Praise and worship singer, Rick Dorn, has been singing of God’s love, goodness, and grace for many years, to as many ears to listen as possible. Rick’s sound is derivative of R&B, pop, and gospel, and when he sings one can’t help but be compelled to stand up and worship the Almighty Father along with him. His music was heard by secular audiences who viewed the 2019 Netflix movie, Holiday Rush,” featuring his first recording, “A Merry Christmas,” fitting in with the Christmas spirit. His name was also featured alongside John Legend, Ne-Yo, Darlene Love, among many others on the soundtrack for the film.
With “Great Things,” this is his first foray as a solo recording artist, although he’s been in music production, arrangements, and is a studio owner and operator. He’s also led countless worship services, and shared the stage with renowned gospel figures like Fred Hammon, Shirley Caesar, Cece Winans, and Karn Clark-Sheard, to name a few. The music video for “Great Things” features Rick in concert, singing to a “crowd of unconverted listeners expecting a straightforward hip-hop show”…” testifying to the universal nature of the life-changing power of God: no matter who or where you are, it’s right there for you to grasp.” (Hip Video Promo)
Although you’ve been in music for years as a producer, arranger, studio owner and operator, “Great Things” is your introduction as a solo artist. What led you to release music as a solo artist?
Rick Dorn: I had so much music inside of my heart. Songs that I needed to let the world hear. My music is more like testimonies. Real-life experiences that people can relate to and rely on for almost any type of situation. For example, in “Great Things,” you see people dancing to a gospel song in the club. The video features everyday people experiencing God, witnessing God do something extraordinary just for believing in something greater than their current situation. My wife would hear these testimonies, songs, and encourage me for a while to put them out. I also took it as a sign to move forward when other people would hear me sing and ask where could they buy my music?
You’ve been involved in praise and worship music for many years, having shared the stage with Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, CeCe Winans, among many others. When did you first know that you wanted to pursue praise and worship?
Rick: Praise and worship was always apart of my life. At an early age, I gave my life to Christ. The closer I got to God, the greater the gift inside of me grew into this great thing, that was bigger than me. The connect you experience through leading praise and worship is like receiving and sending a message from God to the people through the soul. It felt natural. It was like I was called to be a praise and worship leader. Singing praises to The King is an honor and such a great thing.
What creative satisfaction do you receive from as a singer, songwriter, and bandleader?
Rick: Singing for God is an honor and a privilege. It’s a humbling experience where I find joy in the way God uses me to bring joy in someone’s life. If it’s just one person that found hope, it truly touches me. That soul gratifying feeling makes all the hard work and sacrifice feel more like purpose than hard work. Driven by purpose, my promise to God is that I don’t use this gift to prosper but to pull people out of depression, out of financial woes, out of a bad relationship, and into a relationship with a God that’s bigger than any problem.
When did you first begin your walk with the Lord, and what is your hope for people who listen to your music?
Rick: I began my walk with Christ as a child. I was raised in church, singing in groups and different choirs. It seemed like church was all day on Sunday, and although I complained, I grew to love it. It became apart of me and the joy the Lord brought to me became apart of the way I walked and talked. My hope is for others to also become confident Christians where they carry the goodness of the Lord everywhere they go. So, now imagine a world where everyone is as positive and joyful as me. My hope is that I can lead The Adorns into their destiny by teaching them to believe in the greater with them not to gain the world but to change the world by being the change they want to see in the world.
What was the creative filming process like for you with “Great Things”?
Rick: When we started the creative process for Great Things it was before the COVID-19 pandemic happened. But I felt in my heart that God wanted me to deal with a scene in the video regarding dealing with a man losing his job, and a couple having marital problems. Little did I know that these topics would be so relative for today’s world. Fast forward, the doors of most churches in America are closed. However, the video shows when you be the church you can praise and worship and have church anywhere you go. That prophetic message highlights the joy we must find while experiencing social distancing and not being able to worship physically. More importantly, it teaches how we must find new ways to worship albeit it at work, in traffic or on zoom. The concept for the video was heaven sent and right on time as God continues to do great things during a time when we must choose faith over fear.
