Canyon Lake performer has history of the big stage

BY Aprile McKinnon

Rick Thibodeau moved into Canyon Lake during the pandemic with his wife Dawna and brought with him quite a history of stage performances with some of the great singers and bands in the music industry. The talented bassist, singer and songwriter has performed with Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith, Neil Sedaka, America, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Orleans, Aerosmith and others. Now, he is performing a tribute show, “Tapestry,” which not only celebrates Carole King’s iconic songs, but also tells the story of her life.

A group of Canyon Lake fans made the trek to Lancaster Performing Arts Center to see him perform.

“What an amazing and enlightening tribute to Carole King and her many accomplishments,” Sue Law said. “It was beautiful.”

With a mesmerizing blend of visuals and talented artists, the show captivated the audience, leaving them in awe of Rick’s remarkable talent and the enduring legacy of Carole King as both a vocalist and prolific songwriter.

“I really enjoyed the show,” Lorie Campbell said. “I forgot how many songs Carole King wrote. The cast/band is very talented and Rick was so great. His talent and showmanship made me smile through the entire show.”

“It is always so much fun to see Rick perform. He brings energy and joy to every performance like nobody else,” Brett Law, one of the Canyon Lake group, said. “The songs are obviously great on their own, but his stage presence adds so much to the show. I’m so proud to call him a friend.”

Canyon Laker Rick Thibodeau performs bass and sings vocals at the Carole King Tribute Tapestry Concert recently. Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon

Rick loves people and enjoys talking to people about music. If given the opportunity to engage Rick in a conversation about his music, it will make your heart sing. If you get the opportunity to see him perform you will not be disappointed.

Rick and Dawna Thibodeau relocating to Canyon Lake was not their original intent when they purchased property in the community. They lived in La Crescenta at the time and acquired the Canyon Lake home for rental purposes. The purchase was in early 2020, just as the world was shutting down because of the pandemic.

Hence, circumstances swiftly shifted when escrow closed, prompting the Thibodeaus to alter their decision, making Canyon Lake their primary residence and selling their home in La Crescenta. They are thrilled with their new community.

Demonstrating a proactive approach to community involvement, Rick and Dawna wasted no time in immersing themselves in Canyon Lake’s vibrant social fabric. They promptly joined the Canyon Lake Yacht Club even prior to owning a boat, as well as the Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild, the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club, The Young Old Peoples Club and the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce. Their dedication to community betterment is underscored by regular contributions to the Yacht Club and the Canyon Lake Family Matters Club.

Rick Thibodeau performs at a live music event at the outside venue “ApCal Rock N’ Ranch,” formerly known as “Apcal Winery,” in Madera. Photo by Kimberly M Photography

Rick has the advantage of working in the music industry which allows him to work out of his home as well as when he is on tour. Rick has a vast and diverse career in music, while Dawna has extensive experience in the real estate world.

She currently holds proprietorship over two Harcourts Real Estate franchise offices, one located in Studio City and the other in Canyon Lake. Rick and Dawna are also busy with Canyon Lake Neighbors Magazine, a collaboration with Best Version Media.

Their family eagerly partakes in various Canyon Lake recreational and social events, including frequent attendance at live music events hosted at the Canyon Lake Lodge and Canyon Lake Country Club, trivia nights, and other community gatherings.

“We love the community spirit of Canyon Lake and the many friends and neighbors that we have met since moving here,” Dawna said.

Rick and Dawna have five grown children and six grandchildren, and enjoy spending time with their family when Rick isn’t on tour.

Despite Rick’s diverse array of musical endeavors, his passion for music remains unwavering. Whether through songwriting, recording, or live performances, his ultimate satisfaction lies in the joy his music brings to listeners. His infectious enthusiasm and captivating stage presence leave indelible memories, resonating long after the final note rings.

In the early 1980s, a career transition from Boston to Los Angeles presented Rick with the opportunity to augment his already illustrious résumé as a bassist, singer, and songwriter. Initially gaining prominence as the lead songwriter and bassist for the band Trapper, Rick showcased his songwriting and performing talents to audiences spanning the East Coast as he shared the stage with iconic rock acts such as Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Orleans, and Aerosmith.

In 1996, driven by his enduring passion for performing, Rick joined forces with Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods, renowned for their 1974 chart-topping hit “Billy Don’t Be a Hero.”

Subsequently, in 1999, Rick earned recognition as the Bassist of the Year by the California Country Music Association, marking a pivotal milestone in his career. For over two decades, Rick lent his musical prowess to the Heywoods, as well as sharing the stage with a plethora of esteemed artists including Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith, Neil Sedaka, America, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. Collaborating with lead singers spanning various musical genres, Rick’s versatility as a bassist contributed to the success of numerous performances nationwide.

Rick had the opportunity to play the hits with lead singers Spencer Davis (Gimme Some Lovin’, I’m A Man), Al Wilson (Show & Tell, The Snake), Maxine Nightingale (Right Back Where We Started From), Frieda Payne (Band of Gold), Ron Dante, lead singer of The Archies (Sugar, Sugar), The Cufflinks (Tracy), Andy Kim (Rock Me Gently), Alan O’Day (Rock N Roll Heaven, Angie Baby, Undercover Angel), Al Jardine of the Beach Boys, and many others.

Rick’s talents also include writing and recording songs for top Hollywood productions. His credits include The Sopranos, Call Me Kat, An American Tragedy – the OJ Simpson Story, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful, to name a few.

And, then, recently, Rick ventured into the realm of tribute bands, delighting audiences across the country with his performances in Tapestry, a tribute to Carole King and Bella Donna, a tribute to Stevie Nicks, which was featured on AXS TV’s World’s Greatest Tribute Bands. Bella Donna was asked to join with over 30 original artists performing on a Southern Caribbean cruise that is set to sail this spring with a 1970’s Rock and Romance theme.

Also on Rick’s tribute band repertoire are Savor, a tribute to Santana, which is performed all over Southern California and often frequents the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, Mirage, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band that delights audiences up and down the State of California and has played to sold-out venues in Arizona and Florida and Déjà Vu, a musical retrospective celebrating the timeless classics of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.