www.tinyurl.com/rickyfitzgerald www.rickyfitzgerald.webs.com _____________________________________________________________________________ \\\\\___RICKY FITZGERALD AND THE LOST HIGHWAY BAND___\"-._ /////~~~ MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA ~~~/.-' _____________________________________________________________________________ * Please Note: Scroll down to read a brief Biography of Ricky Fitzgerald _____________________________________________________________________________ U P D A T E S - S H O W S - R E L E A S E S - E T C _____________________________________________________________________________ Update December 23rd, 2010 Jan. 8 Hollonville Opry in Hollonville, GA @ 6:30 p.m. with Slim Pickins Band _____________________________________________________________________________ Update August 27, 2010 Aug. 27 Red Hill School House @ 7:00 Red Hill, AL Sept. 10 "The Corner" Bill Hamilton's Place @ 7:00 Sylacauga, AL Sept. 11 D.C.'s Place @ 7:00 Wallsboro, AL Sept. 25 Old Town @ 9:00a.m. Montgomery, AL Oct. 9 Paul's Country Barn @ 8:00 U.S.331 Opp, AL Oct. 16 Joe's Country Opry @ 7:00 Bessemer, AL (off Hyw.23-4 miles outside of Bessemer) Oct. 23 Cedar Point Center @ 2:00 Old Selma Rd. Montgomery, AL _____________________________________________________________________________ Update July 29, 2010 From Robert Ackerman: RICKY FITZGERALD: LATEST CD - There is good news and bad news.... The good news: Ricky DOES have a new CD out - which is titled "Country Tradition" - it has 10 tracks (which includes eight Hank cover songs and two Ray Price cover songs.......fantastic, in addition to some wonderful vocals Ricky is backed by a heck of a band - "PeeWee Dutton and the Good Old Boys Band" - PeeWee's steel playing is especially extraordinary.... (Don Helms would be proud) - The bad news: The CD is only available at Rick's performances (and hopefully I'll have more info on the performances soon). (Maybe if you all bug Lewis Fitzgerald with your desires to buy the CD maybe a change could be made)..... and I've been hearing rumors that young Ricky is related to Hank..... in fact the band members include some others Williams - "Produced by: Sid Williams" and "Mickey Williams Rhythm Guitar" ...... and they are probably not related to Hank :) I guess it is only fair to mention the other great pickers on the CD - "Kenny Lee Lead Guitar", "Roy Songer Bass" and "Dan Mcginty Drums". _____________________________________________________________________________ Update April 6, 2010 April 10 Calico Fort @ 9:00 a.m. (Band- Peewee Dutton and The Good Old Boys) Fort Deposit, AL April 11 Calico Fort @ 12:00 May 7 Fraternal Order of Police Lodge @ 6:00 (Band Peewee Dutton and the Good Old Boys) Lower Wetumpka Rd. and Red Eagle Rd. in Montgomery, AL _____________________________________________________________________________ Update March 17, 2010 My sympathy goes out to the family of Mr. Cecil Jackson. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Ricky _____________________________________________________________________________ Update Jan 1. 2010 Hey Everyone, We were in Nashville December 18-19. During our visit Ricky was asked to perform at the World's Famous Nashville Palace. We played two shows December 18th and two shows on the 19th. We had a blast!!! Ricky met Vince Gill in a guitar store downtown and had pictures made. We also meet Jet, the four year old that is in Alan Jackson's new video. We were lucky enough to also meet Irlene Mandrell. She is a beautiful, talented lady, and of course we got pictures and autographs from her. We have been invited back again, date and time to be announced. (Hopefully in the summer) The January 8 show at the Ole Clinton Opry in Gray, GA has been canceled and will be rescheduled. Happy 2010, Ricky and Papa _____________________________________________________________________________ Update December 3, 2009 Dec. 18 Long Hollow Jamboree Goodlettesville, Tenn. (The Teresa Street Show) Dec. 29 Chisholm Community Center Montgomery, AL Remembering Hank 6:00-9:00 Jan. 8 Old Clinton Opry Gray GA ( with Slim Pickin's Country) 8:30 (Cancelled) Feb. 6 Hollonville Opry Hollonville, GA 6:30 _____________________________________________________________________________ Update November 15, 2009 Subject: Slim Pickin's Country and Ricky Fitzgerald Slim Pickin's Traditional Country will be performing at the Williamson Music Barn Saturday, Nov 21st, 2009. Special Guest will be Ricky Fitzgerald. Williamson Music Barn is located on Hwy 362 2 miles West of Williamson, GA. John Wise - HWIFC ______________________________________________________________________________ Update August 11, 2009 August 14 Red Hill School House Red Hill, AL @ 7:00p.m. August 22 Cannon Place Grier Road Community 5980 Grier Rd. Wallsboro, AL @ 6:00p.m. August 28 The Corner Bill Hamilton's Place Sylacuga, AL @ 6:00 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________ Update July 26, 2009 On a very sad note my friend Eutaska Tew, better known as "Tac" passed away Saturday July 25. Tac was a good friend, wild, crazy, and very talkative. She supported me in my musical career. I will miss her very much. I know she is talking to Jesus, and talking, and talking. I will always keep her memory in my heart. Till we met again, I love you Tac. Thanks Ricky _____________________________________________________________________________ Update May 25, 2009 May 30 5980 Grier Rd. Community in Wallsboro, AL @ 6 p.m. Free to public June 5 Sylacauga, AL @ Bill Hamilton's Place @ 6 p.m. June 11 Georgiana Theater @ 7 p.m. June 13 Hank Williams Festival @ Georgiana, AL June 20 Ole Clinton Opry House in Gray, GA (time to be announced) July 4 Long Hollow Jamboree in Nashville, TN @ 8p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________ Update April 11, 2009 April 18 @ 11:00 and April 19 @1:00 Calico Fort in Fort Deposit, AL Hope to see you there, this is one of Ricky's favorite places to Play! _____________________________________________________________________________ Update Jan 2, 2009 January 10 Private Party January 28 Whitfield Memorial United Methodist Church 6:15-7:00pm Located @ 2673 Fisk Rd. Mtg., AL Feb. 22 Highland Avenue Show Choir and Ricky will perform @ Lily Baptist Church @ 4:00 p.m. February 27 Ole Clinton Opry (with Slim Pickens Band) 6:30 Located @ Gray, GA Feb. 28 The Wagon House Opry @ 699 Altman Rd. Haddock, GA @ 8:00 _____________________________________________________________________________ Update Dec 1, 2008 Dec. 6 @ 7:00 p.m. Montgomery Zoo Festival of Lights Dec. 12 @ 6:00-9:00 Hamilton Place 8th Street, Sylacauga, Alabama Dec. 13 @ 6:00-9:00 Cannon Place 5980 Grier Rd. Wallsboro, Alabama Dec. 18-20 Nashville Tenn. Mini Vacation ( open to all possibilities) Dec. 19 @ 7:00 The Tresa Street Show Dec. 30 @ 5:00-9:00 Remembering Hank Chisholm Community Center 545 Vandiver (next to the Zoo) _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE Oct 12, 2008 Oct. 18 Wallsboro Music Hall @ 7 p.m. 5980 Grier Rd. Wallsboro, AL Oct. 25 Alabama Forestry Association Montgomery Farmers Market @ 12:00 Oct. 31 Alabama Pecan Festival Mobile AL @ 7p.m. Nov. 1 Alabama Pecan Festival Mobile, AL @ 11:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Both Pecan Festival Show with The Slim Pickens Band _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE May 6th, 2008 More Show Dates For Ricky May 17 Glenwood, Alabama Arts and Crafts Festival 2:00 May 24 Hollonsville Opry House Hollonsville, GA 6:30 June 5 Georgiana Theater 7:00 June 7 Georgiana Hank Williams Festival Time TBA _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: March 7th, 2008 Show dates for Ricky: March 7 Red Hill School House Red Hill, AL 7:00 p.m. March 8 John Knox Manor Narrow Lane Rd. Montgomery, AL 3:00 p.m. March 15 Wallsboro Music Hall Wallsboro, AL 7:00 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE - December 29, 2007 Butch Fitzgerald advised me of the following: Ricky will be performing at the Hank Williams Museum New Year Celebration. He will be on December 31st, Monday night @ 8:00 p.m. and January 1st, Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. Robert Ackerman _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: December 16, 2007 JIMMY PORTER - DRIFTING COWBOY 1928 - 2007 I am very sad about Mr. Jimmy Porter's passing. I am glad I had the honor of performing with him. I will miss his soft gentle voice and the kindness he showed me. I know Mr. Jimmy is playing in heaven with the angels and Hank. My sympathy goes to Mrs. Geraldine. I will be praying for your family. Your Friend Ricky Note: James E. Porter passed away peacefully at home on December 15th, 2007 _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE Nov. 19, 2007 Some upcoming Show Dates for Ricky Fitzgerald and the Lost Highway Band: December 8 Wallsboro Music Hall @ 7:00 p.m. Wallsboro, Alabama December 14 Red Hill School House @ 7:00 p.m. Red Hill, Alabama December 15 Montgomery Zoo @ 7:15 p.m. Montgomery, Alabama December 27 Remembering Hank Williams Chisholm Community Center 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. Montgomery, Alabama _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE October 30th, 2007 Some upcoming Show Dates for Ricky Fitzgerald and the Lost Highway Band: November 9 Red Hill School House @ 7:00 p.m. Hwy. 229 Red Hill, AL November 17 Wallsboro Music Hall @ 7:00 p.m. 150 Weoka Rd. Wallsboro, AL _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2007 October 12 - Ricky will be playing at Red Hill School House - where Hank played in 1948 - Red Hill, Alabama November 3 - Pecan Festival in Mobile, Alabama Show starts at 10:00 a.m. Hope to see yall there! _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE August 25, 2007 Just to let you know some upcoming events for Ricky and the Lost Highway Band. Sept.1st he will play at the Coosada Heritage Festival (off the Coosada Parkway on Pecan Grove Rd.) 11:30-12:00 for more information you may contact Lori Hudgins at 285-7917. September 15, 2007 he will play at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery from 12:00-12:30 He will be the opening act. Hope to see you there! Last night Ricky was invited to go to Red Hill Celebration. The school house now a community center has been there for 80 years. Some say Hank sung at the exact same place years ago. Ricky met a lot of super nice folks and had a really good time. Thank you Red Hill! _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE - June 10, 2007 Ricky will be performing with the Lost Highway Band at the Ashland Theater (downtown Ashland, Alabama) July 21, 2007 - Performance begins at 10:00 a.m. _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MAY 30, 2007 Ricky will be performing at the Georgiana Hank Festival Saturday, June 2, 2007 between 9:30 and 12: 30. Hope to see you there! _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MARCH 25TH, 2007 We are proud to announce Ricky's new CD is now available. This is a 10 song CD made with his band "The Lost Highway." We titled this CD, Small Loud & Proud! CD is $10.00 (plus $3 for shipping and handling), money orders only. Send order to: Lewis Fitzgerald 17 Pickett St. Mtg., AL 36110 SONG LISTINGS: -I Can't Help It -Hey, Good Lookin' -Lonesome Blues -A House of Gold -Your Cheatin' Heart -Jambalaya -Honky Tonk Blues -Take These Chains -I Saw The Light -Folsom Prison Blues *Note: To view Photos of Front & Back Cover of CD, Please Copy & Paste the following URL into your Browser's Address Box: http://www.angelfire.com/me2/kulacoco/rickyfitzgerald3.jpg _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MARCH 7TH, 2007 We got confirmation today that Ricky will be performing at Calico Fort in Fort Deposit April 14 @ 1:00 and April 15 @ 2:00. Watch for updates on his new CD, it will be available soon! _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE JANUARY 30TH, 2007 Ricky and The Lost Highway Band will be playing at Montgomery Area Square Dance Association at 2201 Chestnut St. in Montgomery, AL on February 16, 2007 Performance time is 10:00 pm _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE JANUARY 20, 2007 _____________________________________________________________________________ Ricky and The Lost Highway Band will be playing Mardi Gras Festival in Millbrook, Alabama on February 10 at 10:00 am. Parade to follow. Come join the fun! _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE JANUARY 15. 2007 _____________________________________________________________________________ Happy New Year to You!! We are pleased to announce Ricky and the Lost Highway Band will be performing February 17 @ 7:00 pm at the Georgiana Theater. This performance will be recorded live for his new CD. Hope to see you there! Thanks Butch and Ricky _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE DECEMBER 9TH, 2006 New Performance Dates Ricky Fitzgerald and The Lost Highway Band December 15 @ 8:00 pm Montgomery Zoo Festival of Lights Zoo Admission Charge $6 December 28, 2006 "Remembering Hank Williams Sr." @ Chisholm Community Center 5:30 - 9:00 pm Free to public, everyone welcomed! Guest Appearance by Joey Allcorn and The Hillbilly Band Anyone wishing to perform should contact Lewis Fitzgerald @ 334-264-2908. _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE NOVEMBER 05, 3006 Hope all is well with yall. That's southern for you all!!! We're alright. Just wanted to let you know Ricky will be unveiling the historical Hank Williams Plague at the Georgiana Theater and performing after the unveiling on November 10, 2006 at 5:00pm. We consider this a great honor, hope yall can make it! Stay well! Your Friends Butch and Ricky _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE OCT 23, 2006 We've been busy with school and family, but just a line to say Hello and hope all is well. Ricky was suppose to record another CD, but due to circumstances beyond our control, it has been rescheduled again. Ricky will be performing at the Pioneer Museum in Troy, Alabama on October 28th between 1-PM. We have to confirm some things for November before listing them. Your Friends, Ricky and Butch _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE SEPT 6, 2006 We have learned that Ricky will be performing between 1:00-3:00pm on September 16th at the Hank Birthday Celebration. Ricky will also participate in the WCOV TV Montgomery Idol Competition during the Alabama National Fair on October 12th @ 4:30 pm on stage inside the Garrett Coliseum. Prizes include saving bonds for 1st-3rd places. Should he place his school will also receive a cash prize. Please come and support his efforts! Ricky will also perform nightly at the Fair this year October 6-15 around 7 or 7:30pm. _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE AUGUST 14, 2006 Ricky will be performing at the Hank Williams Birthday Celebration on September 16th at the Hank Williams Museum. Check with Beth for time of performance: Email: hankwilliamsmuse@bellsouth.net _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE JULY 29, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ A Special Thank You We would like to thank all the good folks at the Hank Williams Festival in Georgiana. Ricky performed Friday night on the big stage. Saturday at the Breakfast Club and again on the big stage. He also performed at the Georgiana Theater on Saturday. He had a good time and meet so many nice people. Ricky especially enjoyed meeting Ray Price. Thank you Georgiana for making us welcomed. A special thanks to Mary Wallace inviting us!! _____________________________________________________________________________ Ricky will be performing at the Greenwood Baptist Church in Prattville, Al on August 5, 2006 @ 7pm. The address is 1448 on Highway 82 West. _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE JUNE 18, 2006 Hi Hope everyone is well. Ricky meet a lot of people at the Hank Festival in Georgiana and he had a blast singing. We have some new show dates to share: June 24 @ 6:00pm The Back Forty in Tallassee, AL July 22 Annual "Tribute to Hank Williams" Day at Clay County Farmers Market Gospel Singing 11:00 until 1:00 Hank Tribute starts @ 1:00 PM For more information call 354-5639 or 396-2828 Butch and Ricky _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MAY 21, 2006 Ricky performs at: Montgomery Jubilee City Fest May 28 @ 4:00 pm at the Alabama Power School Awards on the ALLTEL Wireless Stage _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MAY 16, 2006 I talked to Mary Wallace today and she confirmed Ricky will play at the Breakfast Club @ Georgiana High School, entertainment begins at 7:30 am, on June 3rd. Ricky will also play on the big stage at the Georgiana Festival between 10:05 and 12:30, on June 3rd. He is really excited to be invited and eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone again! Butch Fitzgerald _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MAY 6TH, 2006 WE HAVE TWO UPCOMING EVENTS FOR RICKY: May 20 Glenwood Arts and Craft Festival @ 6:oo pm May 25 Georgiana Retirement Home @ 10:00 am For More information contact Butch Fitzgerald EMAIL: Lewisf44@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: APRIL 11, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ RICKY FITZGERALD AND THE LOST HIGHWAY BAND FREE SHOW - BRING YOUR OWN LAWN CHAIRS AND ENJOY! MAY 6, 2006 At the LITTLE RED CABOOSE C&H Food Mart 19441 Mobile Rd. GEORGIANA, ALABAMA SATURDAY 4:00 P.M. _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE APRIL 3, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ Just to update you, Ricky will be performing at Calico Fort Arts and Crafts in Fort Deposit, Alabama, April 8 @ 11:00 am and April 9 @10:00 am. We had a great time at the Pioneer Museum yesterday. He had a live interview with channel 52 in Troy, AL and talked with a reporter for the local paper. _____________________________________________________________________________ Note from Web Admin: Here is an article from THE MESSENGER, Troy, AL _____________________________________________________________________________ Music Fest filled with 'fun and fiddlin' By Jaine Treadwell, The Messenger April 3, 2006 There was a whole lot of fiddlin' goin' on at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama on Saturday. And, there was also a lot of other things going on ... train rides, wagon rides, arts and crafts and churning and cooking in the demonstration cabin. Spring Fling and Music Fest got under way at 9:30 with pickin' and grinn' on the cabin porches and didn't slow down until the sun began sink in the west. Calvin Bodiford, event coordinator, said the day was filled with fun and fiddlin' and he counted it a great success. 'Anytime people get together to play music, it's a good day,' he said. 'We want to thank everybody that came and play and everybody that came to listen. I know we all had a good time and I'm always amazed at the talent we have around here.' One of the highlight of the day was an 8-year-old youngster from Montgomery who had everybody clapping and smiling when he took the stage. Ricky Fitztgerald sang the songs of his country music idol, Hank Williams, probably sang much like the Father of Country Music when he was a second grader. 'I started playing the guitar and singing Hank Williams music when I was 4 years old, Ricky said. 'I know all of his songs. My favorite one is the ‘Long, Lonesome Blues,''but the one people ask me to sing a lot is ‘I Saw the Light.' I like that, too. I like all of Hank Williams' songs.' Ricky said is now taking his show on the road and his band is made up of his kinsfolks. 'Sometimes I have to tell them what to do,' he said with all the confidence of an 8-year-old budding star. I got to a lot of places like Georgiana and I sing a lot at Old Town in Montgomery.' The young ‘Hank' said he is not at all intimidated by big crowds. 'I like it,' he said. 'Getting on stage and singing is easy.' Not only does Ricky play guitar, he also plays the mandolin, dobro and banjo. 'I want to play them all because I want to be a country music singer,' he said. 'I've got a white suit just like Hank Williams wore, but I don't wear it all the time. Just sometimes when I want to dress up.' The fiddle competition was a highlight of the afternoon and some outstanding fiddlin' it Two Floridians took top first place fiddle competition. Samantha Purvines of Laurel Hill, Fla. won the youth division and Adam Purvis of Panama City took first place in the senior division. Purvines placed in the top three in last year competition and Purvis has take first place in all three fiddle competitions at the museum. Jimmy Keen of Newton finished second in the senior division and Reynolds Rushing of Ansley finished third. FROM: www.troymessenger.com _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE MARCH 11, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ Just an update to let you know Ricky will be performing at The Anton Haardt Gallery Friday March 17 @ 5:00pm. The Gallery is located at 1023 Woodley Rd. in Montgomery. Ricky will also be performimg at the Spring Carnival & Music Fest Pioneer Museum of Alabama Saturday April 1, 2006 284 Hwy 231 North Troy, AL 9:30 am-5:30 pm Ricky will perform in between the Fiddle Competition Fun for the whole family for more information contact Lisa Wise: EMAIL: pioneer@troycable.net Butch _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: March 1st, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ ATTENTION HANK FANS - Some info for your followers of Ricky Fitzgerald (aka Hank IV) - I've heard his singing on CD and he is a great young (7-year old) talent - and folks are saying don't miss his performances ! Robert Ackerman Palmer, Alaska ----- Original Message ----- From: Lewis (Butch) Fitzgerald To: Hank1@mtaonline.net Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 4:16 PM Hey Robert Hope you are well. We're all okay. Just a line to let you know Ricky rocked the house at the Jubilee Community Center, they raised over $600.00. He was all over the news Monday (WAKA Channel It was a real good show Karren Pell, Tim Henderson, Joe Kollar, Sarah Felder, Nils Maaetoft, and Rick Taft did a super job too!! Ricky will be with the same show (Stars Fell on Alabama Music Revue) at Georgiana Theater Saturday night March 4th at 7:00, doors open at 6:00, admission $6 each. We have received an invitation to perform at the Pioneer Museum in Troy, AL on April 1, 2006 unsure of the time, but we understand it is an all day event featuring a Fiddle Contest. Butch _____________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: February 9th, 2006 _____________________________________________________________________________ ATTENTION HANK/RICKY FITZGERALD FANS - First, mark your calendars - Ricky Fitzgerald (aka Hank IV) will be on WAKA (CBS) channel 8 in Montgomery, Wednesday, February 22 at 5:45am. (Hey, somebody tape that if possible). Additionally, the following information was received: Ricky and the Lost Highway Band have teamed up with The Capitol Heights Hillbillies and singer/songwriter Joe Kollar to create an old timey musical revue called "The Stars Fell On Alabama Music Revue" - three acts - three times the fun - over two hours of non-stop singin', pickin', tale tellin', and just general good times. The Capitol Heights Hillbillies feature a friend of Karren Pell’s from Denmark, Nils Maaetoft, performing with Tim Henderson, Karren Pell, and Sarah Felder. They perform original country-folk acoustic songs along with their own arrangements of old favorites. Joe Kollar is a popular sing-songwriter who also performs original material and his unique interpretations of songs we all know and love. The "Stars Fell on Alabama Music Revue" will present two public performances. February 26, Sunday 2:00 - Benefit concert for the Jubilee Community Center in the old church at "Five Points" on 432 Goldthwaite Street - former site of the Montgomery Little Theater. No admission charge, but the hat will be passed for donations for the continuing good work of the Jubilee Community Center and renovations of the carpenter gothic 19th century church. March 4, Saturday Night, 7:00 at the historic Ga-Na Theater, 602 East Railroad Ave in Georgiana. Now instead of thinking "too far," think "time for an adventure." Ya’ll Come Robert Ackerman Palmer, Alaska p.s. I need to correct an error I made - in a recent message concerning Ricky I referred to him as nine years old - but he is only seven ! Incidentally, if you are interested in booking Ricky call Lewis Fitzgerald at 334-264-2908, e-mail him at Lewisf44@aol.com or write him at 17 Pickett St., Montgomery, AL 36107. _____________________________________________________________________________ * Brief Biography of Ricky Fitzgerald - Updated Summer 2010 _____________________________________________________________________________ Ricky Fitzgerald was born on June 15, 1998. At the young age of 4, Ricky took to singing and decided he wanted to become a country music artist. Under the guidance of Mr. Glenn Ivey from Old Alabama Town, Ricky began taking guitar lessons in 2003. Every Sunday afternoon, Glenn and Ricky would set in his Grandparents house and play music. Ricky learned to play well enough that at age 5, he made his first public appearance where he sang Hey Good Lookin' at Chisholm Community Center's annual celebration "Remembering Hank Williams" in Montgomery, Alabama. He quickly garnered many fans, friends and admirers when he played at the bi-monthly jams at both the Hank Williams Museum and at Old Alabama Town. A few years later he was being hailed as the "7-year-old Singing Sensation" when he performed at the 2005 "Herb Day," a popular spring festival with many of the jammers. The Gazette noted, "The highlight of the day was watching and listening to Ricky Fitzgerald of Montgomery sing and play the guitar." More performances quickly followed where he was a featured performer at the Prattville Dance Hall, and at the "Hank Williams Birthday Celebration" for the Hank Williams Museum. When country music superstar Alan Jackson taped a video of his song Midnight in Montgomery, in the Capitol City, Channel 8 TV interviewed Ricky and filmed him singing and playing as part of the "pre-video" excitement. The excitement escalated when Ricky and his family were placed at a prominent spot for the much watched video. In the fall of 2005, Ricky played an outdoor gathering at the Red Caboose in Georgiana, Alabama, and shared the stage with the "Old Alabama Town Pickers and Grinners" at the Alabama State Fair. In November, Ricky presented a formal performance at the historic Ga-Ana Theatre in Georgiana. Toward the end of 2005, Ricky joined in the Greenville Alabama holiday festivities by performing solo as a kick-off for the Christmas parade and a finale of evening's festivities. The Evergreen Courant praised Ricky's performance, "While you might not expect a seven-year-old to play his own acoustic guitar and sing with serious conviction, the young Montgomery native had no problem pulling a crowd with his talent." The review was prophetic as Ricky's successful performances led to invitations in 2006 for Pioneer Day in Troy (where he was interviewed for public television), the Calico Fort Festival, and the Hank Williams festival in Lineville, Alabama. On September 16, 2006 Ricky unveiled the historic designation plaque in front of the Ga-Ana Theatre and shared the stage that night with other performers for the Hank Williams' birthday celebration at the Theatre. Ricky's career was just beginning, and for him and his fans, so was the excitement. His bookings continued to grow, just as his repertoire has. Besides of adding new songs, Ricky has also added the ability to play other instruments. Besides of the guitar, Ricky can also play the banjo, steel guitar, mandolin, and drums. The brown hair, hazel eyed youngster really enjoys playing and singing, and his stage presence has continued to grow. He can relate to the youngest child or the oldest person. He has a wonderful personality that will help him face life. On December 17, 18 and 19, 2009, Ricky played on the stage at the prestigious Nashville Palace in Nashville, Tennessee. Through it all though, Ricky has stayed true to his roots and his family values. He knows a lot of the people that played and lived during Hank's musical career, and treasures their memories. Ricky relays that his favorite color is red, and aside from his music interests, that he enjoys his karate classes as well as watching NASCAR racing. Ricky's first CD, Small, Loud, and Proud was released in 2005, where he was backed by the Lost Highway Band. This year (2010), saw the release of his second CD Country Tradition, where this time he was backed by Peewee Dutton and the Good Old Boys Band. His website address is: www.rickyfitzgerald.has.it Following is a list of just a few of the places Ricky has played: Old Town in Montgomery, Alabama Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama Jubilee City Fest in Montgomery, Alabama Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama Red Hill School House in Red Hill, Alabama DC's in Wallsboro, Alabama RSA Tower in Montgomery, Alabama Highland Avenue Show Choir, Montgomery, Alabama Remembering Hank in Montgomery, Alabama Hank Williams Festival in Georgiana, Alabama Ga Anna Theater in Georgiana, Alabama Hog Wild Festival in Mobile, Alabama Pecan Festival in Mobile, Alabama Hollonville Opry in Hollonville, Georgia Ole Clinton Opry in Gray, Georgia Nashville Palace in Nashville, Tennessee Some of these places he plays on a regular basis and some are once a year. If you haven't witnessed Ricky enthusiasm, energy and professionalism in person, you're missing a true gem in the making. For booking and other information contact: Lewis Fitzgerald 17 Pickett Street Montgomery AL 36110 Phone: 334-264-2908 Email: Lewisf44@aol.com _____________________________________________________________________________ Note: Join Robert Ackerman's Hank Fan Mailing list. _____________________________________________________________________________ Email: Hank1@mtaonline.net _____________________________________________________________________________