Rick Trevino sings with a knowingness and maturity far beyond his 25 years.
Raised on the legends of both traditional and contemporary country, from
Haggard and Jones to Strait and Garth, and drawing on his roots as an Hispanic
American, hes always been a remarkable and unique artist. On his latest
release, Learning As You Go, Rick reaches even greater heights of confidence
and self-realization.
Signed to Columbia Records when he was barely in his 20s, he scored
one of 1994s biggest hits with the No. 1 smash, She Cant Say I Didnt Cry,
from his self-titled, gold-selling debut. When the rollicking Doctor Time
followed in quick succession to the top of the charts, it was clear Rick
was more than a contender. From a burgeoning crop of new artists, country
music had discovered in Rick Trevino a lasting enduring talent.
The high expectations Rick set with his debut album were confirmed when
Bobbie Ann Mason, from his second album, Looking For The Light, went top
10. All the while Rick has maintained a heavy touring schedule, regularly
playing major venues across America with a number of countrys biggest names.
The title song of the new album is a sad love song, says Rick, but in
another way, it relates to my own life in music in the last few years.
I really have been watching, listening and learning as I go. And I think
you can hear that.
To say the least. With the albums title track and first single having
kicked things off with another major hit, Learning As You Go is abounding
with songs of substance, style and sentiment, and is poised to fill the
charts with more Trevino classics for some time to come.
With veteran hit-makers Steve Buckingham and Doug Johnson producing,
Rick says he was given all the time he felt he needed to find and record
the songs and the album he had in his heart to make. And its no overstatement
when he reports that making Learning As You Go was the experience of a
lifetime.
Rick started the song-searching process by organizing and participating
in a series of guitar pulls, informal sessions in Nashville clubs where
songwriters sit in a circle, guitars in hand, and trade original songs.
One of the first fruits of those get-togethers was Ricks heart-rending
collaboration with hit tunesmith Gary Harrison, Im Here For You.
While Learning As You Go maintains solid threads of continuity with
its predecessors, one listen makes it clear Rick Trevino is not an artist
to stand still creatively, or to ever settle for merely repeating himself.
I think theres tremendous integrity in this music, states Rick. As much
success as we had with the first two albums, I cant help but feel they
were both leading up to this. Theres a lot to be said for experience, and
there was also great chemistry in the studio with the players, and the
producers and myself. I hear a more seasoned sound in this record... instrumentally
and vocally, and everythings stepped up to a new level.
Rick, a native of Austin, Texas, was a student at Texas A&M when
he was signed by Columbia, and he approaches his music and songwriting
as well with a studious, disciplined work ethic.
I began piano lessons when I was five years old, says Rick who now plays
rhythm guitar as well as keyboards. Music and songwriting in particular,
take a certain amount of God-given talent, but after that it requires work
and perseverance, the same way I learned to play piano as a little boy.
I make it a point to write every day, and at least once a month to take
an established hit songwriter on the road for a few days to collaborate
with. Theres no better education than working with the masters.
Ricks family has always been an integral part of his life. Happily married,
and with his father accompanying him on his road trips and his mother heading
his fan club, its not surprising that Ricks music reflects an upbeat outlook
on life rooted in bedrock American values.
Relationships gone bad are such an integral and authentic part of country
music, I cant help but love recording some of those songs, says Rick. Some
people feel theres more inspiration in suffering than happiness but, especially
at this point in my life, youre going to see me write and sing a lot more
songs about the positive and inspiring sides of living. My family is what
keeps me rooted in reality. Thats my life and my music mirrors that.
With his optimists outlook coupled with tender ballads ( I Only Get
This Way With You, I Wish He Wouldnt Treat Her That Way), good-time country-rockers
(Rock City, Serious Love) and country-to-the-core gems (Oh Jenny, Anytime
and Marys Just A Plain Jane), its not surprising that Ricks fans span a
broad spectrum in both age and ethnicity.
Ricks first two albums were also recorded and released in Spanish, and
both went gold. With Learning As You Go also being recorded in Spanish,
Rick has become the first country artist in decades to build a significant
multi-ethnic following.
It was the Hispanic people who really got my career rolling, says Rick.
I feel a real since of gratitude for that, as well as kinship because of
our shared heritage, but the music has never been a hybrid. Its always
been straight-ahead country, in English or in Spanish.
Perhaps the greatest of all the strengths that make Rick a major artist
in the making--in any language, on any kind of country song--is a genuineness
and honest affection for people, both that he meets and sings about.
The guy in She Cant Say I Didnt Cry is admitting his mistakes, and he
really has messed up, Rick explains. But hes also being very real, and
despite his flaws you really feel for him. I Wish He Wouldnt Treat Her
That Way, on the new album conveys a regret that makes you sympathize with
the character.
I think Marys Just A Plain Jane is my favorite song we did this time,
he said. Im proud of it and the other songs on this album, because they
are about real people in real situations everyone, including me, can relate
to, he said.
For the past several years just about everything Ive done has been a
learning process for me; Ive learned so many lessons from being out there
on the road traveling all over the country and meeting people, he concludes.
Thats why this album is such a milestone; its a kind of musical report.
I want to use this music to let people know where I am right now, but more
important, I want them to know who I am.