[Rick] Wow, this was a very hard decision.
Two completely different styles. I felt more well
versed for Spyro Gyra and absolutely loved
what they did. I had a strong friendship with
their guitar player at the time, Chet Catallo, who
sat in often with my local band CRAC when we
played in Central, NY. Between Chet and our
guitar player, Ronnie DeRollo we raised the
roof every time! I can still hear our soundman,
Donnie Martell, “Even a train stops!” but we
just kept playing until way after they turned the
lights on! Nobody left the club and we couldn’t
wait to do it again!
I had a great connection with the Outlaws also
through their stage manager, Bob Daitz, who
used to work for our local band CRAC, and one
of The Outlaws producers, Allan Blazek. Allan
produced CRAC, Glenn Frey, J. Geils, Alvin
Bishop, REO Speedwagon and engineered
Eagles’ Hotel California to mention a few. A very
hard decision indeed but days after an audition
with Spyro Gyra, in Chuck Mangione’s brother
Gap’s home, their bass player decided to come
back to the band - so I quickly moved forward
with The Outlaws and loved every minute of it.
[WM] You had several Christian records back
in the 80’s. What were the positives you took
away from that season of your career and
what were the things that you wished the CCM
Blues Counsel
left to right: Will McFarlane, Tom Lane, Emedin Rivera, Tony Hooper, Anthony Morra, Rick Cua
Genre understood about the record industry?
part in it and delivered it to the world. If I had a musician/artist to several other things wasn’t
[Rick] I loved making my CCM records and wish back in the day it would be that the artists actually that hard. I realized early in life that from
getting to write songs that could move people were more able to make music as they see it for time to time I would have to shift my passion
closer to Jesus. What a gift that was for me. We themselves and not have to tailor it to a certain from one thing to another in order make a living
saw people come to the Lord every night at our sound or expectation of radio. For those who and to put a few more tools in my tool belt. At
shows and would hear story after story of what sign up today to be part of the CCM Genre 49 years old I was offered my first “day gig”,
God did in their lives through those records. So you have to understand that there are certain a job at EMI Christian Music Publishing, now
very blessed to have been able to do that and parameters that go with the territory. They are Capitol Christian Music Publishing.
thrilled that I can continue. not bad, they will get your music and message
heard - and that’s honestly what its all about.
I have to be careful how I say this in regard
I was actually very excited and grateful to get
that position both for the stability and to work
to part two of your question, Bruce. Please [WM] Then you actually became part of in the music industry with my friends. Steve
understand that I am very grateful for the Christian music as an industry professional. Rice who led the publishing division hired me
radio stations, record labels and CCM genre I What was that transition like and what roles did with the blessing of long time friends Bill Hearn
was part of. The people involved remain great you play in it? and Peter York. It was a great 5 ½ years. I
friends to this day and were partners in all that
God did through the music. They had a big
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learned a ton from one of the leading music
[Rick] The transition from being a full time
May 2020
companies in the world. After that I transitioned
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