Ricky Valido

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. When I was eight years old, my great-grandmother gifted me my first guitar, sparking a lifelong passion for music that began with strumming its strings and dreaming of creating my own melodies. What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Charley Crockett, Visions of Dallas Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger My top three albums are Sturgill Simpson's A Sailor's Guide to Earth for its unique blend, Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger for its timeless country feel, and Tears for Fears' Songs from the Big Chair for its impactful production. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “Hello Darkness” "Hello Darkness" is special to me because it explores themes of darkness, ghostly encounters, reincarnation, and the spiritual realm, blending these profound elements with my unique country sound to create a hauntingly immersive experience. What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? One of my most memorable career moments was performing "Bone to Bone" live and feeling the audience’s powerful reaction to its raw emotion, which affirmed its deep impact. Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? I want to explore and create new styles of music and continue producing an endless array of records that push boundaries and resonate deeply with listeners.