Rip Lorick, originally from White Rock, South Carolina, calls his music "alternative honky tonk." He encompasses everything from country, blues, rock, jazz, folk, reggae and funk into his songs.

At a young age, Rip began performing the music of his honky tonk heroes, such as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe, John R. Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, John Prince, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell. He was drawn to this style of music through its tremendous connection with the outlaw movement of the 1970s. "I remember the first album that had an impact on me was Willie Nelson and Family Live, which my daddy owned. I would sit and listen to that album for hours, and I still do. I knew at that moment exactly what I wanted to do with my life."

After graduating high school, Rip, with only his guitar and love for playing, enrolled at Winthrop University, near Rock Hill, South Carolina. He was soon playing in the college club circuit with his bands, Buck Naked and later Crazy Horse, to an audience unenlightened to country music. Instead of giving in to pop culture, Rip integrated his beloved country style with something new. "We started playing funky to really get the kids into the music. I still use that basic approach today." Rip found a home with the college crowd and was soon sharing the stage with such acts as Drivin' and Crying and Hootie and the Blowfish.

Rip, the "Youngest Outlaw," later moved to Nashville, where he performed his country funk at Tootsies and Roberts Western Wear. Rip's Nashville recordings include Lights of the City, Songs for Sale, and Where There's a Will, There's a Way, produced by Robby Turner, "the gentle giant of the pedal steel." Where There's a Will, There's a Way was also produced by long time Willie Nelson side man Bee Spears and featured Reggie Young.

The road and hard times gave Rip musical inspiration and songs, but also told him that Nashville wasn't the right place to be. The Nashville sound and political musical machine of music row didn't make Rip feel completely at home, so he packed up his guitar and followed his dream to Texas. Rip considers Texas music a symbol of freedom, spirit and independence. "My dad kept telling me to go Texas. He said that's where it all comes from for you, that's your home." Rip's sound relates to the Texas music of Pat Green and Cory Morrow. "When I first moved here, all these kids kept telling me I sounded like Pat and Cory. So I got my hands on some CDs and went to a couple shows. I realized this is exactly what I've been doing all along. Shortly after that, I met Cory on Willie's bus and got to play a show with him at the Copper Tank. In my set, I played one of his tunes. Cory joined me and seeing the kids in the crowd took me back ten years to when I played with Hootie. I knew I was finally in the right place."

Since then, Rip has started to generate a successful Texas following. He has also shared the stage with the musical talents of Cory Morrow, Jimmy Lee Jones, Bobby Boyd, Billy Joe Shaver, Michael Myers and the McKay Brothers.

The recent release of Rip's latest CD, Somewhere in Texas, shows the spectrum of Rip's music. Along with his own musical abilities, other talented musicians, including members of The Willie Nelson Family Band, the Waymore Blues Band and the V-roys, joined him.

"I'm doing what I always wanted to do: write, sing and pick. Really, it's the only way I know.