By Janice Nevius

On July 2nd, 2009 country music sadly lost a musical ICON that was known and loved by everyone that knew him.

Rick Roy knew what his purpose in life was going to be. He never took credit for his talents and always gave the glory of his natural ability to God. He was a man that was unstoppable. His mission was clear and any obstacles that got into his way were quickly removed by his determination to fulfill what he knew was expected of him. All of his decisions were based on what God planned for him, not necessarily on what he planned for himself. God was his biggest fan through his journey, especially towards the end of it. It is only fitting that today’s spotlight shine on a man named Rick Roy.

Rick’s career began as a young man with a huge thirst for music. For him, sitting behind a piano and hearing the thunderous applause from his audience was like a tall cold drink of water on a hot summer day. His piano playing skills and ability to sing and entertain a crowd were nothing less than spectacular. He was a man that was destined to become one of the most well known musicians around.

He was the foundation that held up so many music venues. Rick’s journey through his musical career started back when he was a member of the Lakelanders Opry show out of Decatur, Illinois. From the beginning he was a star. Opry fans were enlightened by his vocal range that even surprised him sometimes. If he nailed that high note on the end, he would look up, point to God and acknowledge him. He was always looking up.

He continued to be in high demand. Opry owners knew if they could get Rick Roy to come in as a guest, they would surely make some money that night. They were right. He was a hot ticket item and could have named his price. Instead he chose to do many shows for nothing. It was his way of “helping them out.” So many did he help: The Nashville Sound Opry Band in Mason City, New Salem Country Opry in Petersburg, Bement County Opry in Bement, Prime Time Opry in Stanford not to mention the Cowboy Churches and Gospel Groups he belonged to. Lastly his own baby, the McLean County Country Opry in Bellflower, Illinois. Rick operated his opry show for over 12 years.

People were mesmerized by his style of piano playing and his natural ability to be an entertainer. His award case contains the most awards in every category ever received by any person. The award show hosted by the ICMA which he was also a co-founder, honored him with his final award being the Entertainer of the Year-2009. This was his eighth year to receive this. Rick was too ill to come to the award show. Yet one of his wishes was to see this award while he was lying so critically ill in his hospital bed. He never took them for granted and was always humbled by the fact that he won.

Rick’s attributes to country music entertainment are endless. Because he was so blessed, we became blessed. We have all witnessed how he lived, how he raised his two children and how proud he was becoming a new grandpa. We have all felt his pain when he walked and we continue to feel the pain of his passing.

Moving on is hard however there is one legacy that Rick has left behind that will help all of us do this. Rick believed that anyone that had the desire to sing and entertain should be given the chance to at least try it.
He sometimes saw talent in a person before the person realized they had it. Because of this, Rick has inspired many of our youth and even us older ones to become the best we can be. And since his passing I strongly believe that our entertainers are now trying even harder to show him that he was right in giving them a chance. There will never be another Rick Roy but maybe someone out there that was given a chance by him will someday also become a star in the music industry because of him. The gift that was given to him will then have been passed on and his circle of life will be completed.

 

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