Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His blind audition: Ricky Duran, 29, Worcester, Mass., performed “River” by Leon Bridges. Ricky launched into a passionate, soulful version of the song. And chairs started turning. Heck, everyone’s chair turned before he hit the chorus. Blake liked his stage presence and the confidence he showed. Ricky opted to join Team Blake.

Here’s more about Ricky.

* He’s from Worcester, Ma., currently resides in Austin and lists his genres as acoustic, blues, R&B, rock and pop on Facebook.

* He’s released a pair of solo singles — “Tattoo Tears” and “Dreamin'” — both of which came out in 2017.

* “Tattoo Tears,” which you can check out below, was written about a good friend. Ricky was supposed to be the best man at his wedding, but the friend committed suicide. Ricky calls it the most personal song he’s ever written.

* He’s also been guitar player and vocalist with the Blue Light Bandits, a groove rock band out of Worcester, Mass. The Blue Light Bandits released a debut album in 2017.

* In 2018, he was named best solo act and best male vocalist at the Worcester Music Awards. Blue Light Bandits were named the best live act.

* He describes his music as “a melting pot style.” While he grew up listening to old-school blues and still loves that music, he’s also a fan of current pop and reggae. “My music, I guess I would says blues, pop, soul.”

* In 2017, Ricky toured with Spanish-born singer-songwriter Leroy Sanchez on his “Man of the Year” tour.

* As for the move to Austin, Ricky describes the city as “the live music capitol of the world” and says he gets to play out five nights a week at different venues.

* On Instagram, Ricky credits his father for putting “the first guitar in my hands” and serving as his biggest inspiration. They played in a band together during Ricky’s high school years, and he managed Ricky’s band while he attended the Berklee College for Music.

* Shortly after Ricky graduated from college, his dad committed suicide, leaving a note urging Ricky to “live his best life.” Ricky then lost his mother to breast cancer. Their deaths inspired his blind audition song choice.

On social media:
Instagram
Twitter: @IamRickyDuran
Facebook
YouTube