Rick comes from a musical family. He is the second of seven children and they all sang and/or played musical instruments. Because of the Beatles, he took up guitar at age ten. First playing experiences were playing folk masses at school and church. First musical group was with Sing-Out K-W (from the Up With People movement) which evolved into Project People. He also played in various dance bands playing different styles of music for private dances, weddings, high school and university formals, Christmas parties, Oktoberfest etc. One of those bands was Brassline, one of the bands under the banner of Opus World of Music. He played slide dobro in Millcreek Junction; a Gospel bluegrass band. Other groups included Blue Midnight, Another Blind Date, N-Stro-Man-X (surf rock band) and the Rick and David duo. Besides playing with Group Therapy and the OCD horns, he is the music ministry leader at Hazelglen Alliance Church.