Biography

Radio contact:
Jana Mougin
jana@darkshadowrecording.com


The 2022 International Bluegrass Association's "NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR" is back with a brand new album in 2023. His third album on the Dark Shadow Recording label, Rick Faris has been breaking new paths in the bluegrass scene with his incredible singing, picking, writing, and musicality. Again enlisting the help of some of his closest pals AND some musical heroes, Uncommon Sky leans deeply into the ground he's already paved.

Don’t Hold Back
Evan Dickerson/Dickerson Bluegrass Publishing, BMI
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

I always make it a point to seek correction for my betterment. I am so thankful for those who have lent me counsel and shortened my learning curve in so many areas. This great song idea came from co-writer Evan and it resonated with my running routine of praying and asking God to reveal where I am falling short. Boy you wanna talk about a prayer that works!

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo

The One That Got Away
Rick Lang/ Haley Anna Music, BMI
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

I believe the one that got away was supposed to get away. It’s led me to where I am today and gives me faith that tomorrow will be what it’s supposed to be, if I have the courage to keep going and trust in the plan. Strength and knowledge comes from tackling adversity. Guitar building came to me because I couldn’t afford the guitar my ear longed to have. Our stories aren’t finished, while we yet have breath in our lungs.

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo


The Power of Love
Johnny Colla, Chris Hayes, Huey Lewis/WC Music Corp., Kinda Blue Music, Cause And Effect Music and Huey Lewis Music, ASCAP

I think Huey Lewis and the News’s undisputed masterpiece is "Power of Love", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics beyond the chorus. But they should, because it's not just about the feel goods of love but the pains and the never give up attitude of love. “Make one man weep, make another man sing”!

Rick Faris - guitar, lead and tenor vocal
Stephen Mougin - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo

Please Don’t Say Goodbye
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

Sometimes people lose that lovin’ feeling. You can be blinded by a shiny new thing, thinking it’s easier than working on the trusty old lackluster relationship, years in the making. “The lust that he gives you won’t make you feel whole”. It’s a lie that can bankrupt the soul, so “don’t say goodbye to the memories, the joy and the pain…Hold onto that feelin’, it’s heaven ordained”

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Dani Flowers - harmony vocal
Jerry Douglas - dobro
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin


Too Lonely, Way Too Long
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

Dreams really do come true! Del McCoury and Jerry Douglas are true heroes of mine. It was a blessing to see it come together. Del is my absolute favorite singer ever. I also spent countless hours with ears bent over my dobro listening to Jerry play the fire out of his instrument! We were all pinching ourselves while it went down. I loved getting to share this mountain top experience with my friends Laura, Zak, Harry and Luke. Wow!

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Del McCoury - tenor vocal
Jerry Douglas - dobro
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo

Love Sweet Love
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

Of course I had to write a love song. I’m a mushy guy who's absolutely in love with his wife every day! I’m so thankful to have Nicole in my life. She keeps me ever moving towards the man  God wants me to be and the man she deserves. Thank you for being my life partner and the mother of our beautiful amazing kiddos.

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo

Hellfire Club
Rick Lang/ Haley Anna Music, BMI
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

My wife and I were on a hike in Ireland’s Wicklow mountains to see the Hellfire Club. We didn’t know the backstory when we headed out. On our way down the hill we heard a woman's scream on the wind with no one in sight. That night we learned the history and were aghast that we were tripping over the ancient burial place they stole the Cairn stones from to build the building. “I’m tellin’ you son, don’t you ever go astray”.

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo


Misery-Go-Round
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

Don’t get lost and stuck going around that same mountain and never breaking the cycle. Find love and joy anywhere by giving joy and love everywhere. Turn it around by turning the other cheek and forgiving. It’s hard but not impossible. It's also about the best vibes you can put out into the world. 

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal, tenor vocal on chorus
Ronnie McCoury - mandolin, lead vocal on chorus
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Russ Carson - banjo

Kansas Cornfields
Rick Lang/ Haley Anna Music, BMI
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

This is the story of my grandfather Edward Faris. He was the embodiment of hard work for those you love. He threw hay bales all day into the barn loft and at night would head to the mine working a mule and pickaxe. The times were hard but grandpa was made tougher than most. He’s our measure of a man.

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo

You Can’t Slow The River Down
Rick Lang/ Haley Anna Music, BMI
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

“Life happens if you live it, so live it up until you die.” Remember and relish that you can do hard things. I find I spend more time worrying about having to do a hard thing than actually doing it. I occasionally need this reminder. I know some of my friends may need this encouragement too from time to time. 

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Luke Munday - banjo


Topeka Twister
Evan Dickerson/Dickerson Bluegrass Publishing, BMI
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

This is straight out of the history books here in Topeka, Kansas. Burnett's Mound was a Native-American burial mound that was partly leveled for a water tank to be installed. Legend said the mound would chop the tail of any twister headed to town. Five years after they put the water tank on the mound the ‘66 tornado directly hit downtown Topeka. 

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - baritone/tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - low tenor/baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Ronnie McCoury - mandolin
Russ Carson - banjo



I’m Not Waiting ‘Round
Rick Faris/Rickyland Publishing, BMI

I’m like my mamma, I love happy endings, but that’s not what life normally gives. Love with everything you’ve got. Life’s too short to waste and never stay in an abusive relationship. You are worth more than you think. Live your best life to the fullest my friends!

Rick Faris - guitar, lead vocal
Ben James - tenor vocal
Eddie Faris - baritone vocal
Laura Orshaw - fiddle
Zak McLamb - upright bass
Harry Clark - mandolin
Russ Carson - banjo






"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." - Hebrews 12:1-2. I would like to thank you Lord for my race to run, my whole family for their hours, days and years given in support of this dream. To my wife Nicole, I would be lost on the trail without you, thank you for being my better half. Huge thanks to my boys Parker and Kent for their love, perspective and enjoyment of the outdoors with dad. To Stephen and Jana Mougin at Dark Shadow Recording, thank you for believing in me and giving me the chance to make this music. Stephen "Mojo", thanks for your incredible producing and recording skills; I couldn't have done this without you. Greg Cahill for the wonderful place to grow as a musician and for taking me under your wing, I love you brother! The core band on this record: Zak McLamb, Laura Orshaw, Harry Clark, Luke Munday and Russ Carson as well as Ben James and Eddie Faris on vocals... You guys are absolutely amazing and I love picking and singing with y'all. You made this record great and I'm so thankful to each and every one of you. Huge thanks to the legendary pickers and singers Jerry Douglas, Rob McCoury and Del McCoury. You all were a dream come true to have on the record. Thank you for your input and arrangement ideas. You really elevated this record so much! Also big thanks to the awesome vocal talents of Stephen Mougin and Dani Flowers for adding just the right touch, it was beautiful you guys. Thanks to the family and friends who've supported me all along the way through rain and shine. You are invaluable. My dear friends Shane DeWitt, Tony Watt, Rick Spratt, Barb and Tom Laing, Jed Clark and Aunt Barb for your advice, support and insights. This album is about celebrating the Uncommon Skies in our lives. Every sunrise brings unique challenges and opportunities and I'm grateful for each one.

Rick Faris Proudly Endorses:
Faris Guitar Co. guitars, Hinde mandolins, BlueChip Picks, Shubb Capos, Headway Audio preamps, Peterson Strobe Tuners, Tone-Gard for mandolin and Picker's Grip.




Ben James appears courtesy of RBR Entertainment.
Del McCoury and Ronnie McCoury appear courtesy of McCoury Music.
Laura Orshaw and Stephen Mougin appear courtesy of Dark Shadow Recording.

Produced, engineered and mixed by Stephen Mougin at Dark Shadow Recording, Goodlettsville, TN
Mastered by David Glasser at AirShow Mastering, Boulder CO
Photos: Scott Simontacchi
Recording session photos: Madison Thorn
Graphics: GF Designs

The Power Of Love -
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