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New Year’s Eve night, a night of celebration for most Americans, saying good bye to the old year and hello to the New Year. But to one teenager in western New York State, it is a night that started a life-long love affair with Southern Gospel music. That teenager was Duane Rizzo.
Duane was a starry eyed teenager that first heard the greats of Gospel music at a church’s annual New Year’s Eve Gospel concert. Over the years The Prophets, Statesmen, Cathedrals, Speers, Couriers, LeFevres and countless greats journeyed north to New York State to sing Southern Gospel music. Northern groups were in the mix too, Jacobs Brothers and Keystone Quartet among them.
In the ’60’s and ’70’s Duane attended many of those concerts with his family. His music love affair grew as they became friends with the artists. When the Keystone Quartet relocated to Buffalo, NY the Rizzo family was instrumental in assisting. Duane became their roadie and even backup singer from time to time. He just knew he wanted to sing Southern Gospel music. It was in his blood and dreams. That Gospel music bug had gotten him good.
Singing with his family and performing solos, Rizzo experienced a full circle ride of music. Being Italian, many of the songs and concerts were sung in Italian. He was also in the school orchestra. He sang specials in church. But over the years the passion to sing SOuthern Gospel music still burned strong, but his life had some expected turns along the way. He married in 1979. His son was born in 1988. He was appointed as a Buffalo police officer in 1980 and he still made some music along the way. The motto To Protect And Serve was real in every facet of his life, family, community and even his music. He was perhaps Buffalo’s only Southern Gospel singing police officer.
Over the years that police motto served his 25 year police career well, from 1973 as finger-print technician to patrol officer, then K-9 handler, Patrol lieutenant and Public Information officer. In 1970, Rizzo served with the Army Reserve as Army cook. In 1977, he transferred to US National Guard where duties included cook, staff sergeant and Food Instructor to Master Sergeant. In 1989, he was commissioned by Warrant Officers School. He served as a Brigade level Food Service Technician, retiring in 1997 as Division Level Food Service Technician. During his service he was awarded numerous Army Service medals, including two Army Commendations and the Humanitarian Service Award.
Music was never far away. Duane would attend concerts from time to time. He would sing as his schedule permitted. Yet his friendships kept him abreast of the comings and goings in Gospel music. But life really changed in retirement. After retiring in 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC. His love of Southern Gospel music never waned.
After auditioning with numerous groups in the Carolinas, he began singing solos and worked with the local orchestra playing the Tuba in the 60 piece unit. A Big Band spin off group happened from the orchestra where Duane was the featured vocalist and show emcee. During this time he was approached to sing in a Barbershop Quartet. Later another evolution started with Vocal News Barbershop Quartet. But nothing would take the place of Southern Gospel music.
Seven years ago, Vocal News Barbershop was singing in Jim Stewart’s home church. As with most singers, Duane and Big Jim, original Pine Ridge Boys bass singer, talked about Southern Gospel music. Keep in mind Duane just loves Southern Gospel, so much in fact, he offered to Big Jim Stewart “to fill in if they ever needed someone.” Unbeknownst to Rizzo, the Pine Ridge Boys were starting to look for a singer as their lead singer was leaving. As the saying goes, “the rest is history!” He has been filling in for seven years and loving every moment of it.
Larry Stewart, PRB owner/ manager and bass singer says, “Duane is one of those individuals who is just himself on and off stage. What you see is what you get. He has definitely made a mark with the Pine Ridge Boys.” Larry smiles and says, “And yes, he is our resident Yankee!”
So you would think being retired would allow for a slower pace of life. Not so. Duane is a contract investigator conducting Federal security clearance investigations. He is also a NC certified volleyball official, in addition to his full-time singing. An avid sports fan, you find the Italian retired officer enjoying pasta or a good steak. He is a “Trekkie” and loves sc-fi. Reading a good book or singing a great song, his life has new meaning and new purpose, and it shows.
Duane has two families, of sorts. He is the oldest of five children in the Rizzo family (three sisters and one brother), all still in Buffalo, NY. His son lives in Arlington, VA and is a Civil Engineer in Washington, DC. His second family is music; the Pine Ridge Boys. The closeness and friendship within the group really shines in each performance and there is never a dull moment on the Pine Ridge bus. The friends and those who support the group are special to him; they are part of the Pine Ridge family too.
When you talk to Duane, you find his Christian life’s story is not different than many people. He shares. “Even though I grew up in church, I was rebellious. But I really gave my heart to Christ when I was in Phoenix, AR. I was at a very low point in my life. I just knew deep within, I had to get on my knees and pray for forgiveness. God has been so amazing to me since that day.”
Duane continues, “Today, the most important thing is to continue singing, planting seeds that will bring people to Christ. It is important to me to be used, to be a blessing to Christians with the positive message in our music. As Christians, we need to be uplifted and reminded God has everything in control.”
Duane has come full circle. He is singing the music he loves so dear. His Christian testimony is making an impact with people across America. He is still living the motto he took many years ago, to protect and serve. You can see his smile and know in Duane Rizzo’s life, God had everything under control, just “protect and serve”.
Important links:
www.PineRidgeBoys.com
Duane@PineRidgeBoys.com
By Charlie Griffin