Country artist Freddie Rick, along with Don Henry (piano) played in a country duo called the Pennsylvania Nite Hawks. They performed in as “hillbilly entertainers” at the Shamrock Musical Bar on Eutaw Street, and Nick’s Musical Lounge on Huntingdon Avenue. Later in ‘55 joining the group were Ronnie Phillips (guitar), and Whitey Johnson (bass).
Phillips later played for the Untouchables in early ‘60s, and Bobby Anderson’s Group V in ‘70s. Johnson led a number of country and bluegrass groups over the years (see bio).
Rick was a member of the Hilltones in 1957 who were seen at Moe’s. In the early ‘60s he was seen on weekends at Jazz City on Pratt Street.
Freddie also headed his own band the Packers (‘63-64) that held house band stints at the Holabird Inn, Julian’s, and Lou Comi’s Gay 90’s Showbar Lounge… He led The Country Capers (‘65-73). Freddie also appeared with Bobby Brown as a duo at the Southern Inn on Friday and Saturday nights in 1967 as well as appearing in the Southern’s Sunday Jams along with the Epics, and the Just Us Four. Freddie Rick & the Gamblers played the Club Ranchero.
In the ‘00s Rick performed with his band Just Plain Country. They could be seen throughout southern Pennsylvania at Moose clubs, American Legions, Fire Halls, etc.
