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Rick describes this record as "a journey through hills and flatlands, open skies and thunderstorms. I stay off the four-lanes and stick to the back roads; there's enough scenery to keep the drive interesting. I went into the studio and recorded all the songs in a few sessions, just me and the guitar together, without overdubs. I wanted to keep it natural and live; it's hard playing and singing separately, like trying to drive wearing a blindfold. We kept some songs lean and stripped down. Greg V, a fantastic guitarist from Nashville, opened up the landscape with some incredible colors and textures. The parts he came up with became essential to the sound of the record. Craig Akin is one of the top jazz bassists in Kansas City and he made the rhythm dance. Dean Sharp is a great drummer from upstate New York. He has a really original approach coming from the jazz and alternative rock scene. And keyboard virtuoso Radoslav Lorkovic played accordion on one tune. Based in Austin, he is the ultimate accompanist. He's been touring with Odetta so I was lucky to catch him coming through the area."
Why 'Eight Hundred Miles'? "You can decide for yourself," Rick says. "You have to have a title and you try to keep it open to interpretation, not make it into a billboard. I guess making this record was like a really long drive. Took a wrong turn south of Cleveland, great pie in Vicksburg, hit a pothole on US-61 and broke a tie rod, mechanic fixed it for five bucks and a six pack, got lost in the Ouachita mountains. You get there eventually, just not always by the route you expect. All those detours end up making it a much better trip."