if not all, of the new songs are predominently acoustic gtr. Lots of tracks. A lot of new and alternate tunings and experiments with sound and equipment.

Be sure to check out the INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC page for much of the latest stuff and of course be sure to keep an ear to the groud, as I'll be spreading the news as things happen.

Til then...peace!

Ricky

“Beside Me All Along” autographed, pre-release CDs are scheduled to arrive 10-22!!! Finally! And if you haven’t ordered yours yet, it isn’t too late…go to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7722373 and place your secure order via Paypal. And of course, samples are over at http://www.rickyfitzpatrick.com/music.html. Thank you and God bless!

The New CD “Beside Me All Along” is rolling out Nov 1 and pre-orders a re going like crazy. I can hardly believe it. God is truly blessing this project and of course I want to honor Him for all that He is continuing to do.

More news to come as the pace quickens on BMAA. Thank you everyone who has pre-ordered your autographed copies! I can’t wait to see everyone at your home churches and festivals.

Til then…Love in Christ, Ricky

NORTH GEORGIA - Local singer/songwriter Ricky Fitzpatrick is sending out
the call to all individual performing songwriters in the North Georgia
area who would like to be considered for a “very special concert event”.

The “very special concert event” is still under wraps…for now. But
Fitzpatrick promises that it will be “unique, exciting, entertaining and
something that the entire community will be thrilled to see and hear.”

According to him, “All I’ll reveal at this point is that we’ll be asking
the artists selected to simply perform a handful of their original songs,
solo, unplugged and with the acoustic guitar, banjo or mandolin only. No
other instruments, singers or background accompaniment can be used.”

Artists may be professional or amateur or anywhere in between. Previous
recording, touring and/or publishing experience is not a requirement,
although performing experience, website(s) and an established fan base are
pluses. However, you absolutely must write and perform original songs,
only. No cover songs allowed.

Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Americana, AAA, MOR, Pop and Rock genres are
preferred. “If your music is heavy, mad, screaming, explicit or vulgar”
according to Fitzpatrick, “that’s cool. But this may not be a project for
you.”

For more information and for consideration, please email your name,
website, phone number and any biographical and/or musical history
information to: ricky@rickyfitzpatrick.com before October 1, 2009.
Selections are scheduled to be made by November 1.

Further information will be posted and updated regularly at
www.rickyfitzpatrick.com.

For those who haven't heard yet, Landan Jude Fitzpatrick was born 4-30-09 at 5:32AM, 6lbs 6oz and 19 ½ inches long. Yes, it was quick. Yes, we drove 90 MPH from Jefferson to Athens and through downtown at 4-something in the morning. And yes, if we had not driven that fast, we would absolutely have delivered Jude in the car. It was way too close for comfort. Whew.

Drama from day one.

Everyone is fine though. Cretia and Jude are doing great. She is glowing and mothering and acting like she was made to be a new mama. He is perfect and mild mannered and poops a lot. I mean, a lot. Emma loves having a brother and is holding and touching and “petting” him every chance she gets.

Also, check out a few pix on the photos page as well.

Peace!...

Ricky

Eileen Parker runs/hosts a very cool blog called The Celebrity Maker. TCM is a huge blog with hundreds of members, a wide range of topics and over 25,000 visitors a day (according to the stats on the page)! They basically get behind the scenes with the people who make it happen for the people we all know and remember. A fantastic resource from a very seasoned professional, PR pro and honestly, quite friendly lady. Anyway, Eileen wanted to do an interview with me earlier in the year about how an indie musician does it. So I said “yes” (duh!). Here’s the link that very nice interview…check it out! Thanks Eileen!

The Celebrity Maker Blog – Interview with Ricky Fitzpatrick.

Who would’ve guessed that just a few months after jumping into the world of P2P and Myspace, that we’d be seeing the page view count go over 20,000? Wow. It’s been a fantastic ride so far, and here’s to many more milestones to come. Thanks everyone for your support! Peace…Ricky

Lots of new things happening. Wow! Where to begin...? Emma's SOng is a #1 download in the UK! Ballad of BTK got over 7200 downloads in a single day! The new CD is late but coming up! New Xmas music is on the way! Oh, and we just teamed up with youlicense.com to have my songs (and many previously unreleased instrumentals) licensed out for commericals, TV, film, etc. We have very high hope...it's a super opportunity! Thank you to everyone!!! You guys are still kickin it! Thanks for making it happen! Hope to see yall out soon. Peace...Ricky

Myxer has chosen Ballad of BTK as a pick of hte day...wowser! I'm thrilled! Already looking like ringtones are freaking going crazy...more today (at 10:45 AM) than all the last 6 mos combined! If you haven't gotten a ringtone, go get it over at www.myxer.com/rickyfitz or Text RICKYF to 69937 (MYXER).

Well, it will soon be 4 weeks since the quite stressful table saw episode. I have officially lost all the ever-loosening pieces of my nail, the stitches are out, of course, and I STILL cannot play the guitar with all fingers. But I do try to play and practice, fingering freak-style looking chords, making new fingerings up as I need to and generally shooting a bird the entire time I’m playing. Take it as you will. Obviously, no gigs since the saw. But I am writing, arranging music in my head. Looking forward to recording soon. NADD may be a little late since I haven’t been able to record, but I’m confident it will all work out. Hope to hear from everyone soon…have a great and safe 4th. Peace…Ricky

Thanks to all the fans…newbies AND veterans…Myspace has me ranked #41 in the Unsigned Folk Artist genre for the entire state of GA! Up 10 spots from just a week ago!

Thank you, guys…you are the awesomest!

Let’s keep it going! Please post a quick Myspace bulletin for all your friends or send them an email…and tell them to come on over to

www.myspace.com/rickyfitzpatrickmusic
and check things out.

Peace…Ricky

This past weekend, I decided to run my finger through a table saw. Didn’t seem to bother the table saw all that much, but my poor old finger has a fractured bone and seven lovely stitches running right through the middle of the tip and what’s left of my nail. Ouch!

I’ve been asked about a million times if I can still play the guitar (yes, it was my left hand). Needless to say, no guitar playing for A WHILE. And although I had visions of my career going straight to hell, it should be back to normal soon, assuming the nerve endings aren’t permanently F’d up. We’ll just have to wait and see. On the lighter side, I do get to walk around shooting a permanent bird at everyone…pretty cool.

Luckily, the Pre-release show for the new CD (@ Borders in Athens, GA) isn’t til the end of July. Bad thing, I can’t do much of anything in the studio to FINISH the tracks to go on it. You gotta love fate. But we’re working it out.

Anyway, stay tuned, have faith and thank God for whoever invented Loritab!

Peace…Ricky

Holy cow. So much is happening...it's hard to keep up. Since my last entry, we've resurrected WRFM so you can listen to RF tunes online all day, 24/7. ezFolk has selected me to be a Featured Artist on their Singer/Songwriter homepage. Awesome. And the Moby in the Morning Show has used "Emma's Song" for the second time as background music during the Smalltown Soapbox segment. Very cool. Moby goes out to 9 differnt major Country stations in GA, TN, WV, AL, AR...is that it? I can't remember. But it's a LOT. Thanks everyone for your ongoing support! Life is good. Peace...Ricky