He was born Ricky Lee Hunt in San Diego, CA on December 9, 1957. Being the son of a Navy man, he moved to the east coast and to the mid-west for the first five years of his childhood, returning to California when he was entering 6th grade. It was then his teachers discovered Ricky had a “flair” for dimension and color. During these pre-high school years he began to paint and sculpt many kinds of artwork. His passion for dimension and layers of color were beginning to show themselves in his work at a young age.
Ricky entered high school in 1973. These would be the years he was to apply everything he knew about his art to the sound of a guitar. It would become his obsession that would lead him to playing in the pep band and several local rock bands during this time of discovering and listening to all types of music.
Then Ricky discovered progressive rock. He was drawn to the layers and dimension displayed by bands like Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes, and Styx, just to name a few. This would cause him to spend hours teaching himself how to play his favorite songs.
But there would be some troubled times ahead. Ricky began using drugs in high school as a way of escape from some very dark times during these years. After high school there came the military. Ricky thought perhaps following in his dad’s footsteps would change things a little. While in the military he would spend hours developing his skills as a guitarist and exploring new avenues of sound that led him through progressive rock to Latino, classical, R&B, and blues. Ricky completed his duty and was honorably discharged.
Following his time in the military, Ricky moved back to Lodi, CA where he would dive into the local music scene, playing in local bands and doing a lot of drugs. Yes, it still had a hold on his life. The 80’s would prove to be both bitter and sweet for Ricky. It was the late 80’s, after almost 15 years of drug abuse, that Ricky knew there had to be a change in his life. The drugs were no longer working on the pain in his heart. In October of 1988, Ricky found a peace in accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. This would be the beginning of a great adventure, as he calls it. A never ending story of mercy and grace.
Ricky took two years off from playing and says “God was rearranging my heart.” As a Christian artist, Ricky has recorded and released his own solo album with the help of Bruce Gaetke, a very long time friend. He has played with local bands and is active as a worship leader in his home church. He loves to teach prophetic guitar to students who want to learn how to make the instrument sound the way they feel. Dimension and layers are still his first love when it comes to music. Ricky will tell you that being with Time Horizon is an extremely honorable place to be. “Being involved with such a group of amazing musicians as well as committed Believers only makes for an exciting future in furthering the kingdom through the music.”
Ricky desires to send a message of hope and forgiveness to a world that is ever changing and ever needing the power of love.
Name: Ricky Lee Hunt
High school graduate
U.S. Veteran
Self-taught guitarist
Favorite Color: black chrome
Favorite Book: Bible (New Living Translation)
Favorite Movies: Sahara, Book of Eli, Avitar
Favorite Food: taco truck tacos
Favorite Mode of Transportation: Harley Davidson
Favorite Quote: “Life is not measured by how many breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.” ~ unknown