“Bluegrass music might be entering its ninth decade, but Breaking in Lonesome proves it’s more vital than ever, and this project is a perfect showcase for one of its truly bright lights,” Tim Stafford of Blue Highway states regarding Rick Faris’s first solo studio album release from Dark Shadow Recording in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Rick started out picking bluegrass in his family band, the Faris Family, at the age of seven. He was destined for a successful career by getting a head start in his music from his father, Bob Faris, a professional touring musician in his own right. Bob played alongside Reba McEntire on many stages, including the Grand Ole Opry. Rick’s family of six, consisting of mom, dad, Rick, and his three brothers, toured extensively for many years honing their craft. 

Rick resides in Topeka, Kansas and tours professionally as lead singer and guitarist for the world-trotting, Grammy nominated bluegrass band Special Consensus from Chicago. He joined the group in 2009 and has played on five albums with the band. Special Consensus has won several IBMA Awards, most recently the 2018 Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year and 2018 Album of the Year. Although he is pursuing a solo career, you can still catch Rick on tour regularly with Special Consensus. 

Rick is known for his clear, brilliant tenor voice that lends itself to all emotions of the music. He has a strong, unique lead vocal and a guitar persona that sets him apart from the rest. While not touring, he spends a large amount of his time with his family and honing his skills as a renowned luthier. He not only builds and repairs instruments for other people, but he is currently touring with instruments he has built for himself. 

Dark Shadow Recording label-head Stephen Mougin says, “Rick is one of the great voices in modern Bluegrass music. Over the years, I’ve watched him grow into a powerhouse musician, delivering compelling performances both on stage and in recordings. Through our partnership, we have created a solo album dedicated to his own brand of Bluegrass. It’s time for the world to hear more from Rick Faris!”

"Rick Faris has consistently wowed me with his powerful vocals and virtuoso mandolin and guitar playing over the last few years with Special Consensus.  He was playing mandolin when I first saw him and I immediately noticed he is a great singer live--suppose it shouldn't have surprised anyone when he switched to guitar and was just as proficient and nimble.  His range makes him a natural tenor, but his lead singing is convincing and expressive.  And on top of all this, he's an outstanding luthier, having built a number of great guitars--including those played on this record.  In short, I thought of the guy as the vanguard of younger musicians who are carrying Bluegrass forward. 

But now his solo record shows me that he's put it all together.  Turns out he's also a thoughtful songwriter.  He wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 songs on "Breaking in Lonesome," and they run the gamut from Jimmie Rodgers-style jazzy ditties ("Mississippi Steamboat Blues"), straigh-ahead waltzes ("Wrong Done Right") to contemporary Bluegrass ("If the Kansas River Can"), cool instrumentals ("Stoneman's Raid"), blazing fast 'grass ("Breaking in Lonesome"), a spooky traditional gospel song featuring Shawn Lane's soulful tenor ("Matthew and Mark's Wisdom") and a contemporary Bluegrass gospel song ("Faith in Man").  The lone cover, Aaron Bibelhouser, Thomm Jutz and Milan Miller's "How Long," fits right in.  Most of these finely crafted songs feature the rocking core band of Rick on guitar and lead vocals, Justin Moses on banjo and tenor vocal, Eddie Faris on bass and baritone vocal, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, and Harry Clark on mandolin.  "Never is a Long Time" and the swingy "Honeybabe" feature Special C and make it easy to see why this version of the band has been so decorated. 

Bluegrass music might be entering its 9th decade, but Breaking in Lonesome proves it's more vital than ever, and this project is a perfect showcase for one of its truly bright lights. "

-Tim Stafford (Blue Highway)