Among the lower valleys that he encountered was a distribution difficulty which meant that while the video for his song Make a Monkey was at the number one spot on ZTV, his fans were unable to find his album in stores. More mixed results came when two versions of Blue Plate were recorded- one more mainstream, one more geared to a Christian audience. Once again, distribution hassles interfered with plans. “The mainstream album never got released. . . This was again a little frustrating seeing that I had one-hundred-and-forty mainstream radio stations playing me. But again, we've worked through those problems now.” Taking on a more traditional approach with Neon is now the favorable decision. “As long as the only place you can buy my records is a Christian Bookstore it just doesn't make sense to make a ‘non’ Christian record. If God wants me to make records for the mainstream market than He can get me a mainstream record deal. Until then I'll be making strictly Christian records. That's the kind of deal I have.” As such, he has also decided to not pursue any mainstream radio play with this sophomore effort. He is also confident that his label, KMG, has ironed out any kinks in their distribution agreements.
Extremely pleased with the sound on Blue Plate meant that Rick would, once again, call on renowned producer and musician, Adrian Belew, (known for his work with bands like Talking Heads, and David Bowie,) to help out with Neon. It proved to be a fruitful decision. “When I wrote Blue Plate I didn't know I had a record deal. It's much different knowing you're going to write and record a song and it's going to be on an album in a Christian Bookstore. I think Neon is much more focused and a more consistent record. I am very happy with the album and feel on many levels it's a better record than Blue Plate. That's what I wanted to be able to say . . . I wanted to make a record as good or better and I feel that I did that.” While Belew is not a professing Christian, Rick says that they have had many talks about their faith, and that he seems open to Christianity. “I don't know that work can influence someone’s opinion of Christianity. I believe it's the way you live your life and the love you show. I pray that my life has been a testimony to him.”
Currently, the KMG lineup includes bands like Every Day Life, and Fono. While these may be bands that are getting a different kind of attention by crowds, Rick adds his comments. “KMG is a small label so they have to work twice as hard to get attention for their artists. They have always been very supportive of me and I'm very glad to be working with them. If they were one of the bigger labels I might feel [that I was not getting the same amount of press] but not with KMG.”
Right now, one of the singles off of Neon is doing very well on the charts. The song is I’ll Say Yes is “currently number eleven on the charts with a bullet. We'll see if they let me in the ‘top ten’ club. There are about six singles on this album that could do very well.” I’ll Say Yes was inspired by modern-day martyr Cassie Bernall, the young girl at Columbine High School that was shot to death last spring for her Christian beliefs. The song was also recently featured on Dawson McAllister’s radio program as part of a show where Cassie’s parents were guests. “ Through the song I'll Say Yes I have hooked up with evangelist Dawson McAllister. I was on his radio show and now I'll be doing all his conferences and crusades next year. I'm really excited about that. We did a crusade in Alabama last month and it was awesome. One-hundred and fifty kids came down and made decisions for Christ. That was so cool. It's great to go out there and do ministry. That's so much better than, ‘Here's four songs; now go buy my records and T-shirts.’ I'd much rather see kids get saved than buy my products.”
So far, he has been able to keep a pretty low profile, without compromising his family time. “When I go out it's usually for a weekend or maybe a crusade for 4 days. That works great with the family. I have lots of time with my wife and kids. I'm very blessed.” While he had tentatively scheduled a tour with Smalltown Poets, things fell through, and he is aiming to hit the road more extensively in the next few months.
Along the way, life in the last two years has taken Rick Altizer in some new and different directions. “[I have learned] to place [my] identity in Christ, and Christ alone. I've learned that music doesn't define me. Also, I'm approaching my music from a much different perspective, now than before. I'm far less concerned about pleasing people, and my main goals now are to please the Lord and myself. I've found that by taking that attitude the music I make is so much more fulfilling to me.”