We had the good fortune of connecting with Rick Potter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rick, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
In my life I would substitute the word,  “risk” with “faith”. I take “risks” on the basis of my faith and what I feel God had placed on my path or where I’m feeling lead at the time. I feel “risk”, too often has a negative connotation attached to it.

Risk’s role in my life hasn’t always played out in the way I thought it should have, although I often find those early risks paid dividends in the present. Life is risk. In fact I would say risk is essential to success. To me, it’s the other half of the Law of Attraction.

The “What If” factor is also a huge motivator in assessing risk. Looking back on my life, it seems I have often ran towards risk. This comes out of not wanting to live with regret.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an entertainer and performer by nature. My parents tell stories of when I was a toddler I’d put little shows on in the kitchen with a toy piano and ham it up. I love being onstage. It’s the only place I’m 100% me. Pure joy and energy. I tell people the best hours of my week are those spent onstage performing. You will always get an honest and emotive performance from me.

Guitar came at age 9, bass soon after, drums in middle school along with tenor and alto sax. My first cover band came in middle school (we played the ice cream social, fancy…) comprised of all my band geek friends.

My first concert at age 3 was Huey Lewis and the News under the St. Louis Arch.

I saw Back to the Future pretty young. When Marty plugged into that giant amp and played the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance…I wanted to do THAT! As I write this I just now realized the cosmic correlation between my first concert and said film…We going to have a paradox Doc?!

More bands came and went but my first big “break” (or so I thought), was when I joined a band called Junior Doctor (still on Spotify to this day). They had a record, they were charting, they were on the radio, touring, opening for multi platinum artists, press, all the makings of what you think is success except for one thing, we were broke. So after learning real quickly how the music industry worked, and some band drama, that ended.

I took a break from music after that. I played in a few churches here and there, struggled to find out what exactly my purpose was, finished college, did what I thought I was “supposed to do” and frankly floundered for a number of years until Dallas came calling.

If any of my journey has been “easy”, it’s been the actual technical playing part of music. I thought Covid was tough and I feared for the live entertainment industry (still do). Or maybe it was when I went flying off of a 4 wheeler, broke my back, my wrist, and bumped my head. Nope…the hardest time of my journey is now; not having my Father around to be cheering me on and sharing with him all the exciting gigs and travels.

My brand is me, so that comes with a lot of self-discipline, accountability, motivation, and stress . Right now I’m my own PR, HR, Booking Agent, and Marketing Manager.

When I came to DFW in 2019 from central Florida, I had no idea how big the music scene and in particular, the party band/club/bar scene is. The level of talent and production blew my mind. I knew I had to be a part of it. Finally I saw the opportunity to give this music career thing another shot. I was inspired, re-invigorated.

I’m excited for the future. I’m already booked into August with more on the way. I know it’s going to be a great year and I am proud of my resilience despite tragedy, sickness, and injury, I have persevered and continue to follow my dreams.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sherlock’s Addison, Side Car Social, Sambuca 360, take a walk around Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas, Torchy’s tacos, drive through Highland Park and look at all the mansions, Dealey Plaza, Texas Live, Brain Dead Brewing or anywhere in Deep Ellum, The Gaylord Texan, Lake Grapevine, and old downtown Grapevine.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All my gifts, talents, and success are on loan from God, so thanks to Him first off.

My Father, Mother, and Brother deserve thanks for being my biggest fans (especially my Father who recently very unexpectedly, passed away) and supporters, in every form.

To Mr. Jim LeFevre. My first and only personal one on one guitar, bass, saxophone instructor, and friend.

I’d also be remissed if I didn’t credit Marty McFly (yes, from Back to the Future), Eddie Van Halen, and Mark Tremonti as my musical heroes and influences.

And to anyone that took a chance on me, thank you.

Instagram: rjpmusicusa

Facebook: RJP Music

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkfgeerPev-eQWqqNOt2l-A

Image Credits
Kauwuane, Thomas E. Moore,

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