Rick began his musical career in High School by joining marching band from a friend's request. "It will be fun!" says Tom. "We get to travel to places and miss school!" It seemed intriguing so I went for it. The band instructor, Mr Tash said sorry folks but we only teach woodwinds, Brass, and concert drumming. I was a bit disappointed. So I was asked, "What instrument do you want to play?" I thought Saxophone might be fun. Mr Tash really needed more Tuba players and coaxed me right into it. But you know, It was damned fun!

I went to a musical with my friend Tom. We went to see Beatlemania. There were these four guys who looked a lot like each member of the Beatles and they played the music and sounded a lot like the records. I had my epiphany! I too could learn to play the guitar and sing like the Beatles. Alas, I don't really look like any of them. But it was damned fun.

While still in High School I learned that the guitar player in Jazz Band was graduating and there was no replacement for next year. I thought, sure I could do this, I knew a few chords and could play a few good solos. Was I ever in for a surprise. It was structured improvisation. At one point, I was in Mexico with the school band and Jazz band. I walked down the Main street with my Tuba and then got out my guitar and tore it up with the Jazz Band. I remember playing a song called "Blues for Rick". It was a 3 minute improve for guitarists. Very fun stuff. I had my toes dangling over the edge of the stage looking out over a sea of people. It was more than fun, It was AWESOME!

After High School, I joined some local bands that never could get their wheels rolling. I went for a long time jumping from band to band with no sight of a group of guys with my same enthusiasm. DAMNIT MAN! But then I met a seemingly cool girl at work who said she could sing pretty well. She was a lead singer at her Church. We picked a couple songs for us to learn and the following week we played. She could really belt out the words. She said what she really wants to do is start an Iron Maiden tribute band. I thought it might work so we began to look for the rest of the band. We found everybody but a Bassist for a bit. Then this little tiny woman came in strapped on her Bass and shook the room like nothing we had seen. Cool! We have our band. We practiced, we played, but then all of a sudden... The guys were getting thrown out and replaced by women musicians. All very good. But all Women! They got rid of us and called themselves, The Iron Maidens.

Then I moved to Seattle, Washington. A few bands here and there but the real change came when I started going to my local Church and then playing in the band they had. WOW! Distorted guitars, Full drums, Keyboards, Bass, a wall of vocalists. It was a dream. We played every weekend and I really developed some serious chops there.

Then we moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I decided to keep up the Church thing and I play several weekends. I was in an original band called Oakland Road. They used to be Big Belly Mule. I played bass there. But I really wanted to play guitar. I answered an add for a lead guitarist for a band called Spiderweb. We'll that's the name it became. Guitar, Bass, and Drums with a cool woman singing. The drummer in Spiderwebs is none other than Ken right here in Monkey Business. Which lands we right here writing this message for you to know me a little better.

Hope you all enjoy our future shows. We plan to rock like no other so look for us and come support us. It will be great! Hopefully I will remember to bring my guitar!

Have fun!

Rick

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