Rick Landers – Publisher/Editor

Rick interviews Johnny Winter.

Rick interviews Johnny Winter in Annapolis, MD.  Rick has published Guitar International (GI) since it began in 2005, as Modern Guitar Magazine. Photo courtesy of GI.

Rick enjoys a mix of rock, folk, jazz, R&B, the Blues in various doses. Some of his favorite artists include: John Martyn, Nick Drake, Tracy Chapman, Warren Zevon, Roy Harper, Tim Buckley, Magic Sam, Joni Mitchell, Jackson C. Frank, John Coltrane, Davey Graham, Billy Holiday, Richard Thompson and others.

In 2024, his focus is on managing Guitar International magazine, hosting Blue Melody House Concerts, performing in the Washington, D.C. area and bicycling. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the W&OD rail trail, where he founded and now manages the path’s Trail Ambassador Program (TAP).

He lives in Reston, Virginia, with his wife, Terry, their rescued Boxer and two cats.  He recently published an illustrated children’s book series called, The Adventures of Digit and Tess. He’s recently been recording a 12-track album at the legendary BIAS Studios, a five-track EP at a Nashville studio, and a 3-track “live” album that will include his original songs, that will include: “It’s Not My Fault,” “Appalachian Hollow,” “Angel on the Wing,” (award recipient), and “Maria,” (award recipient), and more.

He has owned a group of vintage and rare guitars that include the following: 1946 Gibson J-45, 1946 Gibson Southern Jumbo, 1957 Gibson Southern Jumbo, a Gittler, a 1968 Martin D-35; a 1933 Gibson 0017; a 1973 Brazilian Loprinzi; and many more.

Rick’s singer-songwriter website is HERE.

Rick (1964)

Recently, Rick served as a judge for the 2020 Annual Washington D.C. global MASC songwriting contest with winners announced in January 2021. And this year, he was the first virtual showcase performer for the 35 year old Reston-Herndon Folk Club in Virginia

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The acoustic guitar in the photo, above, is a very rare 1960s Givens and Cross dreadnaught, made by the legendary mandolin builder, RL Givens.

Rick Landers & Heartland at the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival.