Rick Denzien
About
Hello, I'm Rick Denzien, a passionate songwriter, artist, and advocate for eco-sustainable living. My journey in music began near Buffalo, NY, where the harsh winters shaped my resilience and creativity. Here's a glimpse into who I am and what I bring to the table:
Musical Journey and Achievements
Songwriting and Performance: I've penned songs that resonate with audiences, blending storytelling with a unique sonic landscape. My work has not only been appreciated on stage but has also crossed over into the digital realm, where I've recently been certified for over
35 million streams on platforms where my music and the music I've produced for others, recorded, mixed, mastered, written, or performed. This milestone reflects not just my commitment to my craft but also the trust and support of listeners worldwide. I am a current member of the producers wing and voting member of the Grammys.
Production Mastery: Beyond writing and performing, I've delved into the art of production, ensuring that every note and nuance in my music aligns with my vision. My albums, like "RADIATE," and "Exit 21," are testaments to this, showcasing a blend of indie and major label collaborations, all while maintaining an environmentally conscious approach. All the music over more than a decade was recorded with certified wind power and for 8 years off our studio roof top solar array.
Commitment to Sustainability
Zero Emission Musician: My dedication to environmental sustainability isn't just a part of my music; it's a lifestyle choice. I've toured exclusively with electric vehicles, reducing carbon emissions, and my home and studio runs on rooftop solar power. This commitment extends to how I live my life, from what I eat to how I travel, aiming to inspire others to consider their environmental impact.
Mentorship and Education: Recognized for my environmental efforts, I hold mentorship certificates from leading climate organizations. Through these roles, I've had the privilege to guide and inspire the next generation towards sustainable practices, intertwining my music career with environmental activism.
Philosophy and Teaching:
Creative Philosophy: Music for me is not just an art form but a way to communicate, challenge, and change. I believe in pushing boundaries, both in sound and in thought, encouraging those I work with to find their voice and express it boldly.
Educational Approach: When working with students, I focus on unlocking their potential, much like the advice given to new college students to engage fully, ask questions, and be open to new experiences. I bring this philosophy into my mentorship, fostering an environment where creativity meets curiosity.
Why Choose Me
Proven Success: My achievements in the music industry, coupled with my streams, provide a tangible measure of the impact and reach of my work.
Holistic Education: Learning from me means not only mastering music but also understanding how to live and create sustainably. I offer insights into the music industry from production to performance, all while embedding lessons on environmental stewardship. Specifically, I received my BA in Religion, Philosophy and Psychology. I also received a certificate in music business law in the area of Intellectual Property. Most recently, I received certification from Climate Reality as climate change mentor.
DIY Education: I completed installing our 14-kw solar array with off grid capabilities and battery backup. I built 3 of my own studios and consulted and worked on 3 others. I have designed a special floor just for the recording environment. I have may years of experience in all sorts of installs that require electrical, plumbing basic carpentry, cement work, laying tiles, and built a compete bath and 5 star Airbnb guest space over covid.
Workshops: I have held 3 workshops on building EV charge stations from open source parts from scratch. With in 3 hours attendees built, tested and charged an actual EV with the chargers they just built. So far we have built 20 charger which are all deployed and working.
Engagement and Inspiration: I strive to be the mentor who not only teaches the craft but also inspires a lifestyle of creativity, responsibility, and innovation. My approach is to provoke, inspire, and challenge, ensuring that my students leave not just with skills but with a vision for their own unique path in music and life.
Joining me means embarking on a journey where your talents are nurtured in a space that values both artistic expression and planetary health. Let's make music that moves, messages that matter, and memories that last.
Teaching Style
Rick Denzien brings a wealth of hands-on experience from a lifelong music career that began in his teenage years in Buffalo, New York, where he performed in the band Freeway and collaborated on a high school radio play with musician Bob Schiele. After college, he toured venues across the East and South before settling in the Philadelphia area (Ambler, PA), where he founded his independent record label, Slot One Entertainment, Inc., and established a commercial recording studio (Bah-Fo Studio, powered by solar and wind energy since 2013). As a producer, recording engineer, and sound technician, he has worked with major and indie labels, producing and recording numerous artists and songwriters in addition to his own releases.
His achievements include multiple albums with nationally charted and award-winning songs, nominations including a Grammy entry nod from NARAS for his work on Exit 21 and other tracks (such as entries in Song of the Year categories), ASCAP recognition for categories like Crossover Artist of the Year and AC/Hot AC Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the New Music Awards, and a multi Semi-Finalist & Finalist placement in the Song of the Year competition. He has also directed short films like Death Looks on You (2020), Adaleigh (2022), More (2023), Green Sky (2024) and 30 Minutes To Go (2026)
Beyond music, Rick pioneered as a "Zero Emission Musician," completing the first fully electric vehicle cross-country tour (and return) in a Tesla Model 3—exceeding 8,000 miles in 2018–2019 and pushing past 20,000 miles total by 2020—with collaborator Debra Lee. He has been an EV enthusiast since 2013 (starting with a Nissan Leaf), became a Tesla owner in 2018, and serves as a founding member of the Delaware Valley Tesla Owners Club (since 2018), where he has organized events like road trips and educational showcases. He has captained National Drive Electric Week events in the Philadelphia area for over a decade and was trained as a Climate Reality Mentor by Al Gore in 2020, augmented by ongoing climate catastrophy discoveries using his platform to advocate for sustainability through workshops, performances, and media features.
Curriculum
I use my own original texts, custom exercises, and proven methods developed over decades as a performer, producer, and songwriter to teach guitar and vocals in a highly personalized, effective way at DenLee Music School.
Rather than relying solely on standard method books or generic curricula, I create tailored materials—including chord charts, pattern-recognition worksheets, vocal warm-up sequences, and lyric/melody prompts—that draw directly from my experience recording and releasing award-winning songs. For guitar, students start with foundational techniques I refined through touring and studio work, then quickly move into spotting musical patterns (like common progressions or fingerboard shapes) using my simplified visual aids and shorthand notations that make complex ideas intuitive and memorable.
To accelerate progress, I integrate songwriting as a core tool: I provide my own guided creativity exercises where students build original phrases or full songs right away, using their guitar and voice. This isn't just theory—it's hands-on application of what they've learned, helping them internalize skills through personal expression while tying into real-world performance.
We apply these methods to both timeless classics and contemporary tunes I select or adapt, ensuring lessons stay fresh and relevant. Everything connects back to a purposeful framework: I weave in environmental themes from my "Zero Emission Musician" ethos, using song topics, discussion prompts from my writings, and real-life examples (like sustainable touring stories) to give students a deeper reason for their practice—turning music into a vehicle for awareness, responsibility, and positive impact. This custom, integrated approach keeps students motivated, builds confidence fast, and produces well-rounded musicians who create with intention.