Music is what drives me to do anything and when I was thinking of the title for this feature, the first thing that came to me was Zhane’s 90’s hit “Hey Mr.DJ”. I distinctly remember sitting in my bedroom on the shaggy spring green carpet with my boombox listening to this track play on the radio, quickly pressing “record” at the very beginning so that I can add it to my mixed tape. Our kids will never know of this struggle.
Just thinking back to the first time that Loren and I met Rick, we connected over our love of music and being in the wedding service industry, I knew that if we ever worked a wedding together, I was going to hear some great stuff! It’s not just the selections that Rick plays that I’m thankful for, it’s his whole energy. Every wedding we have experienced with Rick, he’s engaged with the guests, he uses the couples names and makes their party a personal one. He’s out on the dancefloor having a blast and genuinely enjoys watching everyone get down. Even I can’t help stepping out onto the dancefloor to wiggle to the beat. He just has the gift to make you move!
I wanted to sit down with Rick in his home and chat about how he got started in the industry, but also learn a little more about my friend when he is not mixing beats and working weddings.
We spent our morning at Rick’s enjoying coffee and donuts, taking a tour of his house that he has spent the last year or so rehabbing, while Loren and Rick bonded even more over their love of plants. This man has plants everywhere – even a room dedicated to keeping them alive during the colder months! These babies are lovingly cared for, moved frequently so that they get maximum (or minimum) light and stay fresh with the help of a few humidifiers.
After our tour, we sat down in his living room, I pushed play on my voice recorder and just let Rick share:
Rick was born and raised in Detroit, growing up on gospel music, with his family still very involved in the church. He would sneak to listen to Soul, Motown, Hip-Hop and R&B and he was influenced by artists such as Pearl Jam, U2, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Naz and Jay-Z.
His family has a long and rich musical history. Rick’s love for music stems from being born into the multi-talented Clark family where his mother, Denise Clark Bradford, along with her sisters, toured as the Gospel vocal group The Clark Sisters. These inspirational women are the highest selling female gospel group of all time. Their epic story was featured as a Lifetime movie biopic and recently the sisters received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2024 Grammys.
Rick and his six brothers were nicknamed the stair step because his mom was always kicking them out of the house. He has survived being the middle child and he as experienced all of the stereotypes of middle child syndrome.
Did you have a nickname that stuck with you? “Oh yeah. It was Little Ricky… because I was short, until my senior year. I was always ‘Little Ricky'” Rick says with a laugh. “My mom called me ‘Bossy'” [after his grandmother, Dr. Maddie Moss Clark.] “She was a boss. She was awesome and she was stern. And she didn’t take no stuff off anybody. It was hard being a black woman in that era, raising girls that would become international superstars. You did not mess with her but she knew what she stood for.”
How did Touch the Sky come to be? Rick started his career in Education, working as an academic advisor at Owens Community College. “I was looking for something for additional income, what can I do in the nights or weekends?” Rick came across an ad on Craigslist from a local DJ asking “Do you like music? Are you good with people?”
“I interviewed and he hired me there on the spot saying: ‘I want to start training you.’ It took about 12 weddings for me to feel like, ‘I’ve got rhythm to seeing what happens in this world and I think this is a blast, let me see what I can do with it.'” says Rick. “In meeting photographers, videographers, planners – I was just getting a couple of bumps, nudges to say ‘you might want to brand and do your own thing…’ and I’m like, ‘Thank you!'”
Loving the Curtis Mayfield jam Move On Up Rick says once Kayne West came out with Touch The Sky which he says is a great example of revitalizing a classic and making it an anthem. “I was like, Touch The Sky is perfect!” Rick said. “When you’re on the dancefloor, people’s hands go up…it’s spiritual.”
It took time for Rick to really understand other businesses and where they were flourishing, keeping in mind where there could be improvements. Launching in 2015, he worked hard to grow Touch the Sky into a company that offers DJ services in multiple cities: Toledo & Columbus. Working with Rick on the wedding day is so much fun, not only because we have gotten to know him over the years so it doesn’t really feel like work, but his energy that he brings is real, the vibe is cool and he can dance to just about anything.. we’ve seen it. Even country music.
Bruupppt…….
Speaking of country – when I asked: What is a gift that you’ve received that you had to keep but you didn’t want to? Rick thinks for a moment, then says: “Matter of fact, I’ll show you this one!” and walks out with this amazing shacket that – to most of Rick’s followers – you would not expect him to ever wear, but it actually looked great and he could totally pull it off. “I feel like I should have a piece of lumber, a matching beanie and be standing in front of two feet of snow with a horse behind me.” laughs Rick. “But its really warm, so I’ve got to keep it!”
….. okay, back to our regularly scheduled program:
The growth of Rick’s business over 2 to 3 years led him to hiring new DJs. Rick says “I can teach anybody how to use a DJ controller and turn the speakers on. But you can’t teach a person how to care for couples and for clients. They really have to want to be there to give them a great experience and lead them through the night.” More than just a typical DJ, Rick offers custom up lighting and photo booth services to enhance the party.
What has been your biggest challenge? “Understanding social media which is constantly changing. Trying to find your voice as an artist and continuing to show up for yourself and say ‘How can I give?'”
“The DJ sees everything!” says Rick. We had to ask about his famous viral Instagram video – “As a DJ behind the booth, you’re playing a variety of music just to get the people out there and you start to see what’s resonating with people.”
“And so, we were just vibing. I’m mouthing the words to the song and she’s mouthing the words too, we’re having this battle back and forth and I thought: ‘this is super cool’ “
“I clicked ‘film’ and the moment was recorded in history. I thought to myself, ‘that was a really great moment’. I go home and eventually post the video and the video just goes absolutely insane!”
After his lady in red video went viral, Rick has seen the positive impact that it’s had on his online presence. “A lot of people are seeing the videos and mixes that I’ve created.” says Rick. “They’re watching Touch The Sky in a new light and followers have just been insane.”
“It’s encouraged me to be creative. Be artistic.” Rick says of his viral video success. “Have some fun and not take myself too seriously.”
“I’m getting to a part where I want to really hone in on my technical skill, the sound and visual quality of what you’re hearing and seeing.”
Rick spends his days listening to different music, seeing how it pieces to together and making that creative artwork for people. When he is not in DJ mode, he can be found at his home, tinkering in his garage either working to restore a vintage ’69 VW Bug or his motorcycle. “I found a way to share my heart and found a way to not have idle hands.” says Rick. “I’ve learned to weld a bit and just how an engine works. I’m totally fascinated with that.”
“My ambition is rooted in love.” says Rick. “I’m just trying to be a good man. A consistent contributor. That to me, means everything. I don’t need external things. I’ve got everything I need.”
Rick also spends time with his two gorgeous teenage daughters, staying busy attending their after school activities like the incredible full on production of “Footloose” (we went to see it and it was phenomenal, the best school musical we’ve ever seen, even Molly loved it!) and keeping up with softball, the girls stay busy! “My family is my ‘why’. Providing for them and living a life that underlines the concept of ‘never give up’ is what I want for them. They know I love them deeply and would do anything for them.” Rick says.
“I find peace by focusing on being a DJ. The girls see I don’t mind giving myself completely to this line of work and service. I hope it ultimately encourages them to find that for themselves.”
What is your favorite color? “Navy blue”, he doesn’t even have to think about it. “I love royal purple but blue speaks to me.”
What is something you hate but everyone loves? “Starbucks! This is the worst, it’s so gross. You’re drinking trash coffee!”
What is your favorite beverage? “Bombay Sapphire & tonic.” Rick says. “That’s the standard, I’m not drinking anything less!”
Would you ever have pet? “No, the only reason being is because I like to travel and I like to tinker and I just don’t need something else that demands me to be at home, you know?”
Who is your career inspiration? “There is a Japanese guy, in New York. His name is DJ Shu_g. He just creates great content, I feel like he’s my soul brother. The second I hear a song that he’s about to mix, in my heart I know that song and I’m just curious. ‘Where’s he going with this?’ Makes me want to be a contributor in the field. I want to inspire other people.”
In five years, what to you want to say you’ve achieved? “I want to say that the team that we have created has been consistent in being of high caliber, that is important to me.” Rick went on: “I don’t want to spread myself too thin, that saying ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ – I don’t want that to be my story.”
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? Rick pauses, then ends our interview with: “Looking Inward, Expressing Outward.”
One last note….
“Some of the quieter, proud moments I’ve had is when I can just look at what’s happening with the business and the relationships that I’ve established.” Rick says. “That means the world to me. I remember [that feeling] at the Stables. I stepped outside on the concrete patio. It was a nice summer night, barn doors were open. I got out of view of everybody and just peered in, my music was playing and everybody’s in there, having an absolute blast. All I could do is look up and be like, ‘Thank you, Lord. If this is my life, this is absolutely beautiful.'”
So far, it is a beautiful life, my friend.
I can’t thank Rick enough for sitting down with us sharing his life, his losses, his ambitions and his heart.
You can get in touch with Rick here:
