Rick Sparks Music

BREAKING NEWS: I'm thrilled & honored to report that Speak Peace debuted at #3 on ZMR'S just-released June '22 Top-100 album chart! That's the highest position ever for any of my albums on Zone Music Reporter since Endless back in 2014, and certainly the highest debuting album I've ever had.

I have never regretted the decision 8 years ago to begin recording music of beauty and peace to help replenish our spirits & unwind the stress in our lives. I'm so grateful to programmers in radio & music channels…

In tribute to and loving memory of Queen Elizabeth II, we offer Nightfall London, the title song from my 2017 album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzXMZs9pK3I

Greenville, SC (9/1/2022) - I'm so happy to announce the release of my very first solo piano album, a special project titled Quiet Piano Hymns. These are some of my favorite classic hymns & gospel songs that I first learned as a boy and have treasured now for over 50 years as a church pianist.

I love contemporary worship music, but it's the great old hymns and gospel songs that I treasure the most. Their melodies and lyrics bear indelible memories for me of God's saints in worship, singing of Christ's love…

So glad to report that in its 3rd month of release, Speak Peace remains in the Top-10 of ZMR's spin count for August! Many thanks to all the radio & channel programmers worldwide for your continued airplay of Speak Peace! LISTEN TO SPEAK PEACE

SPEAK PEACE STAYS TOP-5 ON ZMR'S JULY TOP-100 SPIN-COUNT!  

BREAKING NEWS: We're very grateful for a 2nd month of great airplay for Speak Peace! We're hanging in at #4 on ZMR's July Top-100 spin count after reaching #2 in June, sharing the top of the chart w. some great artists including George Winston, Will Ackerman & Lynn Tredeau. Many thanks to all the programmers for their continued airplay of the music & message of Speak Peace. CLICK TO LISTEN TO SPEAK PEACE

SPEAK PEACE #2 ON ZMR'S JUNE TOP-100 SPIN-COUNT! 

BREAKING NEWS: At the end of our first month since release, Speak Peace is #2 (!!!) on ZMR's Top-100 June playlist spin count! The chart tracks album airplay by reporting stations worldwide to ZMR (Zone Music Reporter). Many thanks to all the programmers who have added Speak Peace to their playlists! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO SPEAK PEACE

ALBUM PROFILE: Speak Peace (2022)

In January of this year, I began work on Speak Peace, my 8th studio album. Little did I know that a terrible war in Ukraine would soon begin. In the face of war, the Covid pandemic and other major issues in our world, I recorded Speak Peace in hopes that these songs of beauty and peace might help renew and replenish our spirits. 

LISTEN TO THE SONGS OF SPEAK PEACE

The beautiful field of poppies on the album cover references Poppy (Remembrance) Day in the U.K. and Memorial…

BREAKING NEWS: Speak Peace is officially complete! The last few weeks have been an absolute blur, topped off by a stomach bug & (now) sinus infection, but today we finished the mixes, album graphics & press release. It's in the hands of my media promoter now (thanks, Stacey Bonk at LAZZ!) & our production friends at Disc Makers & CD Baby. Official release June1!

Thrilled to report that Prayer for Ukraine vaulted to #6 on April's OWMR Top-100 singles chart! That's a jump of 43 places from our debut at #49 on the March chart. Special thanks to Steve & Chrissie Sheppard at One World Music Radio, Europe's #1 radio station for the genres covered.I'm so encouraged by the airplay for the single as we continue to support & pray for Ukraine. All proceeds from Prayer for Ukraine are being donated to World Vision's Ukraine Relief operation. Prayer for Ukraine is the lead…

This is the week for finalizing the Speak Peace album! After months spent writing, recording & arranging the songs (9 originals & 2 covers), we're finally at the stage of mastering the album, listening to & adjusting each mix before sending it to our radio promoter next week. We'll let you know as we near the official release date, but it will be sometime around the end of May.

When I began work on Speak Peace in January, little did I know that a terrible war in Ukraine would soon begin. We continue to pray…