Andy Rice
Andy Rice
My musical journey began when I took up the trumpet in my tiny rural school's band program. I can't recall why I chose trumpet but I was pretty good at it. Teen angst and an interest in sports drove me to quit in the 8th grade but shortly after that I started singing and bought a bass guitar in my freshman year. That's when I found my voice. I got into guitar and recording after that and was writing and recording my own music in my bedroom and playing in bands with my friends and at church. I attended gifted and talented classes at the local university and eventually went to music school and played, produced, and taught music professionally on a variety stages and studios and for most of my adult life before landing here at Sweetwater in 2012. What I bring to the table for my customers is real life experience of all sorts, a strong interest in problem solving, and a natural curiosity for things I don't know about. I'm an artist and gear geek and I'm here to help you out on this musical journey. My best days here at Sweetwater feels like I'm selling gear to my friends and I love that.
As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, please let me know anytime I can offer help or advice.
(800) 222-4700 ext 1305
E-mail Andy-
Education/Certifications:
BM in music performance, MM in jazz studies, Apple certified, Apogee certified, RedNet certified, Sweetwater University, SSL certified, Avid certified
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What was your occupation before coming to Sweetwater?
Musician, teacher, composer, occasional barista . . . I love coffee!
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Why did you first apply for a job at Sweetwater?
Because I love helping people, and I believe in the Sweetwater Difference. I find it very fulfilling to help people find solutions to their problems.
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Technical strengths:
Guitars, bass, amps, keyboards, drums, home recording
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Instruments you play:
Upright bass, electric bass, vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboard
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Personal motto:
“Our individuality is all, all, that we have. There are those who barter it for security, those who repress it for what they believe is the betterment of the whole society, but blessed in the twinkle of the morning star is the one who nurtures it and rides it in, in grace and love and wit, from peculiar station to peculiar station along life’s bittersweet route.”
— Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume -
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sweetwater team?
The wealth of experience and knowledge around me. I am confident that if I don’t know firsthand the answer to a customer’s question, I can quickly find the answer.
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Who are some of the notable artists you've worked with?
I have shared the stage with Tim Reynolds, Peter Rowan, the New York Voices, and Bob Mintzer, to name a few, and have studied with Roy Vogt, Bronek Suchanek, Ray Brown, Rufus Reid, Ben Street, Micah Jones, Don Glanden, and Kevin MacConnell, among others.
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Links to my music
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/andyrice/so-seriously-feat-ed-tupper/
https://2beforenoon.bandcamp.com/album/same-kind-of-weird
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jHCwhlC4mEt8YhScYVmlC -
Random fact?
I bought my first bass at age 13 with money I earned picking potatoes on a farm in northern Maine.
Interview with Andy...
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Andy has provided astounding customer service. Being in a similar job title in the past myself, I have been very impressed with Andy as well as sweetwater in general. Happy customer and will be spending a lot more $ here in the future. To be honest I don't even look at other sites to buy equipment from simply becasue I don't think I can get the same service anywhere else. Thanks again Andy and sweetwater!
Gabriel from Albuquerque, NM
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Andy is great to work with on small and large purchases. He knows the products and goes above the norm to keep me informed on new products, orders, and technical issues. Sweetwater is a goto resource for the things I need to play guitar.
Thomas from Amesburry, MA
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Andy is the man Very cool!! He promptly returns my calls. He is a hard worker always checks back and follows up making sure I am happy with my purchase and to see if everything is going smoothly! Andy is a wealth of knowledge and is consistently helpful, pleasant, courteous and patient! He definitely cares about his customers and it shows. It is obvious Andy loves what he does!
Mark from Smithfield, VA
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Andy was very helpful and wonderful to deal with.
Cleve from Blakely, GA
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I just wanted to show my appreciation towards Sweetwater and my amazing salesman Andy. Just got a call from him out of the blue just to make sure everything was still working (about a year after purchase). He was also interested in looking up some of my music online! It's a good feeling knowing that I'm working with someone who actually cares about the customer and shares an interest in music, opposed to someone who only wants a commission. Sweetwater is the place to go for equipment and Andy is definitely the guy to talk to! Thank you
Tony from Columbia Falls, MT
