Rick Cua

Rick Cua
Rick Cua Wear Your Colors album cover (1986)
Background information
Born	December 3, 1948 (1948-12-03) (age 60) Syracuse, New York, USA
Genres	Christian rock Southern rock
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter, Music Publishing Executive
Instruments	Bass Guitar, Piano
Years active	1980-Present
Associated acts	Outlaws
Website	www.rickcua.com

Rick Cua (born December 3, 1948 in Syracuse, New York) is an American Dove Award and Grammy Award-winning Christian rock singer, songwriter, bassist, author, and ordained minister. He is a former member of the Southern rock band, Outlaws, whom he joined in 1980, but left in 1983 to pursue a full-time career in Christian contemporary music, the year after, wherein he gained popularity throughout most the 1980s as a leather-jacket-wearing rocker with an arena rock sound featuring big, shout-along choruses;^[1] but upon signing to Reunion in 1988, his works began to take on a softer, more radio-friendly tone that included "sentimental ballads and pop-rock anthems in the style of Michael Bolton."^[2] Cua left Reunion in 1992, creating his own label, UCA Records, on which he recorded three studio albums in the 1990s but received little radio play. He has been married to Diana since 1970. They have two children, a son-in-law, and a grandson.

Cua took a hiatus from recording in 1998 and went to work as Vice President of the Creative Department at EMI Christian Music Publishing, where he stayed until 2003.^[3][4] Following that executive stint, Cua became focused on managing his own two companies: Rick Cua Entertainment, which manages artists and works in music publishing, film and TV licensing;^[5] and All For The King Music, offering coaching and inspiration to lay musicians through workshops and free electronic delivery of original worship music.^{[6] [7]}

Celebrating his 25th year in ministry, Cua released his twelfth album, Won't Fade Away, in 2007. It was his first album in ten years.^[3]

Discography

External links

• Rick Cua's Official Website
• CrossRhythms Interview: The Singing, Bass Playing Veteran Who 'Won't Fade Away'
• Allmusic.com: Rick Cua

References

1. ^ Alfonso, Barry. The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music. New York: Billboard, 2002. p. 148-49.
2. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Vol 2. New York: MUZE, Inc., 1998.
3. ^ ^{a b} RickCua.com: Rick Cua Bio. Retrieved 02-11-2007.
4. ^ Christian Music Archives: Rick Cua
5. ^ Bialczak, Mark. "A Family Affair: Buz, Nick and Rick Cua Headed to Sammy's Hall of Fame." The Post-Standard. 31 May 2006: p.E5. Infotrac Custom Newspapers. Thomson Gale. Peter Armacost Library at Eckerd College. 4 Nov. 2007.
6. ^ About Cua's All For the King ministry. Retrieved 02-11-2007.
7. ^ About Cua's coaching ministry. Retrieved 02-11-2007.