Remembering Rick Elias

April 2, 2021 is the two year anniversary of the death of Rick Elias. This episode is a tribute to his life and work and features a long list of people sharing their stories about all the beautiful, conflicted moments they got to share with him over the years. It's also the beginning of a series we are doing at Between the Songs about his music over the coming months. 

Husband and father, artist, guitarist, singer-songwriter, rocker, producer, and guy who naturally knew how to tick people off while still loving them, in the Rich Mullins universe Rick was of course a key member of A Ragamuffin Band, playing on a number of Mullins' records and being his perennial touring guitarist and singer. However, after Mullins' death Rick stepped in to not only lead A Ragamuffin Band but also produced the iconic Jesus Record album. He was already an established artist when he met Mullins, having recorded a couple of critically lauded albums (Rick Elias & The Confessions and Ten Stories), and would go on to have the opportunity to write songs for and play on the beloved That Thing You Do! soundtrack.

Joe with Rick in Lancaster when
he was 19 years old.

There's a lot more we can say about him, but for now we are going to let the stories and memories of those who love him speak for themselves. We were absolutely blown away by the responses from people wanting to share about Rick. On this episode you will hear from: Jimmy Abegg, Aaron Smith, Mark Robertson, Phil Madeira, Ben Pearson, Phil Keaggy, Margaret Becker, Randy Stonehill, Bryan Duncan, Carolyn Arends, Mitch McVicker, Sammy Horner, Chris Hauser, Luis Alberto Urrea, Marc Intravaia, Brian Mason, Johnathan Schaech, Regie Hamm, Scott Rogness, Alyssa Loukota Stebbing, Mark Hollingsworth, Chris Taylor, and Warren Pettit.

 

Music featured in this episode:

The Word is Love (Live in Holland)

Do Ya (Demo)

Dance With me Tonight (Live from Studio B)

My Deliver (Live from Studio B)

Man of No Reputation (from Blink UK version)