BIO

Rick Lee James is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, chaplain, and podcast host based in Springfield, Ohio. With over two decades in ministry, he has uniquely bridged music, worship, and compassionate care, making a lasting impact both on and off the stage. A member of the Recording Academy since 2021, Rick’s acclaimed song, Advent Hymn (Watching, Waiting, Longing) from his 2016 album Hymns, Prayers, and Invitations rose to number one in national radio adds, becoming a holiday staple on streaming platforms nationwide.

Rick’s career encompasses his work as a full-time healthcare chaplain for Bon Secours Mercy Health in Springfield and his 23 years as Music Pastor at Home Road Church of the Nazarene. A graduate student in Healthcare Chaplaincy at Loyola University, he also served as a Chaplain resident at Kettering Health in Dayton, Ohio, during 2022-2023. Recognized for his academic excellence as a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the highest honor in Jesuit education, Rick has drawn on his experiences to bring healing through music in diverse settings—from the National Worship Leader Conference to the Ryman Auditorium, and countless hospital encounters.

As the host of Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast), Rick has interviewed renowned Christian artists like Jason Gray, Andrew Peterson, and Sara Groves, as well as distinguished theologians including Walter Brueggemann, Stanley Hauerwas, and Will Willimon. He also shares the wisdom of Fred Rogers with a large audience through his popular Twitter account, @MisterRogersSay, and his Welcome to the Neighborhood: A Mister Rogers Tribute Podcast, featuring guests such as Tom Junod and Jon Secada.

Rick's creative output includes the live album Basement Psalms Live and his book Out of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms, which has been adopted as a textbook by the National Praise and Worship Institute at Trevecca Nazarene University. His latest album, Thunder, features 13 tracks, including the previously unpublished Rich Mullins song, “Thunder,” and has been celebrated by major Christian media outlets including New Release Today, Relevant, and CCM.

Drawing inspiration from his chaplaincy work, Rick has recently released several reflective singles, such as Shine a Light in the Darkness, You Are My Salvation, As I Walk These Halls, and Keep Watch, Dear Lord.

Rick's Mission: Hear it. Sing it. Live it.
To lead others in hearing God’s word, confessing His holiness, praying faithfully, singing truthfully, and embracing His invitation.