To express our appreciation for Rick and all that he has meant to the fans over the years (not to mention how grateful we are that he is back out and sharing his music and spirit with us), the RLS Fan Club presented Rick with a very special birthday gift.

The fan club members generously donated to purchase a rare "cig fiddle" guitar for Rick. The fan club editor, Vivian Acinelli, was proud to present the gift that so many fans had worked together to purchase. The gift was presented in Cleveland, Ohio on August 11, 2000. Presented with the gift was a card containing notes from every donor to the gift. Rick took the time to peruse the messages from the fans in the card, and even tried out the unsual guitar on stage for the lucky fans in the crowd that night.

Rick has given us so much, it was a rare treat for the fans to be able to finally give something back to Rick. The pictures here show his appreciation for the gift. Most of Rick's admirers agree that it is not only the music that draws them to him, but his intense spirit and graciousness as well.