The History of Rick Seratte

Born to Country // Raised on Rock

Rick Seratte’s Early Life

Seratte was born and raised in California’s San Joaquin Valley on the family ranch where he learned hands-on working skills of ridin’ and ropin’, along with the value of hard work and what true grit determination was all about. His natural musical talents in piano and singing had surfaced at a young age and, by the time Seratte was a young teen, music was his main focus. Prior to his teen years, he was influenced by his parents’ record collection listening to everything from Nat King Cole to Sons of the Pioneers. 

The now-legendary Bakersfield Sound was evolving at the time and was the prevalent music throughout the Valley, including Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys headquartered in Fresno. Seratte fondly remembers sitting with his family every night to watch the now legendary “Cousin Herb’s Tradin’ Post”, a Bakersfield regional tv show. The show featured a young Buck and Bonnie Owens, Merle Haggard, local and regional acts like Roy Buchanan as well as newcomers Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Cash, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams along with Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, Texas Ritter and many more. 

Family member “Uncle Jelly ” Sanders was a regular member playing fiddle and guitar on the show and also doing live shows with cousin Bob Wills quite often. Jelly is on many of Buck’s early recordings. When Jelly decided to stay in town, Buck had to find someone to replace him, so they found a young handsome champion fiddle player and handed him a Telecaster guitar. 

His name was Don Rich. ( A tribute to Jelly Sanders is included in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Bakersfield Sound Exhibit as a founding member, having performed, toured, and recorded with many of these pioneers of The Bakersfield Sound.) Seratte is Blessed by exposure to his heritage and bloodline, as a part of musical history.

RICK Seratte’s Musical Influences

In L.A., Seratte worked hard at his craft, and it paid off. Asylum Records took notice and Seratte was offered a deal. As with so many in Hollywood, people changed chairs, left the company, and the deal fizzled after a year, but his talent was recognized. Seratte’s keyboard and vocal skills also earned a solid spot on the “A” list of musicians in town and he was cutting tracks with the best players in town. He was in demand in the studio and for live performances, as well as keys and vocals on film work, T.V., and commercials. After taking an audition, Seratte was asked to join Poco. 

Seratte’s keyboards and vocal blends were a perfect fit for the band and their signature harmonies. As a member of several multi-platinum and Grammy-winning acts, Seratte has performed from Budokan to The Meadowlands, for audiences in stadiums, arenas, studios, and television all over the planet, including; Whitesnake, Foreigner, Three Dog Night, Spencer Davis Group, Stan Bush, Rick Springfield, Lion/Bad Moon Rising, ShadowKing, Masters of Reality, Debbie Gibson. 

Seratte joined as a member of the Baxter-Entwistle Band (Skunk Baxter, John Entwistle, Mickey Thomas, Zack Starkey, and Seratte), a project he wrote for and co-produced. Recording sessions, producing, writing songs, singing jingles, music for television and film, and more were packaged between the touring.

A-Listers Rick Seratte Has Worked With…

Royal Wade Kimes

Human Drama

Kabuki

Foreigner

Whitesnake

Lion

Stan Bush

Babylon A.D.

James House

Jimmy Ryser

Trouble

Bad Moon Rising

Heavy Bones

Danny Tate

Jack James

Andy Gerome

Les Dudek

Jack James

Our Merch

Rick’s Rock’n Musical Merch Shop offers a wide selection of gifts & stylish threads that sure to be enjoyed by the music-lover you love!

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