09/13/2026
What an incredible week! I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who reached out to me with words of encouragement, prior to singing the national anthem at Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday. Specifically, Gloria Frazier and Tony Lombardo each reached out personally, to let me know I had this. Each had a prior engagement , and took time to let me know they were there in spirit. What a different culture from my prior employers. I love my ERA American Real Estate family!!
I received so many positive responses after, I couldn't start to mention them all. I think I really surprised a lot of people, who thought I was just a drummer. 🥁 I began singing before I started walking, I'm pretty sure. Three years of choir in grade school, a lot of music classes in college (theory, ear training, piano, etc). Closet singing for decades, often without a mic from behind the drums during a gig.
My big debut was supposed to be the 2023 Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade. I had a band and 8 songs with "House" or "Home" in the title.
The float was ready. Sound check was complete. That's the year the parade got rained out. 🥺
It was an honor and a thrill to sing the anthem, for sure. A personal achievement I have dreamed of since before there was a Pensacola Blue Wahoos. I wanted to have a performance that would honor the Navarre Community on our special night, and one my mom would have been proud of. I know she'd say I did pretty good, with that wink that says so much more. 💔
And thank you to so many for the Birthday Wishes. So many posts, texts, and visits. Love to you all. ♥️♥️♥️
Turning 60 is a big deal, for me. When I was a Jr in high school, I told a guidance counselor I didn't expect to reach 60. Where I was, how I was prepared for adult life, and the world I was seeing, it was true. Here's to borrowed time and new beginnings. 🥂
Singing the anthem was my vocal debut. I'm looking for opportunities to share my voice, either joining a band or performing along with tracks. I'm a strong tenor, with a love for a wide variety of music genres, and a lot of experience in various areas of gigging. If you know anyone looking, let me know.
I am absolutely still Realtoring full time!! Unless I go on tour (I'm open to discussions 😉), I'm still Rocking the Realtor life. All my deets at www.RockWithRik.com.