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Guest Worship Leader and Speaker Rick Lee James
Rick Lee James is a professional singer and songwriter, a gifted speaker, worship leader and Podcast host who has worked with the likes of Jason Gray, Andrew Peterson, Sara Groves, Michael Card, Brian Zahnd, Tripp York, Brett Mccracken, Ian Morgan Cron and many more. In 2013 Rick released his first Live album of original songs called, Basement Psalms Live. Rick wrote a book to accompany the album called, Out of the Depths, which is schedule to be released in 2013 as well. Rick has also been a contributing writer for Worship Leader Magazine and has had a number of songs published by Lifeway Worship, including, I Lift Up My Eyes and Advent Hymn.
Rick began his musical journey at the age of 5 singing as the youngest member of his traveling family of evangelists. At age 15 Rick began learning to play the guitar and by the age 17 he was performing on the stage of the world famous Ryman Auditorium and working as an assistant guitar teacher in the Doc Stone school of music in Dickson Tennessee.
In the years since then Rick has also released more than 6 albums including:
“Workin’ On Commission” in 1997
“Rick James Music” in 2006
“A Little Lower Than The Angels” in 2008
“Christmas Songs” in 2009
“Changes” in 2011
“Advent Hymn (Single with Brannon Hancock)” 2012
“Basement Psalms (LIVE)” 2013
“Out Of The Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through The Psalms (Companion Book to Basement Psalms Live) Schedule to be released early 2013
Rick’s music is dedicated to the hopeless who have been crushed and broken on the spokes of life. To the people who just can’t seem to muster the strength to get up out of the dirt. To the ones whose hearts are wrecked to the point of utter despair. To the ones who have fallen captive to the prison of addiction and wonder if they will ever be free. To the people of faith who just can’t see Jesus through the rains that have blurred their eyes. To the one cringing in the shadows of the loneliest corners desperate to see the light.
In Rick’s words, “I just want to be a part of bringing hope into the world. Not as one who is the light but as one who points to the light. I want to be able to point my fingers to the God who makes all drakness flee and proclaim to all who live in the shadows, ‘behold, your light has come.’”
Music has been a way for Rick to experience Gods healing. In 2006 Rick’s 7 year marriage crumbled leaving him wondering where to go next. “It was like a death had occurred, only worse because there was no corpse to mourn. You pray for the healing of the marriage but when the healing doesn’t come it shakes you to the core.” With the support of his church family, good friends, and much prayer Rick was able to pick up the pieces and begin ministering in new ways that he had never been able to relate before.
In 2008, Rick was honored to speak, teach, and perform at Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya. “I was only in Kenya for couple of weeks but the impact it had on me will last a lifetime. I went to minister to the student in Nariobi, but you could say that they ended up taking me to school in the ways of Christian worship, generosity, and passion for God. They gave much more to me than I was able to bring them.”
In 2009, in addition to his normal tour schedule, Rick played for 10,000 people at the Church of the Nazarene General Assembly in Orlando Florida, backed by a choir of friends from Kenya called Shangalia, who incidentally went on to record Rick’s song “You Are There With Me”.
As time went by and God brought healing in to his life, Rick married Jennifer Ann Olson in 2011. “The best part is that I met Jenn at my church. I’m amazed at the goodness of the Lord and how he bring beauty from Ashes.” Rick and Jenn live in Springfield Ohio and still minister at the same church.
In 2012 Rick began a new endeavor, show creator and host of “Voices In My Head (The Official Rick Lee James Podcast) ”. Through the Podcast Rick has been able to work with some of the best and brightest authors, pastors, musicians, and people of interest in pop culture today. Also in 2012, Rick’s article “Billy Joel Taught Me How To Pray” was published in Worship Leader Magazine, a national publication that goes out to worship leaders all of over the United States.
Rick is available for festivals, coffeehouses, churches, retreats, camps, and most any other venue. To read more about Rick, hear his music or see performance videos, please visit Rick’s website at www.RickLeeJames.com
