The Rick Rebel Band

The Rick Rebel Band is a new-age style of country rock. Their songs are full of heartache, harmony, and hard edges. The band has a diverse blend of musical genres that produce their own unique country sound and style.

Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Rick "Rebel" Wendling started his musical career over 25 years ago as a teenager writing songs to express his innermost feelings. Rick has played with many regional bands and recorded several albums over the years. Over the last few years, he has concentrated on his acoustic performances, which has led him from club-to-club throughout the region. Rick's exceptional songwriting skills and musical ability have shaped the path which The Rick Rebel Band now travels.

In 2009, Rick paired up with long time Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Josh White to start a new acoustic project that over time evolved into the present band. Josh brings over 25 years of experience as a multitalented musician, who in the late 80's and early 90's toured the club circuit playing everything from blues to rock and roll. The two musicians participated in the Nashville Songwriters Festival last summer and graced the stages at such places as The Ryman, The Red Rooster, Big Shotz, and Picks. They and their music were well received.

Not long after their return from Nashville, Rick and Josh enlisted the talents of Chris Demastrie on bass. Chris had played with Rick on and off in several bands over the last 10 years and agreed that his style and driving rhythms were just what the band would need. Chris started three decades ago playing the drums in several different popular regional bands, but found his true love about 8 years ago playing the bass.

A few weeks later on an elementary school ball field, Rick spoke with long time friend and drummer Matt George and they decided he would join the band. Matt brought his 25 years of drumming experience and knowledge to the table. Matt spent most of the 90's on tour performing and also recording several albums in the metal genre. His style and beats are the driving heart of this unique new country sound.

Looking for that final piece to round off this new sound, Matt contacted friend and old band mate Kevin Mahon to play the electric and slide guitar. After watching the band perform live, Kevin dove in head first in late 2010 making the band the unit it is today. Kevin is a well-seasoned musician practicing several different styles of guitar that he studied while attending Berklee College of Music in the early 90's. Kevin has recorded several albums and toured in the mid and late 90's and early 2000's. His hard edge rhythms and sassy solos are just what the band needed to set them apart from any other country rock band out there.

The band and their audiences always have great times at their shows. The band just finished recording it's debut album with acclaimed producer Tony Perrino and mastering engineer Larry DeVivo, and believe it will be a great success. Keep an eye out for these boys; they're going to reinvent the country rock genre