Rick and The Ramblers Western Swing Band

NEWS & REVIEWS

What The Big Shots Say About Rick & The Ramblers

"I have had the pleasure of promoting Rick Norcross and his music for twenty-five years. Rick & The Ramblers have performed with the WOKO banner behind them at Vermont State Parks, Block Parties, and a variety of Festivals including six times at the WOKO Country Club Music Festival, an event that regularly drew over 10,000 fans. Never has Rick disappointed a crowd! His unique brand of witty Vermont humor & Western Swing music keeps the audience smiling and asking for more. If you are looking for a showman and a tight band, look no further than Rick & The Ramblers!"
....Dan Dubonnet, Senior Vice President & General Manager, WOKO/WKOL/WBTZ/WIZN/WJOY (802)658-1230

"I’ve hired the talented Rick & The Ramblers to appear on numerous occasions on the Church Street Marketplace. With warm good humor, and much original as well as familiar music, Rick and his Ramblers are a ticket to a good time and a great performance. You’ll have a hard time staying in your seat when the music begins as it begs audience participation. The sound is a terrific blend of great harmonies, creative musicianship and amazing showmanship. When I hire this band I try to be sure to be in the audience myself for the whole performance. You’ll never meet a more accommodating or friendly guy than the leader of the band, Rick Norcross. Enjoy! I do!"
...Becky Cassidy, Marketing Consultant, The Church Street Marketplace (802)865-7253

"I am especially proud of your commitment to promoting the music of Vermonters. Like the Ticonderoga, it is very important to the culture and history of our state"
... Patrick Leahy, (VT-D) U.S. Senator, Washington, D.C.

"From the moment I heard the first notes of the fiddle and accordion, I liked Rick & The Ramblers new CD 'I Rode The Ti.' ...'I Rode The Ti' has become my new favorite CD to listen to on my way to work"
... Dawn Gustafson, The Hardwick Gazette

"...every song sounds like a classic... brilliantly produced... narratives that celebrate Vermont culture and history"
... John Pritchard, Seven Days

"This homey CD just screams 'Made in Vermont' thanks to songs celebrating the old Lake Champlain steamboat Ticonderoga and driving the entire length of the state on U.S. 7. Rick Norcross' weather-worn voice and vocalist Taryn Noelle's sweet sounds make for a nice opposites-attract pairing
... Brent Hallenbeck, The Burlington Free Press

"Thanks much for your new CD, 'I Heard the Highway.' I'm a great fan of you and the Ramblers. Keep up the Great Work!"
... Bernard Sanders, (VT-Ind.) U.S. Senator, Washington, DC

"Two of the highlights of the 75th Anniversary of the Vermont State Parks were the concerts by Rick & The Ramblers. You have a great group. Everyone mentioned that it was very obvious that your group was having a good time."
... Larry Simino, Director of State Parks, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation

"My entire family got to hear the Ramblers & they never sounded better!"
... Dan Dubonnet, Vice President/General Manager, 98.9WOKO, KOOL 105, WJOY

"The sound is smooth, the playing flawless and the production from Charles Eller Studios is mighty pleasing to the ear. There isn't a single flat on 'I Heard the Highway'"
... Pamela Polston, Publisher, Seven Days, Burlington

"We had our largest crowd of the year, close to 9,000, and the reaction to your performance from everybody was 100% favorable. It is a part of Vermont and the perfect afterglow to our season."
... Ken Squier, Owner of Radio Vermont stations, Barre's Thunder Road and The CBS Voice of Auto Racing

"I consider Rick Norcross one of Vermont's finest entertainers. Catch the Rambler if you can... and enjoy the ride!"
... Jack Donovan, Radio Vermont WDEV

"Rick & his band played before one of the largest crowds we ever had! They were dependable and a pleasure to work with. We are looking forward to having them back next year."
... Rick Darby, Chairman of the Concerts in the Park Program, Waterbury Rotary Club

"I want to thank you and your entire band for playing at my inaugural celebration.
The evening was a success and your music was terrific!"
... Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, former Governor of The Great State of Vermont and former Presidential Candidate

What The Papers Say About Rick & The Ramblers

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Cassette Album Covers

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Comments From The e-Mailbag

I used our chat as an opportunity to listen to "I Rode the Ti", which I did yesterday. I loved it, I think the "I Rode the Ti" song was a particularly wonderful piece but really all of it was just terrific, not just the lyrics but the quality of the music. I am sure we will want to carry some of these here in our store.
... Best regards, Arthur B. Cohn, Executive Director, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

I do an Americana show on Saturday nights from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm on WRUW FM 91.1 Cleveland. Last Saturday night, I discovered and played your wonderful song "You're Gonna Get Hurt" on an Oasis Country CD. Can you send me a copy of your CD "I Rode the Ti"? I'll be sure to give you more airplay. Thanks so much -
... Art Hanson, www.radioartonline.com

I'm trying to obtain a copy of your "I Rode The Ti" cd for review - can you help? I'm currently editing, and regularly contributing to Leicester Bangs zine, and supplying the occasional review for Bucketfull Of Brains (one of the longest established UK zines, founded in 1979, I think).
... Thank you, Rob Forbes, www.leicesterbangs.co.uk

The postman delivered the CD this afternoon and I gave it a listen. I've enjoyed all of it, and I'm going to write nice reviews later this afternoon but don't expect a publication before Spring, for some of the mags I contribute to aren't monthly (one is, another is bi-monthly, three are quarterly), and as the editors must keep a balance between their contributors (I sent more than 85 reviews in 2005, more than 300 in 2006, 293 in 2007, more than 290 last year). I'll e-mail copies of the reviews upon receiving the mags, don't worry about that.
... Bernard Boyat, Bourg-en-Bresse, France

Thanks for all your great music! ps. I love the photos!
... Best, Jackie Sauter, Director, North Country Public Radio

I'm a French speaking from Québec, Canada. The last summer, during the Fourth of July in Montpelier, my wife and me have passed a very pleasant moment with your band, on the grass, under the rain... Poetic! I love your music and can I command a CD (I will pay in cash). So, how much with the shipping fees to Alma, Québec, Canada? Thanks, God Bless!
... Marc Fournier

Say Rick, Forgive me for taking so long to write and say that I really enjoyed your latest musical milestone, "I Rode The Ti", and thank you for sending it to me. I really enjoyed the music, and never fail to be impressed with the way you use words. From lyrics to promotion, you're a master wordsmith my friend. It's a real toe tapper for sure.
... Frank Ross, former Executive Director, The Florida State Fair

Hi, Rick! It's Johanna Prince. I just loved your new CD, I Rode the Ti, and would like to know how I could purchase two more for friends that I know will love it too. I could mail you a check or whatever. Please let me know. Thank you, and take care...

Hey Rambler; Thought you might be interested in knowing that North Country Public Radio just played my favorite song today at 4:40 PM!! "I Rode The Ti" and It sounded great!
... Steven Frederick, Vice President, Clinton Community College

Hi Rick, Was away for a few days and upon return found your CD waiting. Really enjoyed listening to your latest songs . Although your material and style has changed over the many years I've known you - your voice is still the same - warm with the lovely mellow vibrato and unmistakably YOU. Surrounded by some super musicians and very well recorded, your CD should market well.
... Love and best wishes Derek Sarjeant, singer and folk club organizer, England

Hi Rick, I received your new "I Rode The TI" CD today and listened to it immediately. Now I must admit that I am not a big country or western fan, but I really did enjoy it! You have a new fan in Albany NY. I'll be sharing it with my friends and co-workers down here and hopefully helping to sell some for you. It had special meaning for me of course being from VT and Hardwick. I also spent 6 years in Middlebury driving on Route 7. I definitely understood and feel the same about VT. I like Albany, NY and am making a good living down here, but Hardwick, VT will always be home. Most people would not understand being raised in a small town and small state, but I truly believe we are better people as a result. I want to thank you for remembering me and sending me this (CD). This is a perfect example of what I am talking about. Friends doing things for each other because they can and want to. I will check out your website and schedule as I hope to attend some of your concerts.
... Thank you again, John Bellavance

My kids and I love your CD! Thank you for sharing. I would love to see your group play live sometime.
... Karyn Vogel, Director of Development, Snelling Center for Government

Hi Rick: Received the final copy of the CD, many thanx. We have enjoyed playing the demo since we first heard your group back in June. I especially like the booklet enclosed with the CD with the lyrics to the songs. Best of luck in the future.
... Regards, Ray Laverty, Collectors Association, Mount Joy, PA

Rick's Pix

From 1969 to 1974, Rick covered the music scene for The Tampa Times, a Media General afternoon daily newspaper with a circulation of 80,000. Though he was hired as a reviewer and critic, he found that he needed to take his own photographs of the concerts he was covering to get the images necessary to accompany his stories. Here are some of the photographs he shot during those years. (Rick has many thousands of negatives from the hundreds of shows and festivals he covered over the five year period. We will scan and add more photos on a regular basis so check back often.

Visit Rick's Pix Gallery

Rick & The Ramblers launched a fund drive in July of 2008 with a "Homecoming Concert" in East Hardwick to raise funds to replace the crumbling Hardwick Town House Front Steps. The fund drive raised over $10,000 in less than six months. See the following stories, reviews and posters recounting that initiative:

You can download our reviews in pdf format ():