Meet Ricky Paul | singer, song writer, pastor, author, playwright, actor, tv producer, tv host, content creator, husband, father, friend

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

Hi Ricky, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thoughts behind starting my own business was this. I have successfully run other people’s businesses and had not gotten where I wanted to be financially. So, I decided to make some changes. I knew it was not going to be an easy thing to do. But I knew that it would give me peace of mind in that I would be creating something from scratch and watching it grow. To me that is most satisfying. There have been some lean times but still it has been something that I love to do. Being in control of your own life is far greater than letting someone else write the narrative. Working on your own business will inspire others around you to believe that it is possible for them to do the same. It must start with you getting past your fears so that you can meet the real you, most of us do not ever find out who we really are because we are living someone else’s dream. I had to live my truth; I was born to lead. I was born to sing, write and worship. I was born to do it the way God purposed for me to do it, not like someone else he made me to be myself. So, starting my ministry was not easy but to be honest, yes with all the heart ships, hurts, pain, loneliness, being laughed at, being left out of the conversations, and not being called upon but overlooked. It is worth it my truth will be recognized because God has purposed it. One day he will bring it to pass that all will hear the songs that he has written in me. I found out that money is the last thing in his plan, Love, faith, and honor. I will give him glory and honor because he alone deserves it. He supplies all my needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer and song writer, I write and sing Soulful Country Gospel Music. The music that God has given me is country with a twist. My music sometimes has a R&B flavor, Southern Country Gospel, and Rap with a twist. But at the end of the day, it is Country Gospel Music full of soul. I am most proud of the fact that God allowed me to write music that make people remember the good times from yesterday as well as the bad and still come to a point of worship. I have three songs that were an extra blessing to me, “Mamma Knew How to Pray,” I wrote that about my upbringing and dedicated it to my mother and all the mothers of the world. “Miss my Daddy,” I wrote about the memories of my father. I will never forget the things he poured into me that have kept me every day of my life. “Diana’s Song,” God wrote this for my beautiful wife, it simply talks about the love that I have for her. He brought her to me, and I knew I would love her with all of myself. It has not been easy, the music business is hard to navigate, for as many people love music they do not support financially. I found you must do something that you love, so when it gets hard you dig deeper into your fighting mode, which is your faith in the Lord. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. There are times that you will have to walk alone, people will not be able to go with you, because God wants you to himself. You must learn to be ok with that. He told us that he is a jealous God. Sometime people want to understand where he is leading you and sometimes you want to understand, but you must trust God.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is hard for me because I am usually a home body, when I am not traveling with my music. My favorite place to eat is the Chinese restaurant, Golden Buffet, then we would go to dinosaur museum, and to the park to enjoy the outdoors and people watch. Then to my home recording studio, hopefully to record some music with them just to make that memory. Then that evening, we would have pizza on the porch and watch the stars in the sky. I would share my favorite non-alcoholic drink “ginger beer” it is the bomb. I love city skylines at night. They are awesome and my favorites are Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
God for creating me. Wilbert & Florence Puckett, caring and supportive parents. Diana Puckett, my wife, the second love of my life and a super supporter. Billy Puckett, my older brother who believed in me, when I did not believe in myself. Mrs. Wille Mae Williams, my Sunday School teacher, gave me my stage name “Ricky Paul” when I was a little boy. Milton Wallace is my friend and supporter. Thomastown High School is where I got my first experience of dealing with the world. Mrs. Dot Hardy, Mrs. Mildred, Mr. Charles Chiplin for seeing the gift of singing & performing in me. Mr. Adel Williams, my Math teacher, blessed me with my first audience, my math class.

There are so many that poured into me. I would like to also give a shout out to those who told me, I would never be anything. I thank them for lighting that fire in me, which gave me the determination to move forward. I bless them all.

Website: www.rickypaulpuckett.com

Other: I am promoting my website at this time because my website is a One Stop Shop. Contact Me, Book Me, Music downloads, Rent Videos, Watch for free my Live “Around God’s Throne” weekly TV Show that I Host, Merch Store (Inspirational T-Shirts, My Book “Collection of Songs Inspired by God”, 2024 Indie Gospel Calendar and Gift Cards (The gift card allows a person to purchase products from my website all year round).

Image Credits
Paul Puckett