Editing Rick Elias

{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (1955–2019)}}

{{more citations needed|date=April 2019}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Richard Robert Elias
| birth_date       = {{Birth date|1955|1|7}}
| birth_place      = [[San Diego]], [[California]]
| death_date       = {{Death date and age|2019|4|2|1955|1|7}}
| occupation       = Singer and songwriter
| alias            = Rick Elias
| instrument       = Vocals
}}

'''Richard Robert Elias''' (January 7, 1955 – April 2, 2019) was an American singer and songwriter based in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]].

Elias is best known for being a founding member of [[Rich Mullins]]' [[A Ragamuffin Band]], which recorded and toured from 1993 through 2000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beal, Jr.|first=Jim|title=Ragamuffin buddies to salute Rich Mullins|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE861017E5E8B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=January 11, 2011|newspaper=[[San Antonio Express-News]]|date=September 11, 1998|quote=Rick Elias, known in the secular music world for his work on movie scores, including "That Thing You Do", plays guitar and sings in A Ragamuffin Band...}}</ref>

== Biography ==

Elias was born in [[San Diego, California]], eventually attending [[Azusa Pacific University]] outside [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web | title=Richard Robert Elias Obituary | work=legacy.com | access-date=April 24, 2019 | url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/obituary.aspx?n=richard-robert-elias&pid=192100698 }}</ref> In 1984, Elias moved to work full-time in L.A. and within a few years would be recording with producer, [[Niko Bolas]].

Later Elias wrote and produced music in Nashville, Tennessee, while performing solo throughout the U.S. and internationally. His music was included in the 1996 movie ''[[That Thing You Do!]]'', ''[[Dawsons Creek]]'', ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]'', as well as other albums, independent films, and TV shows. During his career, Elias produced for artists such as [[Rich Mullins]], [[Amy Grant]], [[Aaron Neville]], [[Michael W. Smith]], and [[Randy Stonehill]]. He released four solo projects. His work was nominated and awarded by the [[Gospel Music Association|GMA]], UCMVA, and the Nashville Music Awards. His first solo record, ''Rick Elias & The Confessions'', was voted No. 58 in the top 100 greatest albums in [[Christian music]], as listed by ''[[CCM Magazine]]'' in 2001.{{CN|date=December 2023}}

In 2018, it was revealed that he had cancer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.classicchristian247.com/2018/10/rick-elias-health/|title=Rick Elias Health|date=October 12, 2018|website=Classic Christian 247|access-date=October 26, 2018}}</ref> A benefit concert was held by members of A Ragamuffin Band and performers from ''[[The Jesus Record]]'' on February 2, 2019, to raise money for his medical bills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Benefit_Concert/64483/p1/|title=Benefit Concert: Support for Rick Elias, now diagnosed with brain cancer|website=crossrhythms.co.uk|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref> Elias died on April 2, 2019, from brain cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2019/apr/03/rip-harlequin-and-vision-guitarist-rick-elias/|title=RIP Harlequin and Vision guitarist Rick Elias|first=Jay Allen|last=Sanford|website=sandiegoreader.com|access-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Discography==
* ''Rick Elias & The Confessions'' (1990, [[Alarma Records|Alarma]])
* ''Ten Stories'' (1991, [[Frontline Records (1980s)|Frontline]])
* ''Blink''  (1998, [[Pamplin Records|Pamplin]])
* ''Confessions of a Ragamuffin'' (2000, [[KMG Records|KMG]]) (compilation album)
* ''Bootleg'' (2003) (compilation album)
*''Bootleg 2: The Legend of Sonny Jim'' (2009) (compilation album)
* ''Job'' (2013)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.rickelias.com}}{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408171521/https://www.rickelias.com/ |date=April 8, 2019}}
*[https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/rickelias Rick Elias on CD Baby -] https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/RickElias
* {{Discogs artist|Rick Elias}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0253518}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elias, Rick}}
[[Category:Singers from Nashville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Singers from San Diego]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Tennessee]]
[[Category:Azusa Pacific University alumni]]
[[Category:A Ragamuffin Band members]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from brain cancer in the United States]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]


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