Nashville: Heath Wright and Payton Howie S04EP01

Roger the Wild Child Show

On this episode of Roger the Wild Child Show, we are joined by Heath Wright of Ricochet and Nashville recording artist, Payton Howie!

HEATH WRIGHT/ RICOCHET

In 1996 the members of country super group Ricochet watched their debut single, “What Do I Know”, rise to the Top 5 earning the band the honor of the highest charting debut single of the year. The follow up single release, “Daddy’s Money”, became an immediate across the board hit, rising to #1 on the Radio & Records Country Singles Chart, the Gavin Country Singles Chart and the Billboard Country Singles Chart (where it stayed #1 for two consecutive weeks). The band’s distinctive musical style and intricate harmonies earned them the recognition as one of the most popular vocal groups in country music, a mantle they still wear today

Now, more than fifteen years later, “The Hardest Working Band In Country Music” is still going strong. The band continues to create great country music, sung with the distinctive harmonies that are their hallmark. They log thousands of miles on the road each year thrilling audiences of all ages across the United States and abroad.

Ricochet is:

Heath Wright – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar & Fiddle

Chris Hempfling – Drums & Vocals

Larry Hight -Steel Guitar, Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Saxophone & Vocals

Bruce Bennett -Bass & Vocals

Rick Toops -Keyboards & Vocals

• Ricochet’s debut single, “What Do I Know”, was the highest charting debut single of 1996 rising to #3 in R&R and #5 in Billboard. The follow up release, “Daddy’s Money”, was #1 in R&R, Billboard, Gavin and Country Network.

• Recognized as one of Country Music’s hardest working groups, Ricochet has performed thousands of shows over the past 15+ years and they continue to perform to sold out venues all over North America.

• Ricochet is the only the only country artist to ever chart our National Anthem and is in constant demand to perform it live. They have performed the anthem for our men and women in uniform, at NASCAR Sprint Cup Events, at Major League Baseball Events, at National Football League Events, at National Hockey League Events, at PBR and PRCA Professional Rodeo Events and others national events.

• In addition to eight nationally broadcast, high rotation music videos, Ricochet has made repeated national network television appearances including The Tonight Show, Prime Time Country, The Grand Ole Opry, Crook & Chase, The CMA Awards, The ACM Awards, The CCMA Awards, Speedvision and many others.

• Ricochet has headlined 2 USO Tours: Operation Season’s Greetings 2000 to Japan and Korea, and Operation Season’s Greetings 2001 which took the group to Spain, Sicily, Germany, Macedonia, Turkey, and Portugal to perform for the men and women of our Armed Services.

PAYTON HOWIE

With backwoods bathed vocals and bona fide southern swagger, Payton Howie is leading the next generation of redneck women. Branded as the ultimate ‘All American Girl’ by Scenes Media, Howie unapologetically embodies the untamed tradition that country music was built on, and she’s hellbent on bringing her own grit to the honky tonk.

Not many can say they’ve shared the stage with the likes of Carrie Underwood, and Howie is one of even fewer who can say they were handpicked to do so at the age of 5; while other kids were learning how to ride a bike, she was teaching people to expect the unexpected whenever they hear the name Payton Howie.

Her music has been highlighted by leaders in the industry, including “Never Go Home” featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Country: Best of 2021 and Country Rock playlists, and “Country Before Me” featured by COWGIRL Magazine and CMT. On the verge of releasing her debut EP, ‘Youngblood,’ Payton Howie is prepared to scorch country music with a brand that’s hers alone.