Eric Von Kurtz was born into an Air Force family in Pennsylvania in 1956 and he lived in Australia, Colorado and Florida. He was self-taught and had a rare, natural musical gift. If he could hear it or think it, he could play it immediately, first take. Thus he was known for his prowess as a sideman and session musician. He had a sharp wit that kept his band mates and friends in stitches. Never a dull moment when Rick was around!

He moved to Birmingham in 1976 and played with The Wild City Dogs (76-77), High Roller (77-80) and recorded dozens of songs with Randall Richards and Mike Matos on their solo projects (he also played many live events with Richards). Other recording projects include albums such as “Love Keys” by Eddie Kendrick, “Let Your Fingers Do the Talking” by Billy Karloff, “Took a While” the Mike Duke Project and “Beautiful Thing About Love” by Rick Carter and the Sizzlers.

As a working musician, Kurtz wasn’t the type to boast. However, during an interview on Triangle Variety Radio, he offered highlights from his 40 years of experience, such as sharing the stage with the Allman Brothers Band and appearing at two Farm Aid festivals. Kurtz also mentioned performing at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry.

After High Roller Kurtz joined Don, Bird, Lolly and Marcel to form The Mortals. When The Mortals disbanded in 1984 he played with Mike Duke, Bird and Bryan in Mike and the Maximums and later performed with Topper Price, Delbert McClinton, Webb Wilder, T. Graham Brown and The Convertibles. He also headed Chuck Berry’s back-up band at the 1989 City Stages. Rick moved to Nashville in 1992 and stayed there for several years doing gigs and session work. A great example of Rick’s playing can be heard with Delbert McClinton (along with Mike Duke and Bryan Owings) on Austin City Limits “Every time I Roll the Dice”