Rick grew up in San Diego, California, the eldest of three children raised by their mother Mikki. Early on, Rick realized he had both a passion and talent for music and, with his mother’s encouragement, began to write and perform at school and in the various clubs and coffeehouses in his hometown. Once in college, he studied English Literature for two years until realizing that music was his true calling, so, he promptly dropped out and pursued his music career wholeheartedly. Within a year or so he was signed to a major label and publishing deal but unfortunately, as is so often the case with young artists in the music business, this would prove to be disappointing with regard to anything being released...nonetheless, it proved to be a season of great learning, a time when Rick would develop and hone his skills and focus as a musician and, more importantly, as a writer and producer. Fast forward a number of years...by the late 80's and early '90's Rick was recording and performing with his band The Confessions, playing everywhere from small clubs in Southern California to large festivals in the US and internationally. Here is what John Thompson wrote in CCM Magazine regarding that time -

Frontline Records for all its shortcomings, was pretty good at finding some amazing talent in the 80's. From the streets of Southern California came the gritty voice, incredible song writing and muscular guitar of Rick Elias. Though new to the Christian music scene, it was obvious that Elias was a long time veteran of the rock'n'roll school of hard knocks. His voice sounded as if he had been gargling chipped glass and kerosene for ten years, yet is it evocative and melodically rich. His guitar playing was obviously shaped by years of club gigging and various epochs of influence. But it was probably his lyrical prowess that caught folks off guard the most. Elias wrote from the perspective of a person with more than his fair share of regrets. His perspective was equally informed by his very relevant faith and his years of experience on streets. Relationships ("Stripped"), self-destructive behavior ("Streets of Rome," "Stones") and soul-searching ("Without One Word") were courched between bold declarations of faith ("Confession of Love, " "The Word Is Love") to great effect. Rick Elias and the Confessions was gut-level expression of real-life faith amidst the wreckage of the western world. Elias rocked with the swagger of Bruce Springsteen, and his innate sense of melody brought accessibility to his rock and power-pop tunes. His concerts became the stuff of legend to the few who had the chance to see them. Unfortunately, since the Christian music industry really didn't have a niche for thoughtful and mature roots rock, Elias fell through the cracks as alt bands sprang up around his feet weeds. Eventually, Elias would go on to lead the Ragamuffin Band, and even make a splash in the pop world by producing, writing and playing for the Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do!"

Rick is probably best known as a founding member of "A Ragamuffin Band" formed by the late Rich Mullins in the early '90's. Rick performed with Rich until his untimely death in September 1997. At that time - at the request of Rich's family, estate, and record label - Rick resumed the production (as he was chosen by Rich to do before his passing) of Rich's posthumous release "The Jesus Record". The Jesus Record went on to win 2 Dove Awards, and had two # 1 songs, "My Deliverer" (sung by Rick) and "Nothing Is Beyond You" (sung by Amy Grant). The Rags continued to perform and released one more album, "Prayers Of A Ragamuffin" in 1999, produced by Rick. it included his song "Make Me An Instrument" -- a musical rendering of St. Francis' Prayer and St. Patrick's Breastplate - which caught the ear of Vatican officials. This resulted in The Rags being invited to perform before the Pope and 2.4 million people in Rome, Italy for World Youth Day in August, 2000. Rick was also given the production reins for the official album for WYD, "One", which included him being able to produce one of his musical heroes, Aaron Neville, as well as many others who contributed generously to the project. Though the Rags have since disbanded, all three projects -- "The Jesus Record", "Prayers", and "One" -- remain a high point for Rick, both spiritually and musically, albeit bittersweet. Also, during this time ('95-'03) Rick contributed two songs to Bob Carlisle’s multi-platinum, #1 album "Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace)", as well as co-producing/writing 5 songs for the Tom Hanks film "That Thing You Do". He can even be seen in a couple of scenes if you don't blink. Which leads us to Rick's last solo release, titled in memory of his acting career, "Blink". "Blink" is an album that is lyrically and musically sophisticated without forsaking the pop sensibility and raw energy Rick is known for by fans and musicians alike. Here's what he had to say about it:

"Blink came about more naturally than my previous two efforts," confides Rick. "I didn't write these songs with the initial intent of using them on one album, and as a result, I wasn't at all concerned about marketability. As well as being more pure, it's more diverse-a musician's record. These songs were some favorites I'd collected".

Rick currently resides in Nashville Tennessee, where he continues to live and breathe his faith and music. He is ready to go wherever either may lead...