SideKick
Rik Raats & Friends — Celebrating Friendship with Music
As music is most probably the most effective substance to cement the connection, over the last 45 years Rik has performed and dueted live on stage with an immense long list of musicians and singers. Renowned musicians, celebrities but also the sheriff's wife, the Pharmacy assistant and many other occasional singers.
'Rik & Friends' as an act is unstoppable musical joy. The audience becomes part of the act, and the crowd ends up as one family sharing the musical vibes.
'Rik Can Make Everyone Sing'
'I love to awaken the musical spirit that lives in almost everyone on this planet. My greatest teacher had a sticker on his briefcase saying 'Only the Angry Won't Sing'—I think it's partially true. Partially, because even in the darkest of places, I discovered great musical joy that brought light in devastating circumstances'
The Blue Guitar
Rik's Blue Guitar. This Yamaha G-225 was purchased from Nadia Luyts in 1984. It got painted blue when Rik Raats married Sofie Snels back in 1993. This instrument underwent many customizations, improvements, and repairs over the years including a built-in Fishman Matrix pickup system and pre-amp. The dent in the left side, caused by his wife was purposely never repaired.
A Homesick Instrument
As flying with an instrument includes risks, this guitar rarely leaves California.
