Artist Profile: Texas Country's Ricky Lynn Gregg
From Country Music that Rocked the Charts, to Acting Off-Broadway
Mar 31, 2009
Ricky Lynn Gregg is known by most music fans as a rockin’-country live performer and recording artist, but truth be told, the multi-faceted singer-songwriter is equally at home with rock ‘n’ roll and gospel, thanks to his music-rich, Texas upbringing.
The youngest of five sons born to Lucille and Melvin Gregg, Ricky, at the tender age of 5, said in a March 28, 2009, interview from his Nashville home that he first learned to sing by emulating his mother’s vocal harmonies in their small Baptist church in Longview, Texas.
Hit-Country Singer's Career Began with Gospel Music
Looking back, Ricky’s father instantly recognized this extraordinary talent, pulled a chair up to the pulpit and had his young son sing harmonies while brother Melvin played guitar. Every Sunday for the next five years, father and son would perform gospel for the congregation, the chart-topping country artist said.
Thus, musically influenced by his father and four older brothers, Gregg said he drew inspiration from a truly eclectic collection of artists—from the hardcore country of Merle Haggard and George Jones, to the smooth and rocking sounds of the Temptations, Rolling Stones and the Beatles –all of which could be heard in his childhood home.
Ricky Lynn Gregg Earns Acclaim, Fans via Rock Music Career
Although Gregg scored big on the Dallas, Texas, music scene as rock ‘n’ roll performer, including helping found an award-winning rock quartet, Savvy, and then later serving as the lead vocalist for Head East, a ‘70s mega-band known for its highly commercial, hard-rock sound and live following, there was no escaping his country music roots, Gregg said in a recent interview with Suite 101.
“I loved performing rock, but it was time to return to the music that I felt calling me, and that was country music,” Gregg said.
In turn, in ’89 he once again founded a new band, the Ricky Lynn Project, which focused on country, but uniquely rounded with the flair and energy of rock. Paving the way for his career’s biggest commercial success, Gregg began doing what he does best—“singing country ‘Ricky style’”—and along the way, he garnered extraordinary popularity and fan devotion that he maintains today.
Singer Returns to Traditional Country Roots, Makes Hit-Country Songs
Moreover, as country music history now attests, the 6-foot, 1-inch performer, after landing a record deal with Liberty Records in 1992 under the management of then-label chief Jimmy Bowen, released a hit debut studio album, Ricky Lynn Gregg, which produced three hit singles; namely, If I Had a Cheatin’ Heart, Can You Feel It and Three Nickels and a Dime.
Gregg’s commercial success rocketed, and the following year, in 1993, Billboard ranked him at No. 4 on its list of Top New Country Artists that year. He also received a nomination for Best New Country Act by Performance magazine. Then, on the heels of the huge success of his self-titled debut disc, Gregg’s second album, Get a Little Closer, was unveiled, revealing his edgy-meets-traditional approach to the country genre.
Country Star Pays Homage to Native American Ancestry
The next year, Gregg chose to leave Liberty after his manager and record chief, Bowen, became ill and stepped down. And although Gregg continued to perform on the live stage, he said he longed to demonstrate his deep appreciation for his Native American heritage. Thus, Gregg took action and founded Trail of Hope, a charity that provides clothing, food, pharmaceuticals and other necessities to underprivileged Native Americans.
With his charity in motion, Gregg—who serves as a member of the Native American Advisory Board—once more turned his attention to recording. His third solo album, Be Careful What You Wish For, was released on the RMG label and co-produced by industry veteran Barry Beckett, Eddie Gore and Gregg.
Texas Musician Scores on the Country Charts Again
Thus far, the album is, by the Texas musician's own admission, his most diverse project to date. And along with chart-ranking music videos, the album’s title single, I Wanna Be Loved by You, reached No. 1 for five weeks on the EMS Music Charts, further confirming that country audiences have been taken in by Gregg’s vocal and instrumental virtuosity.
Following the initial success of Careful What You Wish For, Gregg was approached by country star Larry Gatlin, who asked him to try his hand in acting. The off-Broadway production of Quanah and the Parker Family Saga, funded by the University of Texas, revolved around the Native American Comanche warrior Quanah Parker, played by Gregg.
“What an amazing experience,” Gregg said, “It felt like I embraced Quanah’s soul.”
Cast in the production’s lead role and acting alongside such prolific actors as Anne Lockhart, Barry Corbin, Gerald McRaney, Tom Selleck, Gregg performed for Congress in Washington, D.C., and in 2005 the production moved to New York City.
From Portraying Quanah Parker to Creating Gospel Once More
Today, Gregg—following his foray into acting--is back on the performance circuit with his own rockin’ style of music at venues across the United States, with the ever-able aid of his band, Comanche Peak, all of whom are committed to entertaining their fans, be it at casinos and live-music venues in the Native American community or in the heart of country music, Music City.
Most recently, Gregg served as host to WSM AM’s Midnight Jamboree at the Ernest Tubb Texas Troubadour Theater in Nashville, and he’s also been asked to perform at three country festivals in Switzerland and will participate in the 2009 CMA World Music Festival in Nashville.
“We’ll give ‘em rock, country, funk, old-school rhythm ‘n’ blues, whatever the crowd wants,” confirmed Gregg, who’s recently begun working on his debut gospel CD—a project he promised his late mother he would complete.
For more information about Gregg, including his upcoming tour dates, please access www.rickylynngregg.com.
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