9/27/09

Howdy folks…it’s been a long time. So long, in fact, that I can't even type well anymore...not that I could before. (Editor’s note: I’ll say!)

Hope this finds all my friends and fans healthy and in good spirits.

All is well with me…busier than heck but no complaints. I am constantly pursuing staying on my spiritual path which makes my life a lot easier to deal with. I remain constant in what I do, but it sure beats what I used to do and how I felt.

First off me and Lisa Novak have been really busy traveling back and forth between Texas and Arizona. We are working hard on a new Luminarios album, which we are both writing and producing. I guess that main difference with what we are doing NOW and our previous album, Loveland, is that this record will be a bit more on the rocking side. No, we are not rewriting “Soul Leecher,” “Mumbly Peg,” or
“The Horse I Rode In On.” So far, this record has some cool longer jamming tunes with cool guitar solos and some good pop rock stuff aka Sidewinders and some newer stuff in the acoustic country alternative vein...plus some cool surprises. One of my favorite songs features Lisa on vocals doing a cool Sun Volt kinda-thing. This album is being recorded mostly by Nathan Sabatino and a new guy, drummer extraordinaire Josh Harrison, so we are trying out some new sounds on this album. My favorite rhythm section of Ken Andree and Bruce Halper will be holding this down.

Lisa is a marvelous partner to write with...she is really talented and I am really fortunate we are working together.

LL Cooper from Houston has a new album called Tucson out now, and it is a great country alternative rock album...he is an amazing singer/songwriter who has really stepped it up. I played lead guitar on the title track, which really was an honor for me. Larry is a good friend that I found because of Lisa. Seriously. folks, go to his myspace web site and check out his music!

My old buddies from Tucson, the O’Gorman Brothers, Scott and Chris, have a new band called Static Session and a new album, Lovelife, which will be out on San Jacinto Records in late October. This album was produced by Josh Harrison, their wiz drummer, so if you like Echo and the Bunnyman, the Cure and wearing eyeliner makeup, this album and band is for you! Seriously...these guys feel that they are ready to make it to the big time right now! I am psyched to be a part of their journey! Why not? Some of you might recall that 3 bands I either played in, produced or worked with (the Sidewinders, the Gin Blossoms and Machines Of Loving Grace) all made it to major labels. So why not these boys? Their new album is tight with tons of hooks and a walloping bass and drum sound that could make your ears bleed at just the right volume.

5/18/09

Howdy folks, friends and fans and neighbors! I am finally back from our tour in Germany and am feeling pretty rested! We have been home a week since yesterday and for me it seemed like the longest week ever, being jet lagged, really tired in general, plus coming home to 100-degree heat every day and just getting right back to my routine here in Tucson…no complaints, it is what it is...glad to be home but I miss my band, Lisa, playing in Germany and seeing my friends...it is, as always, a real honor to go on tour and play in all these beautiful towns! Life is awesome!

I'd like to thank everybody--Lisa, Ken, Paul, and Mark--for being the band we needed to become…we all learned a lot (I know I did) and it was different but great...we had a lot of great dynamics, great singing (Lisa's “I Remember I Forgot” and “Heartbreak Police” were really went over well with the audiences), teatro thanks to Ken singing on “Bad, Crazy Sun” (Ken almost broke his leg being knocked off stage thanks to my crazy antics ...thanks to "the KUCH"!), etc., etc. Paul Valdez really brought a lot to the band with his artsier style, although he really could rock it when needed to. Last but not least, Mark Zubia really added tasty and soulful guitar playing to music that might be deemed pretty straightforward, so we had it ALL going on! And the laughter that we all experienced in the truck was the best...I had such a fun time being one of the boys again! I forget that music and laughter are the two greatest remedies for the soul! Oh, the thing I learned about playing with these guys and gal was that I could play quieter and yet rock with force when needed. I loved becoming a team player and the places we played did require a lowered volume level, which was OK, but you know that at the end of the set I was gonna have to do the "Hopkins thing"…rock! And rock we did…it was a set full of great songs, singing, dynamics, drama (thanks to Ken) and just sheer joy! Thank you!

Thanks also to Thomas Lingstaedt, our tour manager…he is so good and dependable and he doesn't get in the way of the band. I appreciated his honesty one night when he said the sound engineer was afraid of me and couldn't tell me to turn down...well, I was a bit pee'd off, but I heard him and made my adjustments for the rest of the tour... Thomas, thanks for being a friend!

Also, thanks to Juergen Stahl, Edgar Heckman and Blue Rose Records (for all the great support of LOVELAND), Holger and Marion Schubert and all of our loyal fans in my fan club, all of the great promoters who had us in their clubs...we were treated like kings and queens with all the great hospitality, which included food and awesome hotels… Thanks.

My favorite promoter is henry from the BLUES GARAGE in Hanover…he has the funkiest rock and roll motel ever...talk about a man who lives his life and is inspired. Henry and Ramona (his wife) are the coolest and it was OK that your 20-year-old German shepherd almost took Ken's leg off...really, what a cool place you have and we got to stay there!

Really, I have the best life and fans in the world...I'd like thank all the other friends/fans who came from all over to see us, buy our merchandise, bring us amazing beers (Guni and Manfred) and just hang out afterwards and be friends!

I will miss all of this but it is time to do other things and I will make another Luminarios album and it looks like Lisa, Ken and mavbe Mark will be a part of it...and it will be different than the last records I have recorded.

As I said, I’m glad to be home to see my baby girl Bailey, who is almost 17! I already miss my other gal, Lisa, but I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more of each other!

Oh, thanks to Holger and Marion for making me the Rich Hopkins tribute CD and thanks also to all the great bands that were gracious enough to play on it. It is my understanding that Holger has almost broken even on the costs of making the CD and that all profits will go to the GREG GOODE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, which is right now going to two very deserving college students who attend the University of Arizona and are members of the Rising Star Baptist Church. I'd like to mention that both Glitterhouse records and Blue Rose Records are selling the CDs. and Holger is selling it on his Rich Hopkins fan club web site too! It is a worthy cause...thanks to all those who have bought the cd already!

OK, amigos, until the next time,

Vaya con Dios,

Ricardo

Feb. 8, 2009

Hola, amigos…tanto tiempo, yo se! Hope all is well in all of your worlds!

First off...Happy New Year! I know we are in a full-blown recession and life looks pretty grim economically, but remember that spiritually we can do a lot to help ourselves and each other out by praying and by meditating…and by turning off your television! The biggest problem we have is the constant bombardment of negative news we are all hearing, which is no more than our MINDS that have all of the fearful and negative tapes being played over and over again. Yes, there are problems in this world, but the first and most important action one can take is to have a peaceful mind which begins with mindful prayer and meditation…listening for God's small voice to answer your prayer. This is hard work but there is NO other solution at end. If you think about it, the reason for all our problems—war, poverty, greed, addictions, etc. —is because of people's unhealthy minds that have spun out of control. There has been no praying or love as a result of these behaviors. Think about this. The actions and results of what we are experiencing collectively are because the majority of people in this world have not been praying and listening to God, but are, instead, listening to the CRAZY thoughts—negative, self-hating incriminations that are running around in their heads. The result is that people are out of balance acting out dishonestly and hurting many of us…I am talking about the people in POWER. I am talking about the banking system that was/is so corrupt as to take advantage of the ignorant people we have been (and ignorance is no excuse for being stupid..."No, I can't really afford this house, but since the bank will give me a no-interest loan for a year or two and why read the fine print, I'll take this house"...even though you can't really afford it.) No one wants to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions, which have resulted in this seemingly TOTAL MELTDOWN of our economy but more importantly this is a sign of how morally corrupt we have all become because $$$$$$$$$$$$$ MONEY $$$$$$$$$$$ has become more important than God or Jesus Christ. This is exactly what Jesus got so angry about...he rebelled against the corrupt Jewish leaders of the time who were in power. They had sold their souls for an easier life under Roman rule.

My point is, the only way out of this is to take personal RESPONSIBILTY for our actions/behaviors and the only way to do this is to GET DOWN ON OUR KNEES AND PRAY! Why not?

Maybe some of you are wondering about the sudden change in my life or asking "what's up his ass?" Well, I have been blessed in my life, having more than many, but what I lacked was a certain moral fiber that comes with God's love and forgiveness. I am sure I am not alone. My point is that I am taking action and saying no matter what "our pasts" are about, why let that stop us from REAL CHANGE and I believe that change comes from within...prayer, meditation and asking for help!

Our BANKRUPT economy is metaphor for our spiritual bankruptcy. If we all really loved each other and cared for our neighbors, would people be losing their homes and jobs by the millions?

The only way I know how to change is to admit that I was lost in my ways, asked for guidance and learned that there is really a God who is truly loving and forgiving. It's time to take action and start looking out for more than just ourselves.

`On a lighter side...Lisa Novak and I had the most incredible New Years’ vacation in Germany with our wonderful hosts, Holger and Marion Schubert and my very loyal Fan Club that Holgaaaa! is the president of! Lisa and I were the guests in the Schubert's lovely home near Dresden and also my fan club's 5 year anniversary party, which took place in a hotel and restaurant near Dresden as well. It was attended by 30 or so friends, some I knew and some I did not but it was an amazing night to be surrounded by such good friends and to be serenaded by Arturo from the band Rust Never Sleeps. I got up and played guitar as well with Lisa and Arturo…it was fun! Many thanks to Olli, Michael, Christina, Holger, Marion, and all the friends who came...

The night before, Lisa and I played with THE CRASHING DREAM as our backing band…Flavio, Fabrizio and the Tepster in the MUSEUMSKELLER in Erfort, Germany, for our LOVELAND CD RELEASE PARTY! Again, this show was promoted by HOLGAAA! and the Club and it was smashing success! Our good friend and itinerant sailor was none other than the REVEREND SCHULZ who was marvelous! He and Andy sounded better than ever...the REV. is one of my dearest friends I mean, one night some 5 years ago. he and I actually started and survived a spaghetti holocaust that the promoter today has never forgotten!

Anyways, the show was great and the Crashing Dream team were a great band to play with! Thanks so much for the tour of Leipzig. and Fabrizio, we forgive you for our funky hotel in Leipzig that tested me and Lisa's love! The breakfast made up for the shortcomings of the broken bed and the cigarette smoke wafting in from below!

The rest of the trip was filled with: long winter nights of 16 hours of darkness, freezing weather, tasty stollen and bratwursts supplied by Marion, laughing about "Tony,” a wonderful trip to Czechoslovakia and sleeping at the Botel, the near fire in the 500 year old cafe that I started having my napkin catch on fire in Prague, my cool shoes that Lisa bought me for my birthday...thank you!...and our walks through the frozen country side of Holger and Marion's village area! It was a beautiful and memorable time I hope I never forget! And Lisa survived yet another 10 hour plane ride to and from Germany! Yeah…

By the way, the Luminarios and Lisa Novak will be supported on our forthcoming Germany tour in April '09 by LARRY COOPER, PAUL VALDEZ (both from Texas) and the reliable KEN ANDREE, who has been in my custody since 1998?? Well, ever since we became friends in El Paso in 1993! I am excited to have this opportunity again to be able to play with such great musicians! Get ready Germany...here we come. No preaching...just great music and rock! We have a good new booking agent Jurgen Stahl and will be again loyally supported by Thomas Lingstaedt who has managed me for how many tours…17??? You should retire, amigo. And, of course, by Edgar Heckman of Blue Rose, who has been there for me since 1996 when he released EL PASO!

Lastly, my dearly beloved SAND RUBIES just completed a 5 show mini tour of Tucson, El Paso, Houston and Austin, Texas! We had a great time and we should do it again before the end of this year! What was cool about it was that it's very satisfying to be able to still get in a real van, complete with bean bag chairs as our 3rd and 4th seats and drive over 1300 miles throughout the southwest with my friend and partner Dave Slutes, with whom I’ve played since 1985 (that's a lot of miles between us), along with Ken and Winston Watson and play really good and have a good time. Yeah, gone are the days of getting really drunk and looking for wild women on the hunt, but we can still laugh about the old days! Many thanks to: Tom who lent us his van for real cheap, Lisa Novak, Finni, Chris Holliman, Eric Estrada in El Paso, Rudyard's, Brian and Carina, Brian from Nasa!, The Summer Wardrobe who also played a great show and have an excellent new album out! Let’s see: Mickie Tencza and Raoul H., for not forgetting that old fogies like the Rubies still know how to rock, Shonda Novak, Anna and Casper Terpinski… I am really grateful that we were able to get out there and play music for our fans and friends.

August 20, 2008

Long time…sorry, folks. I know some of you are wondering what 'up with ol’ Rico here and I am sure some of your guesses are correct!

First off, THE SAND RUBIES were just inducted into Tucson's HALL OF FAME last Wednesday night at the Rialto Theatre! It all went by too fast, but I am thankful and grateful to all the family and friends who got all gussied up and came to show their support! It went by in a flash, really, and now Dave Slutes is hoarding the trophy somewhere in his new house...damn it, Dave! He always gets the good stuff!
The Rubies—Dave, Winston, Bruce, Ken and I—played a gloriously sloppy 6 song set of new and old tunes...thanks also to Lisa Novak for singing on “Flotsam and Jetsam.”

The GREG GOODE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP that will financially assist two African-American students attending the University of Arizona has just been awarded. The names of the two youths will be publicly released within a week, so please stay tuned. The GIDEON BAPTIST CHURCH in Tucson has been instrumental in helping find these two scholars, and we are very excited!. I am thankful and grateful to my German Fan Club, HOLGER J. SCHUBERT in particular, who has done a lot of work in terms of earning money to fund this scholarship...Danke!

LISA NOVAK and I just finished our new collaboration, LOVELAND, which basically took about 13 months to write and record, bouncing back and forth between Houston and Tucson. We started off just trying to write some songs together, not really knowing how any of it would turn out, let along that we might end up dating each other. Much to our surprise, we found that writing music together, either playing acoustic guitars and sharing ideas, or helping each other out on bridge and harmony ideas, was quite easy. I learned a great deal myself—mostly that it is not easy for me to be open minded, especially when I have certain idea about how things have worked for me, especially in the past. But alas, I learned to put my ego aside from time to time for a better idea from Lisa...and I am sure the same happened from her point of view!

Really folks, this was a real collaboration...we shared all the aspects of writing and producing this album. I think that what you will hear is a really diversely-crafted pop/rock album, with cool lyrics, great harmonies and great guitars. We recorded most of the basics in Tucson at Bill Cashman's Cavern Studio and Nathan Sabatino's Loveland Studio…hence the title of our album!. Some of the tracks were recorded with James Hoover in Houston, TX; the album was mixed by Sabatino and Hoover in their respective studios...sounds awesome! Dave Shirk from Sonorous Mastering in Tempe made it all sparkle. Our CD will be available for purchase on Sept. 13, so please check it out!

 This is a run--down of each song, from my point of view:

1. SOMEKINDAGIRL...pure power pop with the album’s coolest guitar hooks written by Lisa!  But the best part is Bruce Halper's frenetic drumming, which we recorded live in one take. This song's message is obvious...Lisa is everything and more!

2. HEARTBREAK POLICE...take Lisa's folky, twangy, Texas storytelling and add my idea of her playing with the Velvet Underground! A great story of a certain type of guy who habitually hurts women by cheating, etc…with nice dollops of grungy feedback, inspired drumming by Paul Valdez, and cool fuzz bass by Ken Andree. This is almost a creepy duet!

3. ANGEL IN BOOTS..another cool pop song with maybe our quirkiest guitar hooks supplied by Lisa. Lisa wanted to start playing lead guitar like the guy in LUNA, so she got to do it here and it rocks! This song is about never judging a gal who wears cowboy boots?!  Hmm...anyways, this was one of our first songs we wrote together and it is one of the best showcases of our vocals.

4. HUMAN AFTER ALL...this is Lisa's nod to her Texas country rock roots with some very soul-baring lyrics about changing and the challenges that come with change. You go, girl!

5. LUCKY GUY…Yep, that's me...I wrote this last summer after Lisa and I had gone to England and New York for a music/vacation and when she left to go home, I wrote this for her. It is very simple and honest about how I felt, and has some Byrdsian 12-string twang and Texas countryisms. This is a happy song!

6. THE GOSPEL SONG...this is all Lisa. One day she was singing this neat little song and I asked her what it was and she said it was something personal. I said that nothing is too personal to record so, she agreed to do record it and it is beautifully written and sung.  This is dedicated to her mother, and rightly so!

7. LONG SHOT…This little pop song was our first song written together, a duet of sorts. The message basically asks where are we going with this relationship? You see, in the beginning we weren't sure that we'd even like each other.  It was a bit of bad timing, but we had to start somewhere in the song writing process, and this is it! A good start, no?

8. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? Yeah, this is the almost-famous song me and David Slutes wrote back in 1988 and Lisa and I love this song…there are some amazing guitar solos (yeah, a lot better than 1988), plus the coolest bass and drums on the whole album played by Ken and Bruce…I mean, the Rubies have only played this song 1000 times, so yeah, we only needed one take. I hope you approve, Dave!

9. I'LL CRY LATER (WHEN YOU'RE GONE)…This is my best stab at a soul-baring, slice of life, this-is-how-I-feel-about-you, Bruce Springsteen-like song…sensitive but tough! Well, I tried and all I can say is that it is true...I have cried a lot this last year, but I am really better than OK! The coolest thing about the song is Nathan's cello playing and the trippy tremelo on the bridge...

10. MATTHEW SWEET...this is a pop song dedicated to one of Lisa's heroes of power pop! we struggled in writing the song—well, Lisa struggled with the writing this story of bored lovers, but she came through when Winston Watson recut the song with his powerful drumming and then it was like, "Lisa, what ya waiting for?!" She got it…hmmm.

11. FALLIN'...this song was me and Lisa's last song we wrote for the album, and I love her lyrics! Bruce Halper really shines on his drums. I also like the Bob Seger-esque guitar tone I played on the melody, which kinda made it all come together. Who said Bob isn't cool? Huh?

12. LOVELY HEART…well, we all have them. This was a song I wrote the night before I went into the studio to record something else and it just felt right to cut this song right then and there...Ken Andree's sensitive bass playing on the intro and outro really made it for me. Plus, check out my short (very short!) Stonesy guitars solos…Now that is something new!

13. NO WORDS FOR LOVE
 That's it folks...hope I am enticing you to buy our new album!

March 17, 2008

Hey, it's me again and I forgot to mention to you all that I am very proud to announce that starting this fall of 2008, THE GREG GOODE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP will be finally in place to financially help out an applicant who is selected for this scholorship. I am working in conjuction with the Rich Hopkins Fan Club, led by Holger Schubert, and Pastor Mumphrey and the Gideon Baptist church on Tucson's southside. This scholorship will further the education of an aspiring student who is either entering the university level or is already in a 2 year college and is aspiring to earn a major or minor degree in MUSIC!  Pastor Mumphrey says there are at least 5 young students who will apply for this scholorship and we are all very excited. This scholorship is aimed at the African-American youth who attend the Gideon Baptist Church, where my very good friend and soul brother Greg Goode once was a  church member and played bass in the church band before he passed on to go jam with bigger names like Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane and John Lennon.
I met with Pastor Mumphrey yesterday to go over the details of the scholorship and I left the meeting totally overcome with gratitude, hope and joy. If I may quote myself, "This seems like the beginning of a new life or a story that never grows old.”
I am very grateful to my fan club in Germany who supports my dreams. I am truly thankful and blessed! Onward!

March 11, 2008

Hey folks...I know it has been a super long time since last year…many
many things (mostly very good) have happened...R U surprised?!
First off, the SAND RUBIES European-Yes-But-Mostly-in-Germany tour was
amazing!  It was me, Dave Slutes, Ken Andree, and my new favorite human being and cool drummer, Winston Watson, who is, to say the least, legendary! Wekicked butt for 3 straight weeks and Dave and I did managed to squabblemaybe once…nice job, Dave!  Thomas Lingstaedt was our agent and roadmanager and he did a fine job, despite being half-dead to the world…butwe rocked!  Highlights? Lisa Novak coming to keep me company and singwith me at a few shows (she loved the Donner Kebaps!); hanging with allour great German friends, far too many to single out; the Blue Rose
Christmas Party in Hannover's Blues Garage...the Rubies played well and
didn't get hurt! (always a bonus at gigs); the Swiss chocolate; my German

fan club…love all you guys for helping keeping us sane! The best hotel was inHalle (Lisa..yes/no?) Oh well...it was great!  Onward!
I also turned 50 on Jan. 10, which was a whole lot of fun here in
Tucson...thanks to all the folks who attended the party and
shows, especially Holger and Marion Schubert and Thomas and Meike
Lingstaedt, who came all the way from Germany; Lisa Novak, who threw the party; and DaveSlutes, who put the show together at Club Congress. Thanks also to all my friends
and family, who came to honor or ignore me...you know who you are!
Being 50 means nothing except that I am feeling the best I ever felt
and am looking forward to the next 50 years. Life is just getting
interesting now that I have awoken from the great sleep.
By the way, the highlight of my party was being presented the “Rich HopkinsTribute Album,” produced by Holger Schubert, who has been
secretly working on this album for 2 years...maybe more! Not sure what I
did to deserve such an honor, but it is the coolest present I may have
ever received...it is an honor to have such friends/colleagues who value
me as such as that Some of the folks who covered my music are: Stefan George,The Wyatts, Lisa Novak, Larry Cooper, The Reverend Schulzz, Amy Munozand Ernie Mendoza...and many more friends...I am blessed and honored.I think that this double album will be released sometime this
year...stay tuned!Lisa, Larry Cooper and I also did a 7-city mini-tour of Tejas and Arizonawhich was a lot of fun...we were joined by Mondo Perez from
Houston, Don West and Chris Hansen Orf...sharing the music was really fun and easy...I think we have the start of something good, if we choose to do this again.Speaking of fun...Lisa and I are now making "the album of our lives.”Yeah, that’s what I said! When Lisa and I first approached the subject ofpossible writing some songs together and recording, I thought, "Yeah, OK,
this is new and it could be a fun little side project,” but now fast
forward from last May 2007 to now and we have written and recorded
about 16 new songs and I am thinking this is the coolest album I have
ever made…we are producing each other and the music is really fun and
spontaneous. Lisa has a knack for great harmonies and singing arrangements,while I am getting a chance to arrange her
songs in a heavier manner…it's the best of both worlds. I am very
excited and if this is the last album I ever record, I am going out in
style. I will also say that this is, lyrically speaking, the most positive album I
have recorded to date. No more lamenting love songs…no, siree!
What else?? Hmm...Go, Obama!
Thanks to all you folks who have been so loyal to any and all of my
bands over the years… you have made it all worthwhile. The night of
the Blue Rose Christmas party, I realized this as I tried to walk through the
450 folks crammed into the club for the night. I am very fortunate
and have the greatest fans and friends in the world! I will keep going
for you!Stay tuned and stay healthy!  And wake the f*ck up!

October 4, 2007

GREG WAYNE GOODE, my dear friend and killer bassist for the Luminarios
(whenever he wanted to play with us,) who was born and raised on
Tucson's Southside, passed away last Sunday, Sept. 23, from a very
rare muscle disease.  He retained his bizarre sense of humor up to the end, even

being heavily sedated with lots of morphine.
He slipped into unconsciousness and lay in a coma for 11 days
until his brother Ricky decided it was time for Greg to “go home"
to his final resting place.
I will miss Greg and his funny sense of humor, as well as his awful sense of
timing...like missing a show or two ‘cuz he was in jail for some stupid
reason or another. I never could stay angry with him because it wasn't any big
deal. He was always there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry
on, writing some great songs like “Friends” and “Hard Times,” and
jamming at places like the GUADALUPE SOUP KITCHEN with Jim Howell
on Friday mornings from time to time...this brother could JAM!  He was
an amazing bassist, great singer and will always be remembered for his
renditions of “Word Up” and “Maggot Brain.”
I had the honor of meeting his family...and he has a huge family,
starting with his aunts and uncles, his bro Rick, his sons and
daughters like Kimon and Michael and his various women friends.  His
dying was a blessing ‘cuz he brought everyone together to honor him and
I got to meet all his fine family folks.  They are now my family and I
mean that with all my heart.  They opened their hearts and homes to me
just because Greg had said that I was "his bro."
I will miss you, my brother, and am looking forward to meeting you again!
 Word UP!

September 23, 2007

Howdy, folks!  I have some good and bad news.

first the news that isn't so good.  My long time--how many years has it been? 5, 6 years?
--anyway, my long time bro, Greg Goode, who plays bass in the Luminarios (and who I
met at the Casa Maria Guadalupe soup kitchen), is very sick with a rare
skin and muscle disease that has him hooked up to life support at Kino
Hospital here in Tucson.  Greg has suffered pneumonia and kidney
failure and the docs are not sure what is wrong with him.

I met Greg in the soup kitchen line and we became immediate
friends...he said he played bass and he wasn't shittin' me...he is a
monster of a player and can do it all. His performances of  “My Girl” or
“Word Up”  were really amazing...I was in awe of him!  Still am...so for
those who know and love Greg, please send a prayer out his way.  iI will
keep all of you posted on his health.

On the other hand, the new SAND RUBIES album is now mixed and mastered and
will be out in late October on both Blue Rose and San Jacinto.  This CD,
MAS CUACHA, is friggin' amazing...I know NOW why people say that the
combination of me ‘n’ Dave is much more powerful than what we do
alone. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do in the Lumes and elsewhere,
but Slutes and I have a real knack for writing some great tunes....I am
very excited about our new album.  This might be the best ever...major
label or not, who cares!  We have returned with a vengeance!  Winston
Watson will be joining me, Dave and Ken on tour in Europe and the rest of
our local shows.

Ok...that's it for now...peace be with all of you!   Rico

September 6, 2007

Tanto tiempo, amigos...for those of you who are looking for me to help
lighten up your days with the my goings-on, or for some musings
about my spiritual thoughts, etc., know that I am back and in great shape...I
think?!

It has been a long and very good summer. I am looking forward to the
temps in the southwest to begin cooling off, though...
Where to begin?  This summer saw the release of the Barry "the fish"
Melton/Rich Hopkins CD, “DUEL IN THE DESERT,” which was released in Germany on Taxim Records.  From what I hear, we have gotten some great reviews and some airplay in Germany....l hope that Barry and I reunite sometime this year for a small tour in Germany, France, and the U.K.  For those of you who are interested, I have copies on sale for the usual $13.00...an album
very worthwhile to have in your Rich Hopkins collection. It was
recorded and mixed in about 4 days-- no practice...we just showed up and played....it is a real rock and roll album, like those
done in the good ol’ days of the 50s and 60s.
My other other band, the SAND RUBIES have a new album coming out in the next 3 or 4 weeks that we’ve worked on all summer.  Hats off to
David Slutes, who finally got motivated and really kicked ass on the
vocals and lyric writing. Ken Andree also played some inspired
bass. Other musicians were: Bruce Halper, Ernie Mendoza, Winston
Watson, Lisa Novak, Jimmy??, Lana??? and Anna Rosales.....anyways, it is
a great album and we are going back to Europe in late Nov. for a promotional tour for Blue Rose Records.  I believe Winston Watson will be
our drummer for that tour.  I will also release the album here in the states on San
Jacinto as well.  I think this album will raise some eyebrows and
reassure some of you all that we still got the goods!  This album was
started well over a year ago, but with everyone's crazy schedules, it took a while
to pull it together.  To be perfectly frank, I am wondering how
the music will finally end up, since I did not really hear all of Dave's
singing...he was the last guy to do his job but I do know he
worked his tail off...go Dave!
I also started a really fun and unique collaboration with the great singer/songwriter Lisa Novak, who is from Houston, Texas, and who has quite a few albums of her own under her belt.   Some of you may not know this, but she
joined me on tour in London for a few shows this past summer and we
have been inseparable ever since...I have pretty much come to think of
Continental Airlines as my own airline, with all the traveling we are
doing back and forth!  They have some great specials so it makes our
lives a bit easier!  Anyways, I have felt very inspired writing with
her. We started recording at Reid's studio here in Tucson and probably
will probably do half here and the other half in Houston.  I think the
music being written will show off a different side of mine and the same
for her.  I have really loved writing with Lisa....yeah, I'm in love
with her.
I try to keep this forum tied to music, politics and spirituality and
I usually do, but for those of you who might be wondering how I really am, please know that I am doing very well these days.  Yes, I am still doing volunteering with Casa Maria and there is always a place for me there!  Bailey, who is nearly 15, is in HIGH SCHOOL here in town and she has adjusted very
well.  Some of you who saw her little face on my “Dirt Town” or “Dumpster
of Love” CDs back in the late 90's would be very surprised to see how
she has sprouted into this tall, silly, funny and totally amazing teenager!
Maybe one day she join her dad  on one of his Germany tours...one never
knows.
OK, folks...remember that no matter what has happened to you
throughout your life, it was meant to be, ‘cuz right now you are here
and are perfect the way you are. There are no accidents.

RiCh

July 5, 2007

Howdy folks...Long time!  I am in New York City right now, after having come home from a really fun and interesting 10 day/3 show trip to Germany and the United Kingdom, where I played a few shows with my beloved Luminarios.  I am really happy to be back on US soil, especially after experiencing all the bullshit car bombings and basic social unrest in London...plus who wants to buy a friggin’ $20.00 piece of pizza that tastes like shit, anyways? I mean, what is the big deal about London? It is the most overpriced city in the world, as far as I can tell. My buddy Reid said it best: when we were in the Stanstead airport, he said, "I'd expect this type of disorganization in a Pakistani airport.” I mean, besides the English folks we met and hung with who are all way cool, the place is overpriced and I am certainly not in any rush to get back there. NYC is way cooler than London ...especially the excellent pizza at $2.00 per slice...now that rocks!  Let's not forget that this is also the home of my beloved Yankees! (Editor’s note: the Yankees? Isn’t that the team that was beaten by the Diamondbacks in the 2001 World Series? Are they still a major league team?)

The trip started off with me, Ken Andree and Reid Wilson going to Hamelin, Germany, to play a really cool biker rally for a motorcycle club called the Spiders, headed up by friend Steiner and supported by his army friends like Werner Brandt and Claudia.  The party was held up at Steiner's barn and we had a blast that night.  My band was joined by Fabrizio, our very good friend from a band called Crashing Dreams, so we rocked out as a power trio with some help from Werner, Claudia and Werner's son, a really cool guy, whose name, I think, is Sebastian.  All I can say is that we had a blast and Werner and Claudia treated us like family...after all that is what the party was all about.

After all the years of touring in Germany, it all boils down to love and family and that is what my relationship with my German friends is all about.  I am blessed...besides those folks, my buddies Holger, Marion, Olli and his family, Christine and Micheal, Reinhard and Anje, all came to partake in the night’s festivities...I love them all. Thanks to all of you who were there and who made our trip really special.  Reid, who has never been to Germany said (in his most open-minded and honest way) that the folks we were with were like German versions of good ol’ country folks...openhearted and fun-loving!  Danke to all of you! (The Spiders definitely know how to throw an all night party that actually lasts 3 days!)

The next day we all headed back to Bremen to fly back to London and meet up with Lisa Novak, who was braving her first transatlantic trip. She made it safely and met us in our really fine new digs called the Sir Alfred Hitchcock Inn, which was on the waaaay west end of London somewhere.  At first appearance, I was aghast by it's seriously creepy façade, but within a day it became our beloved home away from home.  So the Luminarios, Ken, Lisa and myself joined with Londoner's Captain Dave Morgan on drums and Nigel on Hammond organ, who f*cking blew us way away...talk about a talented dude...damn!  Anyways we ended up playing in Central London's "12 Bar" night club, which I had previously been to some years back to see Marty Wilson Piper after a show of ours at the Borderline. The show was pretty good...me, Lisa (guitar and vocals), Ken and Dave rocked mightily and the small but very enthusiastic crowd really wanted to hear the rock sound we are (kinda ??) famous for, so we gave it to them, tiny transistor amps and all!  Ken was stellar on bass and vocals as always and Lisa was strong on her singing and guitar and tambourine...she had it a bit rough, actually, not knowing that she was gonna have to play more guitar than she originally bargained for and then having to stand for the entire show on the edge of a tiny stage, where I hit her about 11 times with my guitar head stock...she's tough!  Overall, it was a pretty good show once we caught fire. (Reid, our faithful friend, captured all 3 shows on video so parts of the shows will all end up really soon on either myspace

or youtube.  Thank you, Reid, for being there to help us and capture the footage.)  I also want to send a call out toour good friend, Mike Brewer, who came to spend 3 days with us and haul us around...Lisa was very grateful (as we all were), especially since we did not have to jump on the tube..plus, Mike is an angel in many ways. Mike, we love you!  Let's put it this way: we did not disappoint our fans and every show is different.  It was very cool to have Lisa and Dave join me and Ken...the Lumes are always an experience in progress!

On to the next show at the “What's Cookin’," which was amazing!  To be continued!

May 14, 2007

Hola, gente...how are you all?

I am doing very well here in soon-to-be extremely hot Tucson!
What's new?  A lot...first off, Happy (post) Mother's Day to the world!  I am
extremely grateful to the many mothers who have helped nurture me through this
life.  I believe there is the archetypical mother in all of us--yeah, us! Dudes
too!  Gotta be balanced...too much he-man is ugly!

Did you know that San Jacinto Records has released a new album by Tucsonan KEVIN
PAKULIS called “MOCKINGBIRD RADIO”?????????  Kevin is a very good
singer-songwriter and a killer guitar player, somewhat in the vein of Stevie Ray Vaughn
(when he feels like turnin' it up! ) Otherwise, his music is politically
thoughtful and the music leans to country alternative...he can do it all.  I
really think if there is anybody outside of Tucson reading this letter

who want to discover someone great--buy this CD! I promise that you
will really dig it...c'mon, take a chance and try something new!  Kevin and
Lucinda Williams have been the most-played artists on KXCI radio here in
Tucson, so someone is listening.

I also finished working with Tucson legend Van Christian, the former leader of
Naked Prey, probably my favorite Tucson band of all time.  Van was the voice
and main songwriter in NP, along with Dave Seger and his killer guitar
hooks, and he helped put Tucson on the map as far as creating the "desert rock"
sound (along with GREEN ON RED and GIANT SAND, of course.  Sorry, folks, but

THE SIDEWINDERS—who get a great deal of credit for this desert rock sound

thang-- really were a wave behind those three...) Anyway, Van has his first solo

album done and is shopping it around in Europe...He is itching to get it released

and tour again!  Go, Van!

I am really happy to announce that the album I recorded with BARRY "THE FISH"
MELTON, "DUEL IN THE DESERT," is being released in Germany soon on

TAXIM RECORDS.  It is a really cool rock and roll/psychedelic
album, and features Tom Larkins and Nick Augustine on drums and bass
respectively. We recorded this whole album in 3 days...it is pure rock and
it is free!  Barry and I will be playing together to celebrate our CD release
party on JUNE 2 in SAN FRANCISCO at the SALOON!  Then on June 16, he will be
out here to play at the LOFT THEATRE with me and Harold Acevus at a
benefit for our beloved CASA MARIA soup kitchen at 7 pm!  Following our
show, there will be a showing of the movie MONTERREY POP FESTIVAL.  Barry will
answer questions and talk about his experiences (if he can remember them!)
from his days of being with Country Joe!

For those people out there who want to know how I am doing?  I am doing
really well!  I am grateful for the life I have, no matter
how bad some of the experiences have been, because all roads lead to now

and I am cool with now.I have great family and friends who help nourish my soul, so I say many
thanks to all of you who help support me in my life.  As I have said, we are
all in this thing called life together and as I see, it is up to each and
all of us to realize that we are one and the same and that we need to extend love.  It is
our salvation. Life can be better than we can imagine ‘cuz we often limit
ourselves, but I know deep down that I am changing and becoming a more fully realized person.

This is the work.

A few shout outs to the folks who keep it real for me: BRIAN FLAGG AND ALL
THE CATHOLIC WORKERS AND WING-NUTS WHO KEEP THAT PLACE MY "SECOND HOME;” MY PEOPLE'S IN PARAGUAY; MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY..YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!; REID, TED,
MARK H., NELLY.... MY VARIOUS MUSICAL ADVENTURE OUTLETS...and  ol’ Fish Karma
for helping me keep my life straight on the internet!  I also want to thank
all my German friends and my fan club prez, HOLGER SCHUBERT ,and my loyal
legion of fans, for whom I care deeply!  See you soon, my friends!

Yes, the universe is supporting me in doing what I love to do.  And it works
that way for all of us.

See you all soon!


Love, Rico