"Most of the 15 (plus an intro by Tommy Overstreet and a hidden track) songs are written by Rick and Jan. This CD is traditional country all the way. I especially like "Etchings In Stone", "White Lace & Flowers", "Den Of Sin", Mexican-influenced "Farewell Amarillo" that his good friend T. Overstreet wrote, "Country Music Station" and "You Got The One I Wanted". Also the ending, "Precious Memories", with the bagpipes is good. A traditional country-CD from an singer that deserves to be heard. - 4 Hats."

Reviewed by Marcus Thell, Smalands Country Club

"Well Buddy, how does it feel to be surrounded by angels (angels who can sing like that)?

Deva has a wonderful range…..reminds me some of Patsy Cline but with a style all her own. "What A Fool You are for Loving Me" is a classic right of the box.

And your wife, Man, you might have had some bad luck, but thank God for her. Jan's grin (on the cover) dances all the way across Texas to New Mexico. One solid old country gal. "Hate the Sin" (But Don't Hate the Sinner) is right on."

Taken from a letter dated March 8, 2004 to Rick Sikes from Kell Robertson.

Rick made an appearance at the grand opening of Riversounds Recording Studio on the Llano river at Castell, Texas and while there was honored with the 2003 Special Recognition Achievement Award from the West Texas Music Hall of Fame. Sid Holmes, President and Founder of the organization said:

"You hung in there when most people would have thrown in the towel, given up completely. Instead, you picked up the pieces, persevering through the years and overcoming all odds. You are a great example for all of us to look up to. The Special Recognition Awards are only given to deserving people like you, and we are glad it means something to you. I feel sure a lot of your strength has come from Jan. You guys are cool, to say the least!"

"Etchings In Stone" is a wonderful showcase of 16 FANTASTIC country ballads. What I hear are memories of the great Hank Williams Sr. Honest, no-frills country! From the opener of an intro by Tommy Overstreet to the super background vocals of Jan Sikes and the amazing musicianship of the players, you will be treated to a one-of-a-kind-performance. "Half As Much As Me", "Crying With The Blues", "Off And On", "I Cried Some" and "Country Music Station" are a few of the SPECIAL cuts I am sure will impress radio DJs and listeners. We will be happy to send it out for airplay...

E.H. King, E.H. King Music, BMI, Country Western Music Magazine.

I was first introduced to Rick Sikes and this album through a phone call from my good friend, Tommy Overstreet. He told me something of Rick’s life and the background of “Etchings In Stone”.  Before calling Rick, I learned a great deal more through his bio on his website. While not easily impressed, I was  nearly floored by the depth, content and impact of his co-written title song. Although you’ll hear it on this album, it bears repeating and reads in part like this: “There once lived a man who did etchings in stone-he told others’ stories, but could not tell his own. Maybe that of a friend, or someone he’d known; chiseled straight from his heart were the etchings in stone”.

Now those are the kinds of lines my friends, that poets rarely find;
as they search through the notes, and the things they wrote-
on the Walls of the Tunnel of Time.
Some will survive to be later revived, in a book or a film or a song.
Like a ledger of tears we maintained through the years…
to be opened before we are gone.

So Rick, for what it’s worth, the above is how I see the album. You’ve had the courage and the talent to assemble your thoughts in one place, and to share them with the rest of us. Yes…you sing about your own feelings, but you are also telling my story and millions of others. Although many of these were perhaps written by candlelight in a dark frame of mind, something else comes shining through: those things are faith in God, love, hope, charity, forgiveness, caring, family and all those other things we hold so near and dear to our hearts. You tend to walk us through the rain at times…but only so we can feel and appreciate the warmth of the sunshine.

And thank you Rick, for paying Tommy and me such a fine compliment by letting us participate. We are no different than most songwriters, in that we hope for those projects that have substance, depth and longevity. This album is both spun in gold and Etched In Stone.

Your Friend and Fan,

Dale Vest, Songwriter

..
Home About Rick Sikes About RiJan Photo Album
Available CDs Reviews Favorite Links Contact Us
..