"Free Ride," Rick Derringer's first smooth jazz recording, released in April 2002 on Big3 records, is truly a rare work of genius. Critics are raving with superlatives, suggesting that this CD's eleven recordings were "Written and performed to sway and groove alongside the best of Kenny G and Spyro Gyro!" With Free Ride, Derringer has fused his guitar virtuosity, along with his songwriting and producing abilities, resulting in a sound so right for this period of his life.

Jazz was his first love. However, at the age 16, Rick Derringer, with his band "The McCoys" recorded that great pop classic "Hang On Sloopy," which in 1965 replaced the Beatles HELP!" and Barry McGuire's Eve of Destruction as the top spot on the Billboard chart. Hit records followed before the McCoys went 'underground,' recording Infinite McCoys and Human Ball. It was then music connoisseurs first become aware of Derringer's innate gift of jazz.

In 1972, All American Boy was released and Derringer rocketed to ‘rock star status.' The single "Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo," instantly became an international chart topper, and today is still an anthem on classic rock stations around the world. The first single from Free Ride is a jazz rendition of "Hoochie Koo" called "Jazzy Koo," which broke onto the smooth jazz charts, and immediately went into heavy rotation on New York's CD 101.9, and many other smooth jazz stations across the country.

Derringer originally wrote and produced 'Rock & Roll Hoohie Koo' for albino blues guitar legend, Johnny Winter, when he merged the McCoys, with Winter, forming "Johnny Winter And." He then joined forces with Winter's brother Edgar, a great jazz, blues and rock musician in his own right. Derringer produced Johnny and Edgar Winter's gold and platinum albums including Edgar's number one hits, 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride.'

In the mid 80s, Derringer discovered Weird Al Yankovic, producing music for his Grammy-winning albums and videos. Derringer's production of the Michael Jackson parodies gave Yankovic his number one hit "Eat it" followed by "Who's Fat."

Derringer toured as the opening act with some of the world's leading rock superstars including the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. In the late 80's Cyndi Lauper invited Rick to write on her multi-platinum True Colors album, and perform on her world tour.

In the 90's Derringer succumbed to the pressures of the music industry, only to emerge as a ‘Born Again Christian.' He recorded several albums and kept in touch with his fans by headlining rock clubs and festivals worldwide.

Many other major recording artists discovered Derringer's jazz influenced guitar talents. He was asked to perform his guitar magic on albums for Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, Alice Cooper, Air Supply, Bonnie Tyler, Richie Havens, Kiss, Meat Loaf, Todd Rundgren and many others. Over the years Derringer has appeared on stage with cultural icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Les Paul, Jackson Brown and Bonnie Raitt. As a guitarist, Derringer's crowning achievement occurred when he appeared on the coveted cover of Guitar Magazine.

Rick Derringer's multi-faceted career has transcended and endured through nearly four decades. From "Hang On Sloopy," to 'Free Ride,' classic rock to smooth jazz, his music continues to ensure his place in musical history.

After recently signing with independent record label Big3 Records in January of 2002, Rick has recently completed his latest Smooth Jazz album. This highly anticipated album, "Free Ride" featuring the hit single, "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" in a smooth jazz format called "Jazzy Koo," has been in stores since September 2002. With his new release on Big3 Records, fans of Rick Derringer can continue to enjoy the high energy sounds of this legendary "Guitar Man" right into the new millennium!