Singer-songwriter Rick Pickren has shared the stage with George Strait, Merle Haggard, Alabama, The Judds, Dolly Parton, Joe Ely, Steve Earle (when he was country), Rodney Crowell, B.J. Thomas and cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell. His past awards and successes include: 1988 winner of Marlboro Country Talent Roundup with his band Paleface Brigade. In 1989 he again won the Marlboro Country Talent Roundup with his new band Thunder Riders (a name taken from the Gene Autry serials) and went on to the Nashville Finals losing to Ronnie Dunn, soon to be half of Brooks & Dunn. In the early 90s Rick was a staff writer for Jordan Entertainment in Nashville. A descendant of Buffalo Bill Cody, he travels the plains performing his cowboy song and history program “Songs From The Lonesome Prairie” and "Songs From The Steel Rails". Rick has a Bachelor of Music in Musicology and Masters of Acting/Directing from the University of Michigan. His knowledge of cowboy and rail history, lore and song is reflected in three critically acclaimed albums: Songs From The Lonesome Prairie, The Call: More Songs From The Lonesome Prairie and Rails, Rogues & Wrecks. As an actor, he portrayed the role of Jim in the original Chicago production of Pump Boys & Dinettes. He also directed and starred in Foxfire. He is featured in the films, Major League, While You Were Sleeping, Soul Survivors and U.S. Marshals. He has also guest starred on many TV shows including The Untouchables, ER, Early Edition, Missing Persons and Turks.