Artist Spotlight – November 2023

Rick Lang – November Artist Spotlight

This months’ Artist Spotlight is a songwriter that is a multi-award-winning songwriter along with just being named a nominee for the Josie Music Award- Songwriter of the Year. If anyone was to describe Rick Lang to you, you would probably hear words like hard-working, writes every day, knows his types of wood, gentle, speaks from the heart, willing to help the next person in need, and so on. Rick Lang is known and loved by many. These characteristics and traits are usually common with people raised and Rick was definitely raised in a small town – Exeter, New Hampshire.

I have to be honest, I had to do a like internet search to find out where this town is. The pictures that came up during the search were beautiful and lots of older buildings, definitely gave me the small town feel within minutes. Within the last few years, Exeter has grown to a population of under 20,000. With that size, you can bet that everyone knew everyone and their business when Rick was growing up. Exeter is where the Exeter River becomes the Tidal Squamscott River (tidal: primarily means the rivers flow and level is caused by tides) which then flows to the Great Bay in Eastern New Hampshire. Obviously, the town is rich in history of fishing, lumber mills, cotton textiles, and so much more. Fun fact about Exeter is that they are the home of SIG Sauer INC, one of the world’s largest firearms manufacture entities, and the headquarters for Bauer Hockey gear.

Like many artists I have met, Rick has been playing music (primarily the guitar) since he was ten years old. Mowing yards in the hot sun and shoveling snow in the cold winters is how Rick earned the money he needed to buy those good old 45 records. He still remembers buying his first ones, “Wake Up Little Suzie” by the Everly Brothers and “El Passo” by Marty Robbins. Wow, who isn’t humming in their minds?

Living in a highly tree populated area and all the influences from the everyday trends in a small town, it wasn’t a surprise to learn that Rick went to the University of New Hampshire for a two-year Forestry program after graduating from Exeter High School. From then to now, Rick worked in the Hardwood Lumber Industry for over 50 years. All the years working with sawmill men and loggers, Rick has been able to tell a few stories/songs and hopes to share more with all of us again soon.

Back in the mid 1980’s is when Rick discovered Bluegrass and began getting serious about songwriting. After learning and hearing songs from great Bluegrass songwriters, like Pete Goble and Randall Hylton, Rick looked at them as mentors and great songwriting heroes. In the beginning of his songwriting journey, Rick found himself wanting to write songs just like them. “Write what you feel, feel what you write” is the approach Rick goes with for his writing – he tries to tell a good story.

During the early hours of any given day, you can find Rick nestled in his recording studio with a strong cup of black coffee. These are the times that Rick finds writing the most productive. As the setting may always be the same, Rick is known to write different versions of songs. The songs that you may hear can vary from a Bluegrass song to a beautiful, deep and heartfelt gospel song, to a song about the season (whether it is about life or date on a calendar) or possibly a song that is full of cheer for Christmas. The type of song is unknown until Rick feels that strike of inspiration. As mentioned before, majority of his songs are based on true stories and real-life experiences or things that he can find himself resonating with. Staying true to himself and his comfort zone, his stories guide songs to those all sensations we hope to feel from a song and clear of the debatable songs.

No matter what style of song Rick writes, he typically doesn’t start with an artist in mind. He allows the song idea/concept to guide the pen on paper and create the finished product. Rick has learned over time that it is best to serve the song and let it lead the way. After a song has been created and is ready to leap out into the world, Rick may think of an artist but if not, Rick knows that there are plenty of great artists out there that will make the song come to life. When there is an artist in mind, Rick is confident that they will be a good fit for the song. Prior to sending a song to an artist, Rick does his research by listening to the specific artists’ music to get a feel for their sound/style. There are certain singers out there that sing with lots of feeling and emotion, those are who he usually goes with.

For a songwriter that tries to write every day, Rick finds it challenging to keep coming up with new great song ideas and concepts. To help offset the challenge, he tries to do brainstorming exercises for a short period of time every day and then keeps those ideas in a file to hopefully bring out some day and have them blossom into a top song during future writing sessions. The easier part of writing for Rick is finding the melodies and music for the songs. To him, it just feels natural after the song is established.

After writing for many years, Rick feels very proud of several songs and is blessed for the outcomes. One song that sticks out was one from back in 1990, “Listen To The Word Of God” recorded by Lonesome River Band. It was his first ever song cut and his first time ever writing a “bluesy” gospel song. He felt so proud and humbled but at the same time Rick remembered feeling that it was hard to consider himself a songwriter. Because of the success of that song, Rick was inspired to work harder and to continue to improve and develop his potential. The memories of starting out in the early years truly allows him to treasure all the new successes. Rick’s most memorable moment was becoming nominated for the 2019 Grammy Awards. Rick explained that becoming a nominee was “surreal”.

For all you inspiring songwriters, Rick’s bit of advice would be to “Be yourself. Write what you know and are familiar with. Be an original, an innovator. Don’t follow others, blaze your own trail. Stay true to who you are, write your songs and music the way you hear it, the way you feel it”. Mentoring other songwriters has become a priority in his life. When he first got interested into songwriting, Rick was pretty much on his own. Because of the long and painful road, he has promised himself that he would reach out and help others who were struggling like he did in the beginning. Mentoring/helping other songwriters is perhaps the most rewarding part of his music life.

Rapid fire questions –

What is your favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving because it’s the Holiday that focuses on home, family, and being thankful for all the blessings in your life.

What is your favorite saying/quote? The Serenity Prayer

What is your dream destination? A remote tropical Island

What state has been your favorite to do a concert/event in? New Hampshire, in his hometown of Exeter

What is your favorite type of car? His first car – a 1960 Chevy with fins (cost him $150)

Do you have a hobby outside of music? Fly fishing, hiking and daydreaming

What is your favorite kind of Ice Cream? Cookie Dough

What is your favorite junk food? Trail Mix

What is your favorite book that you read or author that you like to read? The Power Of Positive Thinking by Wally Amos

Who is your favorite Actor/Actress?  Clint Eastwood

What is your favorite movie line? “A Man’s Got To Know His Limitations” from Magnum Force

Announcement questions –

New Christmas single out November 7th, 2023!

Lang & Easter “Jesus Is The Reason For The Season” which is a release from Lang Music featuring Morgan Easter Smith & Rob Ickes

A new Gospel album being produced by Jerry Salley will be released in 2024 with Billy Blue Records. It is a follow up to “Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout” and will be featuring multiple artists.

Be sure to visit Rick Lang’s website at www.ricklangmusic.com