MUSIC ALLEY RECORDS
100 NORTH MAIN STREET
WELLSVILLE, NEW YORK 14895
Twenty years ago Rick Whitwood first stepped on the stage of a Western New York juke joint, and his life has been a long road of one night stands since. At the time, the 15-year-old guitarist had visions of becoming his generations John Fogerty. Thousands of days have passed since that first performance, hundreds of songs have flowed from his heart through his pen, and still no one from outside New Western New York knows who he is.
Born in Wellsville, a small town in rural New York, Whitwood was influenced by a diverse group of artist’s including CCR, Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, and Muddy Waters. Having been born and raised in Allegany County, the poorest County in New York, these songwriters’ honesty, integrity, and spirit inspired him.
Musical trends like Punk, Disco, Heavy Metal and New Wave have all enjoyed great popularity at times over the years, yet Whitwood has never veered far from the bluesy rock and roll that seems engrained in his soul.
Two independent album releases (Zoar, Long Hard Road) with the band Zoar have enjoyed local success. Whitwood’s songwriting, guitar, and vocals highlight both recordings.
Many of the songs are still featured in live performances by Zoar, a band that has paid its share of rock and roll dues over the last 15 years. With well over one thousand performances under their belt they continue to play the Western New York bar circuit.
Whitwood’s latest musical endeavors include the formation of the Rick Whitwood Band, as well as finishing a new recording, Desperate Hours, to be released on Music Alley Records this spring. This release features George Cretekos (drums), Ken Wilczak (guitar) and Anton Flint (bass) of the R.W.B, as well as many other fine Western New York musicians Whitwood has worked with over the years. The R.W.B will begin the arduous process of gaining some exposure for their heartland brand of rock and roll. Summer concert appearances will include the Allegany County Fair, Wellsville Music on the Lawn, and others to be announced.
From the blues rock strains of “Girls In Fast Cars†to the rustic romp of “The Day You Left Meâ€, the thirteen songs penned by Whitwood for the Desperate Hours album contain a large dose of the roots rock that has all but vanished from the airwaves. Purveyors of this classic sound, like Whitwood, continue to promote and perform this timeless music, even if it is not the “flavor of the dayâ€.
Recorded at Mercury Studio, also in Wellsville, this grass roots project was captured in a natural, simple setting with minimal adornment. Old tube amps (Vox, Ampeg, Fender, Carvin), cool guitars (Gibson, Fender), a room mic’d drum kit, and a U.A. Model 2610 pre-amp coupled with some high quality microphones enhance these heartfelt songs. With the less is more approach, Whitwood hopes the songs will stand on their own.
Uncomfortable with the shameless self-promotion that often accompanies the development of an unknown artist, Whitwood instead prefers to let the music do the talking. His engaging stage presence and heartfelt song’s are delivered each and every performance with a scorching intensity that is real, as the road is long. No computers, no samples, no synthesizers, no machines are used to perform these songs. Music made by people, for the people.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.rickwhitwood.com
Track List:
1. The Day You Left Me
2. Dead Man's Clothes
3. Girl Next Door
4. Ashes
5. Fool's Gold
6. Old Man Jones
7. Girls In Fast Cars
8. Hello Heartache
9. Solid Ground
10. From This Day On
11. Bed Of Lies
12. Left For Dead
13. Better Life
Other Genres:
100 NORTH MAIN STREET
WELLSVILLE, NEW YORK 14895
Twenty years ago Rick Whitwood first stepped on the stage of a Western New York juke joint, and his life has been a long road of one night stands since. At the time, the 15-year-old guitarist had visions of becoming his generations John Fogerty. Thousands of days have passed since that first performance, hundreds of songs have flowed from his heart through his pen, and still no one from outside New Western New York knows who he is.
Born in Wellsville, a small town in rural New York, Whitwood was influenced by a diverse group of artist’s including CCR, Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Earle, Hank Williams, and Muddy Waters. Having been born and raised in Allegany County, the poorest County in New York, these songwriters’ honesty, integrity, and spirit inspired him.
Musical trends like Punk, Disco, Heavy Metal and New Wave have all enjoyed great popularity at times over the years, yet Whitwood has never veered far from the bluesy rock and roll that seems engrained in his soul.
Two independent album releases (Zoar, Long Hard Road) with the band Zoar have enjoyed local success. Whitwood’s songwriting, guitar, and vocals highlight both recordings.
Many of the songs are still featured in live performances by Zoar, a band that has paid its share of rock and roll dues over the last 15 years. With well over one thousand performances under their belt they continue to play the Western New York bar circuit.
Whitwood’s latest musical endeavors include the formation of the Rick Whitwood Band, as well as finishing a new recording, Desperate Hours, to be released on Music Alley Records this spring. This release features George Cretekos (drums), Ken Wilczak (guitar) and Anton Flint (bass) of the R.W.B, as well as many other fine Western New York musicians Whitwood has worked with over the years. The R.W.B will begin the arduous process of gaining some exposure for their heartland brand of rock and roll. Summer concert appearances will include the Allegany County Fair, Wellsville Music on the Lawn, and others to be announced.
From the blues rock strains of “Girls In Fast Cars†to the rustic romp of “The Day You Left Meâ€, the thirteen songs penned by Whitwood for the Desperate Hours album contain a large dose of the roots rock that has all but vanished from the airwaves. Purveyors of this classic sound, like Whitwood, continue to promote and perform this timeless music, even if it is not the “flavor of the dayâ€.
Recorded at Mercury Studio, also in Wellsville, this grass roots project was captured in a natural, simple setting with minimal adornment. Old tube amps (Vox, Ampeg, Fender, Carvin), cool guitars (Gibson, Fender), a room mic’d drum kit, and a U.A. Model 2610 pre-amp coupled with some high quality microphones enhance these heartfelt songs. With the less is more approach, Whitwood hopes the songs will stand on their own.
Uncomfortable with the shameless self-promotion that often accompanies the development of an unknown artist, Whitwood instead prefers to let the music do the talking. His engaging stage presence and heartfelt song’s are delivered each and every performance with a scorching intensity that is real, as the road is long. No computers, no samples, no synthesizers, no machines are used to perform these songs. Music made by people, for the people.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.rickwhitwood.com
Track List:
1. The Day You Left Me
2. Dead Man's Clothes
3. Girl Next Door
4. Ashes
5. Fool's Gold
6. Old Man Jones
7. Girls In Fast Cars
8. Hello Heartache
9. Solid Ground
10. From This Day On
11. Bed Of Lies
12. Left For Dead
13. Better Life
Other Genres:
- ROCK: Roots Rock
- ROCK: Classic Rock
- FEATURING GUITAR