Rick McAlister
As an only child who grew up in the middle of nowhere in the great Midwest, music was my outlet and my way of staying entertained for hours as a kid. I started recording songs at the age of 11, and by my early twenties I had written music for several plays in Ohio.
In 2004, I released my first CD, entitled Surplus Cheese. This infamous collection of satirical and political songs drew rave reviews from some and head-scratching from others. The album featured dryly humorous lyrics set to an electronic big band accompaniment. Much to my delighted surprise, the pseudo-Christmas song called “Li’l Drummer Boy” ended up being played on radio stations across the country.
2009 welcomed the release of My Own Little World, my second CD. This collection of highly personal songs draws from an eclectic mix of influences, including rock, alternative, blues, funk, and folk. It was recorded during a 3-year period in which I lost 5 family members and experienced the sudden end of a long-term relationship. Nonetheless, the music is certainly not all doom and gloom! Ultimately, there’s a sense of energy and hopefulness that I hope resonates with listeners.
Along the way, I’ve also written everything from wedding music to a jingle for an ad campaign, and my orchestral piece “Every Dog Has His Day” was just premiered by the Jubilee Orchestra in Asheville, NC. Stay tuned for more audio samples on this site, and please visit the contact page if you have any requests for new work!