In the heart of Minnesota, we found Rick Leach, a very unassuming guy with a very matter of fact way of looking at things.  Rick has made plenty of guitars for people you would expect to be anything but regular, but according to him, that's exactly what they are-he claims he would not have built guitars for them otherwise.   RPA: How can you call Bobby Vee a regular guy?  He's sold over 28 million records. Rick: Easy, you just haven't met him to know better, he just a great guy. RPA: Ron Wood? Rick: Well, I'm trusting someone's judgment on that one because I haven't met him yet.  That guitar was built as a gift for him.  I have been told by Tom and Rob Veline that he's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.  I also heard he loves the guitar so he's got to be a good guy, right? RPA: So anyone who likes your guitars is a good person, is that how you judge?

Rick:  No, I build them so that if someone is NOT a regular guy or gal, the guitar just won't play. RPA: Really? How do you do that? Rick: I can't tell you, its a secret RPA:  Ok, we'll move on from there.  Your guitars are truly some of the most beautiful guitars we've seen.  Do you consider them showpieces? Rick:  This interview's going to end real soon (growl).  Not at all.  They're guitars.  The day someone buys one of my guitars to put it in a showcase, that's the day I'm hangin it up for good. RPA: So you really want people to play them? Rick: Yeah I want people to play them!  That's why I make them. RPA: Have you made one for yourself?  If not, will you? Rick: No, I haven't.  I'm thinkin I'll keep the last one. RPA: The last one you made? Rick: No, the last one I ever make. RPA: We've been told by one of your customers that your guitars "have the songs built right in em'" is there any truth to that?

Rick: Yes PRA: And how do you do that? Rick: That's a secret too. PRA: How many guitars do you plan on building in your lifetime? Rick: Just enough of them to keep tires on my truck PRA: Let's talk about the Ron Wood guitar for a moment.  Is it exciting to know one of the Rolling Stones is playing your guitar? Rick: Yeah, it's pretty cool.  I hope to meet him soon.  I get more cranked about the guy than the band he plays for, though.  RPA:  What did you do when you found out you were making a guitar for Ron? Rick:  It was about 2:00 in the morning when I found out so the rest of the night I was running around in my underwear going "Ron Wood.  I'm making a guitar for Ron Wood" RPA:  Who else have you made guitars for? Rick: Let's see, Martin Zellar and Paul Diethelm who were both great to work with.  I've known Paul for many years.

Then of course the Vee's (Tom and Rob Veline) who have been so supportive and have given me a bunch of exposure because they travel so much.  I also have a lot of people in St Cloud who have had me build guitars for them. Those people have been the backbone of my business.  Guys like Dave Daniel, I call him "Mr. Freeze" cause he's so cool.  And the craziest county commissioner to ever walk the face of the earth-Big D. RPA: What's Big D's real name? Rick:  I just told you -Big D RPA: (laugh) Ok, I understand you've agreed to give us a little more information on the guitars you've built for some of the people we've just mentioned? Rick:  Absolutely (Continued on next page)

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