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

Feb. 24, 2007

Well folks, the tour is almost over for me and my boys and it has been the coolest, mostly thanks to the boys in the band and the great audiences.  German fans are the most loyal people I know, but going to Austria was amazing as well.  We played 2 shows in Vienna and Steyer with Mike and the Massive Allusion...a very cool guy and so were his bandmates and his friends...Steyer was an amazingly beautiful town..we were treated like kings at the show and the next day by Mike and his lovely friend Gabriela..danke schon!

Again..the boys in this band have been the coolest dudes..we have laughed a lot and for me there is no better way to go through life!

Some of the cool friends we have hung with on the tour:  Mike Brewer, John Zwaenpoel, Holger, Marion, Uli, Christina, Mike..all from the fan club..we had a blast in Berlin going out for drinks with Thomas, John Z and our new friend Angela. Last night we played with our good friends from Geislingin,  Crashing Dream, who are headed up by Fabio and Fabrizio, the nicest people I have quite possibly ever met in the rock and roll business...their band was cool...what else?  Many thanks to all the promoters, Blue Rose record,s for believing in me...I have been with them about 11 years now, and am very grateful...also thanks to our agent, Thomas Lingstaedt. who has put up with all of us and kept us going. He did a great job!  He does so much for us and all the other bands he works with/..sanke amigo.

OK, people, we will be home by Monday night and then it´s back to tacos, my daughter and the friends and family we all love! See you March 10 at the Boondocks with the Luminarios opening up for Kevin Pakulis and his band for his CE release party!

December 13, 2006

PT. I

Hola, amigos! I believe I have finally found my touring band of Luminarios
for the February tour of Germany.  I must say it was a lengthy process—lots of
people (Goerge, Sanchez, Anna, Chris Orf), wanted to go but couldn't, others,

like Lisa Novak and Paul Valdez, wanted to go but it just wasn't in the stars.

Everybody else fell between reasons and desires.

But this year’s lineup looks great. The first on board is Mr. Ken Andree, who is
also now playing in the Rubies. Mr. Andree is followed by long-time friend

and bandmate Mr. Bruce Halper, who reminded me that we have been together

(on and off) for 17 years...ouch! The last piece of the puzzle was
added last night in the person of Mr. Mark Zubia, a longtime guitar
hero/songwriter/nice guy from Tempe, AZ, playing with both

the PISTOLEROS and LOS GUYS.

Thanks you all soooo much for even considering playing with me.  I am
honored and know that we are a family and we will play together again.

Now that this is settled... "Let's Mop!”

PT. II

¡Hola otra vez, mis amigos!
First off, the Luminarios (me, Chris Orf, Anna Rosales and Bruce
Halper) played our CD release party at the Yucca Tap this past Saturday night, and it was
fantastic!  It was a great night musically for us and Los Guys (Mark Zubia).
The best part, though, was seeing old friends like Rick Barton, Brian
Thibs, Jill Norton, Sean, the former owner of the AZ Roadhouse in Tempe, and just
a slew of other really cool folks(hell, I think I even saw Rich Bush for a
split second!) who have been so supportive of my music over the years.
Thank you all for coming!

I am proud to announce that San Jacinto Records will be working with Tucsonan KEVIN PAKULIS on releasing his new album.  Kevin is a very respected musician herein town with the following musical attributes: the political awareness of Steve
Earle, the deadpan storytelling ability of Mark Knopfler, and the guitar savvy
of Billy Gibbons and Jimi Hendrix!  This guy has it all as far as I'm
concerned and I am proud he will be working with me.  His new album should
be released by Jan. 31, with his CD release party here in Tucson by early
March 2007.

Also on board with me at San Jacinto will be amazing graphics man Reid Wilson,
who also happens to own his own recording studio in downtown Tucson, so
thanks Reid. Whiskey's on me!

I'd also like to thank Brian Flagg for being so supportive to me and my
music.  He is my manager and the coolest guy I know...who else do YOU know
that feeds the homeless and poor 365 days a year and ask nothing in return
except human decency?

Also a big round of thanks to KXCI Community Radio for supporting all
sorts of great events. like the Casa Maria Thanksgiving Benefit at Club
Congress. I'd like to single out Amanda Shauger for being a kindred spirit
in her support of Kevin Pakulis and Casa Maria.

A few other thanks go to David Slutes, for supporting the show at Congress
Hotel. and Reid Wilson. for all the free posters he always gives us.
I’d also like to thanks the bands that performed this year at the
Benefit itself: Nelly and Javier Mazon, Stefan George, Ralph Gilmore, Larry Lee
Lerma, Mark Insley (who, by the way, is an amazing songwriter and knows how to
deliver a great song) and the aforementioned Mr. Pakulis, this year's headlining act.

I almost forgot to thanks my bro-in-law, Dr. Gregory Robertson, MD to the
stars, for recording this year’s show and the last 2 years before that!
What else?  Oh, thanks to Anna Rosales for keeping up the Luminarios’

My Space account.

A few general dates to look out for in 2007:

Jan. 31—Kevin Pakulis' new CD release
March 2— Kevin's CD release party with the Luminarios at Boondocks
April 15—Rich in Houston/Austin, Texas, with Lisa Novak
April—Barry "the Fish" Melton and Rich's new CD, “Duel in the Desert,” to be
released on Taxim Records in Germany
May—Sand Rubies new CD to be released
Aug-Sept— Barry and Rich tour in Europe.
Oct.— Sand Rubies European tour
Nov—Thanksgiving CD Release party for Casa Maria. The CD will be a compilation,
with performances by Kevin Pakulis, rich hopkins, stefan george, barry
melton and band, Country Joe McDonald, Nelly and Javier, Ned Sutton and Brad
Brooks...will be amazing!

Stay tuned. folks. and have a great holiday.

OH, one last thing. Most of us should be mortified, angry, sad and have some feeling of shame for being a so-called "American" who sat by and did nothing to stop the war against Iraq. I include myself in this.  Ijust saw a special last night on C-SPAN with Senator Kucinich about the investigation into this war.  In a nutshell, the Lancet Study has determined that the US press has been underreporting the amount of Iraqi
civilian deaths by gross numbers.  For instance, if we were to believe what
our newspapers are telling us, about 100,000 Iraqi civilians have been
killed, which is stunning enough, but the real truth is that as of
July 2006, nearly 655,000 civilians in Iraq have been killed...I was shocked
last night to think we have sat by, watching our TV shows, going to concerts,
buying our clothes, attending parties, having fun, etc., while
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of CIVILIANS of IRAQ have been killed NEEDLESSLY!WHAT THE FUCK? Are we so ASLEEP here in the land of milk and honey that we aren't even aware of what we have done in Iraq?  And we support a war for what reason?  Defending ourselves against terrorism??  BULLSHIT.  NO, we are at war to MAKEMONEY...at the expense of innocent people.  We are destroying an ancientcivilization.  Yes, Saddam was no saint but are we any better?
Is George Bush a man we can be proud of? I feel we can help stop this insane war by praying, protesting and not supporting the PRIVATE COMPANIES that are getting the contracts from George
Bush and his cronies. I, for one, will not be able to support buying the ARIZONA DAILY STAR because it is owned by people who knowingly went along with not reporting the REAL NEWS in Iraq.  For what??? To sell newspapers to us SHEEP.

The next time you see some person driving a car with the IDIOTIC bumper
sticker that says "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN" or "GOD BLESS AMERICA"...start praying for them.

Oh, one last thing—fellow Catholic Worker Stalwarts GEORGE PETTITE AND
"SANCHO" have both been in the hospital for different medical emergencies so
please say a prayer for both of them.. They are really good folks who give
their lives in order to make others a bit more comfortable.  Get well soon,
mis amigos.

December 1, 2006

OK, folks, it really must be the season, ‘cuz I have been getting a lot of CDs
in the mail and from my local friends here in Tucson, so I thought I would do a review of each one.  I might be losing a good friend here and there, but please remember, I am not Nick Kent and it's just my opinion!

From Houston, Texas, LISA NOVAK'S "TOO SHALLOW TO SWIM” is a masterpiece of catchy songwriting, superb singing and great hooks in the arrangements. This is Lisa's 4th album, más o ménos and all I can say is that she has arrived!  Her music is "alt-country” for sure, which I sometimes hate, but her dark and seductive voice has me believing in a way I never did before...She has really matured as a songwriter and singer and her band did
the tunes justice.   fell in love with her driving home from El Paso the other day, listening to her voice tell me (OK, the listener!) that “forgot to tell me how much she loves me" on my personal favorite "I Remembered I Forgot,” which she claims is just some sort of inside joke of hers about how cheesy Nashville songwriters really are. Well this lady is ready for the Big Time!  If I were Clive Davis, she'd be signed! Five stars! (*****)

From Tucson...me and my new album, "THE HORSE I RODE IN ON.”  OK, if I am
going to opinionate on other folk's albums, I have to do it to mine as well!
Hmmm...I think it is a masterpiece!  Nah, just kidding.  I think it is a
decent album, but I am too close to this album to be completely fair...so I will say
that it's a solid record in the typical Hopkins style, with some great guitar
playing by Hopkins and his friends Adrian Esparza, Stefan George and Alan Durham. Hopkins' songwriting has matured and the overall sound of the album is full and warm, true to Rich's vision. However, he could have used more outside help in the production area but in Tucson there aren’t many that have more experience in
this particular arena...OK, I agree, it's hard to self-review, but in the
span of all my albums I have done, I would rate this about 3 stars out
of 5.  Solid effort but nothing like RED, WHITE AND BLUE or TENDER MERCIES.
Next...

MOZART’S SISTER, from Tucson, AZ.  My friend Amy Munoz gave this to me a few
weeks ago and besides a catchy sexy front cover depicting a chick's ass
and lingerie, this 4 song CD is more like a quick demo than a finished product.  The songwriting is average, at best, and  Amy's vocals are not loud enough...basically, it’s just a poorly-mixed demo.  My daughter liked the song "Crack Whore," but these
tunes are not going to get these guys to the big time...but hey, who cares
about that?! One star. (*)

EDENLESS BAR, PARTY JAMS VOL. 1 (2002-2006)...This is from the cool scenester from Peter Hard to Handle who lives in Germany.  Peter is a man I met some56 years ago in Tubingen and is a big fan of music, live rock and roll or whatever kind of music...he decided to start having bands/friends who might be on tour (like the Luminarios) stop by his beautiful home on their off days--a plot probably arranged with the booking agent--and invite the band to play in his "garage" with all his buddies partying and hanging out...a damn fine time, I have to admit!  Peter and his family are very Euro-cool and love to throw a party. He records everyone in his “Party room,” so he released this for fun and sent us all copies...of course, the Lumes are on it, doing "Touch U Girl"...as I recall, we were supposed to play semi-acoustically, to which I said "No fucking way!" and, well, maybe I should have!  Just kidding...we sounded like a real garage band of the 60's, with fuzz boxes and all...the rest of the 12 acts or so are mostly from the USA and they were all pretty good doing their mostly Bob Dylan-y kinda thing, you know, harp and acoustic guitar,
kinda sensitive stuff...some of it boring, to be honest. It was fun to rock out in a
tiny room and not have any promoter tell to us to "turn down"...Thanks Peter...

Finally...the new BLACK SUN ENSEMBLE album, BOLT OF APOLLO, on Australia's Camera Obscura Records...I love Jesus Acedo, Tucson's own acid-fried homie version of George Harrison meets Jimmy Page...this guy is for real as far as being "Master of the guitar," terms that are thrown around so easily these days and usually a bunch of hooey, but Jesus is a master...hell, he even called his one album
that I produced (back in 1992???) "Psyche Master EL"...definitely ahead of his
time.

Regarding the new album...well, it's OK. I love the drumming, ‘cuz
it's my old vato homie Ernie Mendoza on the skins, so the tunes are pretty
rock solid as far as rhythm and arrangements go....Jesus was in good shape for
this recording, and even invited me to record some of my squawk, but it was
very quick...I felt rushed. there was no practicing and "one take only" was
the way Jesus chose to have me record.  My hat's off to Brian Maloney
and Eric. who continue to be the stable forces in this band while Jesus continually gets sidetracked doing lots of shameful drugs on Tucson's southside...those two
guys actually got the record done and out...good job!

Oh, yeah, the music?  I haven't heard it since the rough mixes, but it wasn't
like when Jesus was in his prime in 1988 when he was "the master.”  I hope he
sells lots of CDs so he can help his mother and buy a guitar again to play.
2.5 stars and A for effort.

OK...that’s it for now. I know I didn't like all of these recordings (mine included, in some ways), so don't hate me.  Remember the old adage: Bad publicity is better than no publicity!

Rich

November 23, 2006

Hola, amigos!  Long time it seems.  It also seems like I have had a lot less
to report on this past year but, in reality, that is furthest from the truth.
So much of what I have been involved in has been more personal versus
business/music so I just haven't really felt as inspired to write on my web
site. But since it is the holiday season, I'd like to say a few things that I feel
thankful/grateful for:
First off, for those of you who are squeamish about reading or discussing
GOD, you may want to shut this page down! No, I won't say too much about God, except that I am grateful to what God has provided me in my life, the most obvious being love, family, forgiveness, friends, sharing, truth... the list goes on.  I am grateful that I believe in God because I don't feel alone knowing God is with me and always has been, whether I knew it or not. Trust me, this isn't the version of God that I was force-fed as a Catholic.  I am talking about knowing that there is a really meaningful purpose as to why we are all here on earth and knowing this life is no happy accident but a beautifully laid-out plan for us humans to wake up and start doing meaningful things— loving each other, taking care of the sick and poor, cleaning up the trash and pollution (or at least not adding to it), respecting mother earth and each other...

Why do we make life so hard on ourselves???? I know for myself that the best teacher is the school of hard knocks and I think it's part of God our creator's plan that we learn to "smell the roses.”
My point is also that life is really beautiful and I for one am ready to
go with the flow of this idea of beauty.  Sound like a bunch of spiritual
hippy shit to you?  Well, maybe, but all you have to do is be honest with yourself and ask yourself "Am I happy?”  I think life is easy but us dumb-ass humans
have to make our mistakes to realize that we aren't in control of our
happiness and our ultimate destiny.  So why fight it? I want to thank these people for many different reasons, too many to mention (but I might try!):
Lu Hawkins, for her beauty, love, faith and ability to forgive.
Mark Hansen, for being the boy man he is. His criticism of me actually
opened up my eyes and helped me understand life a little better.
Riri, for caring about me and helping me to see that I can be a horse’s ass
sometimes!
Anna Rosales, for her faith and love she has had for me and my music.
Fish Karma, for doing this web master job for peanuts!
Ted Riviera, for being so damn kind and helpful.
Jim Cranney, for being the same as Ted!
Russy "the fossil" Aldrich, my cousin whom I love!
Liz Robertson, my sister, who loves and knows me better than most folks!
Greg Robertson, my bro, for his unselfishness in being there for me and my
friends.
Greg Goode, for teaching me that I can say "nigga" only if it is said with
love!
Brian Flagg, for being my friend and a teacher about the real world. "Fuck
whitey!"
Damn, I have a lot of friends and who are there for me beyond the call of
duty: Ana Celia, na Sylvia and Don Eduardo Romero, Susan Kieralyn, Tom and
Kimberlyn McGreal, Thibs,, Maria, Nelly, slutes, Daisey, Spike...shit, the
list is way too long and there are many others whom I care about but I will
just say that I am so damn appreciative of what you all have brought to my
life...thanks!!!

Oh a few odds and ends...it's almost a few months till I go back on tour to
Germany, maybe Holland, and right now I don't even have a definite band
lineup picked out..what's up with that??  I was told to pray and God would
deliver but nothing yet. although there are almost too many choices. I
have to have a band picked out in a week or so or the price to fly overseas
will be stupid!  Pray for me...or just send me your wish list!

Oh, I love this folk duo from Europe back in the 60's..Dorita y Pepe...they
sang beautiful harmonies from Latin America...cool stuff!

As my good friend Brian Flagg would say, a few "call outs" are in order:
George Pettite who just has an operation on his colon but looks like he will
survive!  George is the brains of the Casa Maria operation and has been for
over 15 years...you go, George!
Old timer Jerry Robinette, a longtime activist in farm labor unions and a
huge part of Casa Maria...he is quite elderly but I just saw him and want to
say thanks for all his love and work for the "Poor and needy"...we are in
solidarity.
My good friend, Greg Goode who just had his appendix taken out./.almost a
week too late. you bone brain!  Anyways, I love you and get well soon.
amigo!
Also Mike Brewer, my buddy from England who has had a myriad of problems
this past year...Mike, get well soon and when in doubt, "Breathe"!

Have a great holiday my friends and we will see you soon!

September 20, 2006

Hola, folks!  Thought I would check in and say that I am well and glad to be alive.

I was driving down the road today and saw this woman walking her dog with
her handy plastic bag just in case her dog had to take a poop. I have seen
this before and have actually done it myself, but I usually feel a bit weird having to walk my dog, Daisy, with a plastic bag in hand...I guess I am self-conscious about having to walk around with some dog poop in my hand.  Is this bad?  No, but I just don't like it...the most important thing is that I admired this
woman for doing the right thing. and she acted like it was the most normal
thing in the world. So what's my problem?  Like I am too good to pick up
shit?!  Really, I pick up all the tramps’ trash around the Casa Maria Soup
Kitchen when I am asked, and it's OK, but my own dog's poop?  I need to grow
up!

And growing up is hard to do, but I am making some progress.

Musically, I have a new CD, “The Horse I Rode In On,” coming out next month on San Jacinto Records and in Germany on Blue Rose Records. I think it's good; I was told by some friends that it is excellent. Jimbo Howell said so and so did my faithful friend, Ted Riviera, but would they ever say anything differently for fear of their lives? Thomas, my old German friend, told me, “Typical Rich Hopkins album…good guitar stuff but nothing new, not as good as El Paso or Devolver…But no one expects you to do anything different.” It wasn’t meant as a derogatory statement, it was just his honest opinion. I did my best and it's up to the listeners to decide. This is my 10th studio Luminarios album and I wonder if it will be my last…I’m not quitting music, but I do have an idea of starting a new band with different songwriters from Tucson whom I like...I won't say too much about this project ‘cuz I don't want anybody reading this to steal my idea and I know there are spies out there!

Really, I’m not sure what to do. but change is always healthy.  Come to think of
it, I was totally depressed last Thanksgiving until I met up with Barry
Melton to record. and we just went in the studio without rehearsal or knowing
any of the songs, and just cut a whole album in 30 hours...and it got me out
of my head and back to my music!