Peace and Love Vibrations
By Josh Mathews
"We're all in transition. That's what I'm doing, that's what you're doing, and that's what everybody else is doing. Everybody is in some sort of a transition." The chemicals in my brain release like a rock from a slingshot. Looking into the eyes of this man as I was listening to those words, I felt as if I could see through to the depths of his heart. These words really made me think about my life. What am I doing here? Am I in transition, waiting for my time to move on to bigger and better things? It also really made me think about his story. What is he talking about? What kind of transition is he in? Come to find out, he has more than just a story. This man has a history filled with memories. This man has a blessed, beautiful talent.
Rick Gardner began playing trumpet at the young age of 12. Rick says, "a little old to just start playing, but it all worked out." By the time Rick entered the ninth grade, he was labeled an 'A-class' musician. He was one of the top trumpet players in the state. He was good. He could play the trumpet with ease. His fingers were hypnotic, full of grace and accuracy. The talent Rick played with was astounding. The melody that would sound from the horn was a reflection of the talent that was inside him. Like blood flowing through his veins, funk and jazz was flowing from his soul.
In 1966, Rick had the opportunity to play with Up with People for President Lyndon Johnson, at the White House. "That was the most surprising moment in my career. The curtain was about to go up and as I was taking the stage, I fell off!" He goes on to say, "I hurt my leg and smashed my trumpet, but thanks to the quick thinking of a nurse and a back-up trumpet, I was fixed up and ready to play." Rick was only 18 years old. The sky was the limit from there on. In the 1970's, Rick was the conductor for 'Holiday on Ice'. He was the lead trumpeter for artists such as Bill Chase, Marvin Gaye, Ray "Doors" Manzareck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fred Wesley and Kush Griffith. He also toured the world with Bootsy Collins and George Clinton. "I have hung out and have been inspired by a lot of incredible musicians, all over the world. But that's also been some of the hardest times in my career. Road life was tough. I was always away from home. Being on the road was some of the reason for getting off the road." But Rick isn't completely off the road. Just within the last six years, Rick went on five successful tours with Grand Slam featuring Gary "Mudbone" Cooper. He also took the stage with Snoop Dogg and Samuel L Jackson at the 2002 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
One of the most amazing things about Rick, besides the obvious talent, is his look on life and music. I asked the question as to why Rick was done with music. Why he isn't out there, continuing his amazing career. "I'm still doing them. My wife, Pat, and I have produced seven albums, one per year while working miscellaneous jobs. Sometimes it has been very difficult, but we're still at it." Maybe it was being in Colorado. Maybe he just wasn't around the right people or in the right place. It wasn't Nashville, New York City, Atlanta or L.A. Rick says that, "even though music business connections are harder to come by here, one must stay focused on the work at hand. Keep the faith and keep working on the craft." He adds, "I'm not too old either. 'Too old' is just an idea, and it really sucks if you ask me. I've met some of the greatest musicians in their later years, and they inspired me more because of their age. They were much more wonderful and beautiful late in life"
Rick Gardner has spent the better part of his life playing and creating music, specifically the trumpet. He currently resides in Thornton, Colorado with his wife, Pat. For the last 41 years, Rick has played all over Europe, Japan, South America and the United States with various groups and artists. He also has several gold and platinum RIAA certified records, thanks to Parliament and Bootsy's Rubber Band. Rick is currently most involved with composition, writing and recording several of his own albums. Rick is an everyday kind of guy. Down to earth and an all around nice guy. He is blessed with a talent that many can not comprehend. What is even more amazing is that he took that talent, and instead of wasting away, he used it to his benefit. He stepped forward, recognized what he had, and ran with it through life. Rick says, "My music and career is still in progress. It is not over by any means." Rick's good friend, the late Kush Griffith, said it best when he asked, "what about the music?" Rick's answer to that, "music is my mission in life and I am at it everyday, rain or shine. It may seem like this is not enough for some folks, but I believe it is my quest and reason for being. I love my family in all of its many parts and I am a believer. Maybe someday I will write something that everybody will like. Until then, I'm at the craft of making a simple song better. I am still here and I am on the job!" There is so much more that we can learn from this simple man about the love of life, and the love of music. In Rick Gardner's opinion, Kush Griffith said it best. In my opinion, Rick said it best. "We're all in transition. That's what I'm doing, that's what you're doing, and that's what everybody else is doing. Everybody is in some kind of transition." Congratulations on an amazing career thus far, and good luck with continuing that career in the future Rick. Peace and love vibrations Rick, peace and love vibrations.