HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Rick Alexander, 62, died May 22, 2009, due to complications from heart surgery. Rick was a well-known and established musician throughout the U.S. and Canada, stretching over a period of more than 50 years. In recent years, he operated his own studio in South Florida, while performing at events in the region. He produced many recordings under his own label RACo. A former member of the Grass Roots, he had also shared the stage with Roy Orbison, David Clayton Thomas, Bo Diddley, The Rolling Stones, John Anderson and George Jones, to name a few. His expertise and versatility crossed many styles of music, including country, classic rock, blues and western swing. His passion was for the steel guitar. He was very active in various steel guitar associations as an artist, promoter and a teacher of the non-pedal steel guitar. A memorial in his honor, The Rick Alexander Non-Pedal Sessions, will be held at Texas Steel Guitar Association’s annual convention, in March 2010, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dallas. He is survived by his beloved soul mate, Cathe (Engert) St. Jean; extended family, numerous friends and fans and members of the Steel Guitar Forum. His loved ones, friends and fellow musicians remember Rick as a gentle, kind, talented man of character, whose spirit was always evidenced by his beautiful music. A memorial celebration honoring the life of Rick Alexander, the person and musician, will be held later this year in South Florida, at a date yet to be announced.
RICK ALEXANDER
