Rick Alan King Ministry Update

From Rick Alan King's Hi Notes Newsletter of January 31, 2013:

As many of you may already know, Lana had surgery on January 24, to correct her Achilles tendon that was severely damaged by two different falls in the past few months. For a healthy person, this would be just your average, but painful, out-patient surgery and a few weeks off and then smooth sailing with common sense. Well, along with having COPD, Lana’s joints are weakened from cancer and the treatments and side effects from lots of medications, chiefly being that of antibiotics and steroids, orally and intravenously. She is now confined to a hospital bed at home and has home health and physical therapy done in-house. All this will require her to be totally non-weight bearing for 6 weeks and then 3-6 months of partial wheelchair use and therapy with close observation following.

My reason for this letter: This has caused me to basically put my entire music ministry on hold for at least four months, possibly longer. This has caused us to struggle greatly as this is basically 50 percent of our income. (I only work a very few hours a week in the hair salon these days). I have questioned, prayed and shed many tears over this situation as I realize I have many more years behind me, musically, than I do ahead of me at my age. I have fought discouragement and depression and even some anger over all this, but I do realize that life can just throw you some curve balls and you have to accept whatever is thrown your way, but it sure can be hard at times!

After much thought, talk, getting professional advice and of course prayer, I have decided to return to the road the third weekend of March. I also realize that we are well in 2013 now and most dates should already be booked or at least in the planning stages so booking dates is going to be very hard at this point in time. To any of you pastors/music ministers/promoters etc that have booked me in the past, I ask for your help again. To all of you who are fans/followers/friends of me and my music ministry, I ask for any help in any way you can be that of suggestions, referrals or advice.

The great Dottie Rambo once wrote a song titled, “Too Much To Gain To Lose” and there is a line from that song that says,“…and defeat is one word I don’t use”. I plan on clinging to that phrase with all my being.

Please keep Lana and I in your prayers and I promise we will return the favor.

Blessings to all!

Rick

Rick Alan King Music Ministries
703 Lucien Rd
Goodlettsville TN 37072
615-855-1184 or 615-972-5148
www.rickalanking.com

Rick Alan King's Hi Notes

Hi! Notes from Rick Alan King August 10, 2012

UPCOMING DATES
August 21: Laity Club, Brewer’s Chapel UMC- Cedar Hill, TN
August 26: Macedonia Baptist Church, Greenville, KY
September 9 - 15: National Quartet Convention - Louisville, KY
September 16: Cedar Springs AOG - Leeds, AL
September 22: Old Gospel Barn - Cox’s Creek, KY
September 30: Mt. Zion UMC - Albion, IL:
First Baptist Church Henderson - Henderson, KY


NEWS
July 27, I had the opportunity to sing for the USAGEM “God and Country Jubilee!” in Nashville, TN. Sandi Kay joined me on a couple of tunes. Rev. Harry and Joanne Cash Yates, Tank Tackett and Dottie Snow Tubb and many other artists were present.

Rosie had to stay with her sitter a few weeks ago. We received a photo of her in their swimming pool. Now she runs to their house whenever she can sneak out the door.

We have been to Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama and are headed back to these states soon. My 82 year old dad, who has a bad heart, had emergency bladder surgery in Indiana two weeks ago. He is now in rehab until he gets stronger. Please keep him in your prayers.

We just spent the weekend in a cabin at Elizabethtown Crossroads Campground. Keith and Carol Nichols, the proprietors, are great and I also sang there Saturday evening. “Don’t worry,” Rick could still use his blow dryer, but those walks to the bathroom in the middle of the night were a challenge.

We are again invited to stay at The Cedars Plantation B&B in Munford, AL. It is beautiful and is ran by a great couple, Cindy and Greg Horton. Sit on a porch and Smoky (the cat) might greet you.

I’ve been busy writing new songs. I can’t wait for you to hear them.


A LITTLE HUMOR:

The poor country pastor was livid when he confronted his wife with the receipt for a $250 dress she had bought. "How could you do this!" he exclaimed. "I don't know," she wailed, "I was standing in the store looking at the dress on sale. Then I found myself trying it on. It was like the Devil was whispering to me, 'Gee, you look great in that dress. You should buy it.'" "Well," the pastor persisted, "You know how to deal with him! Just tell him, "Get behind me, Satan!" "I did," replied his wife, "but then he said "It looks great from back here, too."
love to all,
Rick

www.rickalanking.com
rick@rickalanking.com
615-855-1184
703 Lucien Rd.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Rick Alan King Homecoming October 22

News from Rick Alan King

AN OPEN LETTER FROM RICK

As many of you might already know my music ministry has been hit head on with the devastating news that my wife, Lana, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Due to this horrible thing, my music ministry is suffering greatly. I have not been able to do any booking or future planning till we find out what lies ahead for Lana and me. As of now, Lana is going to have to undergo 6 straight weeks of radiation treatments on a daily basis. Due to her prior and ongoing health issues (COPD) we, and the doctors, have opted to not take chemo therapy. I have had to cancel some long distance concert dates and other music related conventions and meetings. I have also had some back problems lately and can’t lift the heavy sound system equipment and my transportation (the big white van) is showing some wear and tear.

With all of that said, please know that I have always tried to use any ministry finances wisely that the good Lord has provided, but this latest set back has put the brakes on any financial income and the budget is totally depleted.

I also realize that there are many other music ministries and people that are suffering as well due to the sluggish national economy and some churches/pastors and promoters are cancelling dates and not booking concerts because people are giving less, understandably so.

I am not going to be able to travel anywhere beyond three to four hours of the Nashville TN area for quite a while and to be quite honest, I rarely appear anywhere within the Nashville area. I am in need of help on this matter more than ever before.

So what I am trying to say is that, I, (we) are in need of help in any way you can, financially, booking and last but certainly not least, prayer. The later is by far the most important, not just for me, but for everyone, anywhere, anytime and anyplace and for whatever life deals them.

There is a verse from a great Dottie Rambo song “Too Much to Gain to Lose,” that says, “I’ve crossed the hot burning desert, struggling the right road to choose. Somewhere up ahead there’s cool clear water, and defeat is one word I won’t use.” I plan on holding on to that last line with ever fiber of my being.

Please pray for Rick Alan King Music Ministries and Lana’s health issues and I promise that Lana and I will return the favor. It’s our duty as Christians to do so!

Rick

P.S. My song, “Don’t Cry For Me” is still doing great on Christian radio. Please call your local Christian radio station and request it. What a song of healing and hope in dealing with the death of a loved one.