5 musical instruments that inspired Rick Price to become a musician

Pop-rock singer-songwriter active since the 80s, Australian Rick Price continues to entertain audiences by releasing his tenth studio album “Soulville” last year.

A collection of 1960s soul covers including Eddie Floyd’s “Knock On Wood”, Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By”, “Chain Of Fools” and the immortal Aretha Franklin’s “Soulville”, “Dancing In The Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas and a moving version of “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke – “Soulville” also includes an original track.

“Farewell But Not Goodbye” is a tribute to the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and was written by Price and fellow Aussie John Capek.

Now living in Nashville in the United States, Price has moved back to Australia and is currently filming “Soulville”. “I can’t wait to play this album live!” shares Rick.

“I’ll be performing tracks from ‘Soulville,’ a collection of songs from the 1960s soul era.

“‘In The Midnight Hour’, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay’, ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’… just to name a few.

“Some shows will be with a full band and some will be electric solo. See you soon.”

Here, Rick shares some childhood memories of him learning different musical instruments.

1: Battery

The drums were my first instrument. I used to crawl into my mom’s kitchen as a baby and pull all her pots and pans out of the cupboards and bang on for hours.

Then I found out that her knitting needles made a nice noise on a leather sofa. My grandfather bought me my first kit – a set of blue Rivieras (it was love at first sight). The drums came to me very naturally. . . it must have been the cooking sessions!

2: Voice

My voice was my second instrument. My mom played records and always had the radio on when we were kids and I learned to sing along to all her favorites.

Elvis and Johnny Cash were important to us. . . then of course came my heroes: Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin. . . Just to name a few. I learned to sing just by listening to their records; each, a masterclass.

3: Guitar

It all started when I was three years old with my brother’s tennis racket as a guitar and my dressing gown match as a strap, doing Elvis impersonations at the top of the stairs. I watched my older brother and my uncles play. . . hypnotized! They were my teachers.

I needed something to accompany me while singing. My first guitar was a Suzuki acoustic; hours and hours sitting on the back steps trying to get a sound out of the thing. Later I took up electric and played bassist in many touring bands before I started making my own records in the 90s.

4: Ukulele

I had an instant love affair with the Uke. I like to call it the portable joy machine! I challenge anyone to pick up a ukulele without it making you smile. There’s just something inherently joyful about the sound; and it’s super light so it’s a great instrument for those of us who like to walk around.

5: Piano

The piano came much later for me; Sure, like most people, I tinkered around from time to time, but it wasn’t until I took the plunge and took on a piano bar gig that I really learned how to play. I wonder if that bar owner knew I was faking it. Most likely!

But I pulled through and finally managed to knock out a few tunes. These days, I like to write on the piano; the songs are always very different from the songs I write on the guitar. Amazing how the instruments speak to you in their own language.

Rick Price 2022 Tour Dates

Fri 10 June – Friends Restaurant (Perth)
Sat June 11 – Harvey Recreation and Cultural Center (Harvey, WA)
Fri 17 June – Jindalee Hotel (Brisbane)
Sat 18 June – The Royal Hotel (Brisbane)
Fri June 24 – Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving Club (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 25 June – Manly Harbor Boat Club (Brisbane)
Fri 1 Jul – Club Burleigh (Gold Coast)
Sat 2 July – Westside HQ (Brisbane)
Thu 7 Jul – Maryborough Sports Club (Maryborough)
Sat 16 Jul – Club Hotel (Chinchilla)