Album Notes

Currently with '70's country rock pioneers PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE Rick Schell is the former drummer and "spark plug" behind the Academy of Country Music Awards nominated, Top 20 Billboard charting ("Barbed Wire And Roses") and CMT Top 10 video artist Pinmonkey. He has appeared on albums by and/ or toured the world with such luminary artists as Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, Southside Johnny, and Steve Forbert among others. As a founding member of Pinmonkey and co-producer of thier first album he was instrumental in developing thier sound by providing a rock back beat and pop arrangements to a decidedly folkish/ bluegrass approach. His high harmonies and vocal arrangements helped ensure keeping one foot in the traditional while forging respectable success in the mainstream.
  Originally from a small town in Upstate New York (Homer), Rick cut his teeth singing and playing drums in the V.F.W's, Rod and Gun clubs and bars of the central New York area which provided a well rounded background in many styles of music as well as the sometimes sordid lifestyle of the working musician. Lessons he still employs today. Back then he would sing lead if he could find a drummer or visa versa and many times he would pull double duty. Cortland County, N.Y. surpisingly has been a breeding ground for some world renowned musicians and was home to rock legend Ronnie James Dio as well as members of Black Sabbath, Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow and Elf. Quite the pedigree for a largely rural, dairy farming community. There was also a healthy dose of blues, country and bluegrass music to be found. All of these musicians profoundly affected Rick as he witnessed thier show's at school dances/ concerts and from listening through the walls of the local rehearsal place or sneaking into the local clubs to see them play before and while he was playing professionally still under the legal age. The band ELF was much like The Faces, Free, Bad Company or more recently The Black Crowes and that influence can be plainly heard on parts of "Salt Of The Earth". In fact former members of the Crowes have played live with Rick and appear on some of these recordings.
  Coming from a family of seven, of which he is second to
youngest, Rick's older siblings (his brother being a drummer who gave Rick "The Curse" with a drum kit and the encouragement in which to implement it) also contributed to his musical development in that they through "guilt by association" turned him on to the music of the Beatles, Stones, Eagles, Outlaws, Poco, Doobie Brothers and so on. The musical environment in which Rick was reared is testimony enough in explaining the make up of the songs included in this album.
  Following a stint anchoring the rhythm section and of course singing with vocalist extrordinaire Benny Mardones ("Into The Night"), Rick, along with his wife Sara relocated to Nashville, Tn. Arriving in Nashville without the benefit knowing a single soul, Rick became a foot soldier in the burgeoning Americana music scene, playing and recording with many of the most original and integral artists of that genre including Buddy and Julie Miller, Tim Carroll, Kevin Gordon, Lonesome Bob, Duane Jarvis, Greg Trooper and Elizabeth Cook. Appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Austin City Limits, The Today Show, CMT and The Grand Ole Opry helped to build a solid reputation as a "go to" singing drummer.
    After several years of being asked why he didn't and after being encouraged by his musical peers, friends and perfect strangers alike, with the help of T.C., Michael Webb (Fugitive Glue) and a collection of musicians whose resume's include Kid Rock, Joe Perry, Hank Williams Jr., Pat Green, Reba McIntire andPatty Loveless. Rick has finally produced and released his own album that showcases his voice and (co-)song writing at the forefront and his abilities on several different instruments on the back side.
    In this age of artists who claim that thier music is influenced by thier "roots" and then simply follow the trends, Rick's desire was to put together an album where the only "rules" were that it feel good, is honest about where he came from . With the title track being a tribute to his late Uncle, "She Got A Heart" paying homage to his wife and the last track "Precious And Blessed" a heartfelt message of healing to his family regarding the death of his Mother to cancer in 2002, Rick Schell shows that he, the people he surrounds himself with and this album are indeed "Salt Of The Earth".