Rick Nelson(III)
- Composer
- Sound Department
Rick Nelson is a professional musician and record producer residing in New Orleans. His studio is called Marigny Recording Studio. When not in New Orleans, Rick is generally on tour with bands such as The Afghan Whigs, The Twilight Singers, and The Polyphonic Spree. And while Rick is usually playing the violin, viola, cello or upright bass, the multi-instrumentalist has an ever-increasing repertoire of instruments he can play. It is this musical versatility that allows him to be a one-man symphony both on stage, and in the studio. He is also frequently hired to compose, perform and record string arrangements.
Rick began his musical studies on both violin and guitar at the age of seven. He studied privately throughout his early childhood and by the time he graduated from high school (Klein High School) in Texas, Rick was performing in orchestras and rock bands. Following his high school graduation, Rick began much more intensive music studies at the University of North Texas (UNT). While attending UNT, Rick studied jazz, and classical music, upright bass, violin and piano. His professors included world-renowned musicians Jeff Bradetich, John Adams and Lynne Seaton. Rick graduated in 2001, earning a degree in bass performance, with a secondary concentration in violin and minors in both piano performance and music theory.
Following graduation, Rick performed with symphonies, jazz ensembles, and rock bands in the Dallas area. In doing so, Rick caught the attention of Tim DeLaughter, formerly of Tripping Daisy, and now frontman of The Polyphonic Spree. After a successful audition, Rick was hired as the band's violinist and violist, allowing him to combine his classical music knowledge in the rock genre. The Polyphonic Spree gave Rick his first opportunity to perform in arenas, festivals and venues all over the world. In addition to performing, Rick has also gained a tremendous amount of technical knowledge for stage performances as well as in a recording studio. Still a member of the twenty-four piece rock ensemble, Rick has recorded on all three of their full-length albums and continues to perform with them to this day.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated Rick's beloved New Orleans. Although he was not residing in the city at that time, Rick, like so many, felt compelled to join in the efforts of rebuilding. Though initially, he planned to stay for a week, Rick's passion for the city and its residents caused him to postpone his touring plans. One week quickly turned into five years, and rebuilding post-Katrina New Orleans has provided Rick with amazing new opportunities to work with musicians and producers such as Mike Napolitano, Jeff Klein, Mike Dillon, Greg Dulli, Mark Lanagan and Dave Rosser.
Rick began his musical studies on both violin and guitar at the age of seven. He studied privately throughout his early childhood and by the time he graduated from high school (Klein High School) in Texas, Rick was performing in orchestras and rock bands. Following his high school graduation, Rick began much more intensive music studies at the University of North Texas (UNT). While attending UNT, Rick studied jazz, and classical music, upright bass, violin and piano. His professors included world-renowned musicians Jeff Bradetich, John Adams and Lynne Seaton. Rick graduated in 2001, earning a degree in bass performance, with a secondary concentration in violin and minors in both piano performance and music theory.
Following graduation, Rick performed with symphonies, jazz ensembles, and rock bands in the Dallas area. In doing so, Rick caught the attention of Tim DeLaughter, formerly of Tripping Daisy, and now frontman of The Polyphonic Spree. After a successful audition, Rick was hired as the band's violinist and violist, allowing him to combine his classical music knowledge in the rock genre. The Polyphonic Spree gave Rick his first opportunity to perform in arenas, festivals and venues all over the world. In addition to performing, Rick has also gained a tremendous amount of technical knowledge for stage performances as well as in a recording studio. Still a member of the twenty-four piece rock ensemble, Rick has recorded on all three of their full-length albums and continues to perform with them to this day.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated Rick's beloved New Orleans. Although he was not residing in the city at that time, Rick, like so many, felt compelled to join in the efforts of rebuilding. Though initially, he planned to stay for a week, Rick's passion for the city and its residents caused him to postpone his touring plans. One week quickly turned into five years, and rebuilding post-Katrina New Orleans has provided Rick with amazing new opportunities to work with musicians and producers such as Mike Napolitano, Jeff Klein, Mike Dillon, Greg Dulli, Mark Lanagan and Dave Rosser.