Check Out Rich Mangicaro’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich Mangicaro.

Hi Rich, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a musician all my life. It began for me, like many others, after seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. That, along with I Love Lucy – the hit TV show in the ’60s that featured Cuban music, influenced my path and I never looked back. After high school, I attended college and studied music and eventually left my home town for Los Angeles, where I am today. Along with playing in bands my entire adult life, I got a job in the music instrument industry and from that work, made many high-profile contacts, which led me to eventually playing for 15 years as percussionist/vocalist for Eagles founding member, Glenn Frey. After Glenn’s passing, I achieved a life-long dream of writing, recording and releasing my 3 solo albums – Travels, Dialogues and A Dream I Had.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My path was not easy but I feel so very fortunate. It seems, as I look back that every decision was a stepping stone to the next thing and I basically followed what was laid before me. It’s interesting in hindsight, to see how it is all connected. I feel very lucky. The main struggle I feel was trying to stay ‘in the moment’ and be patient. That is a daily challenge, to this day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I basically have two ‘jobs’ First, I’m a recording and performing artist. Since I was 16 years old, I’ve been a professional musician meaning I’ve made in income from playing my instrument, which is drums and percussion. As I’ve mentioned, one thing led to another and it’s been a constant series of stepping stones, playing with great fellow musicians. It’s a network and that network is smaller than we think. Everyone knows someone that connects to your circle, if your eyes/ears are open. My second ‘job’ is working in the music industry as an Artist Relations Manager. I explain that title this way – in sports, there is someone from, say Nike who works directly with sports icon Magic Johnson for his needs with Nike, including his endorsement deal. That’s what I do in the music industry…I’m the product specialist and liaison between the manufacturer of musical instruments and the celebrity musicians who endorse those products. I guess I’m known for a consistent, solid reputation assisting a lot of players with their needs in a way that is very comfortable with them, since I also come from that world as a performer and recording artist. I’ve made many, many friends along the way – lifelong friends and some of them are the very artists who initially influenced me, coming up!

How do you think about happiness?
Friendships. True friends who have your back, no matter what. That is one of life’s most special gifts. That and family. We can’t go through a fulfilled life without both of those things. Also – those special times when I’m playing my instrument, either live or in the studio, when everything else vanishes for a moment and I’m truly ‘in-the-moment’. These are the most Zen moments for me and often times, I feel I’m ‘riding above’, looking down on what’s happening. If I’m truly letting go and letting the music carry me, I’m in that place and it’s amazing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.richmangicaro.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmangicaro/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richmangicaro/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-mangicaro-22341b205/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichMangicaro
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/atnoon-jc-rm
• Other: https://richmangicaro.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Rob Shanahan
Kristina Sado