January 15, 2023
I am heartbroken to let you know that my husband Rick passed away on January 14th, 2023. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of art and music. He and I found each other in music and it was our language together for 23 years. Our music has been a chronicle of our love and life together and I will miss him more than I could ever express. We completed an album of new material in 2022 and I do hope that one day, you can hear it. In the meantime, keep him in your heart, look at his beautiful paintings, listen to our music. Thank you for being on the journey with us.
“And I need you to know, I will be forever Grateful to you”. ~ Michele
Rick and Michele Gedney, known as the duo, Open Book, have been writing, recording, and performing together since 2000. Their original music features melody invention and vocal harmonies backed by a tapestry of interweaving guitars.
Open Book has released five albums which have received national airplay and critical acclaim. In addition to performing concerts, writing and recording, Rick and Michele have been honored to be founders and teachers at Dar Williams' retreat called Writing a Song That Matters. The retreat, started in 2013, occurs twice a year in person and once per year virtually.
Their song "Go” has been released by Cry Cry Cry on their album, “Live at the Freight” (2020). All proceeds from this album will be donated to Live Music Society, to help sustain and rebuild venues for live music.
Open Book are the winners of the 2017 Connecticut Folk Festival 'Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition'.
Open Book has shared the stage and recorded with many amazing musicians:
Al Hemberger - Billy Masters - Buddy and Julie Miller - Christine Lavin - Dan Bonis - Daniel Weiss - Dar Williams - Doug Yowell - Ellis Paul - Freedy Johnston - Ian Matthews - Jay Nicholas - Jeff Allen - Joe Crookston - John Sebastion - Jon Pousette Dart - Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman - KJ Denhert Lucy Kaplansky - Lincoln Schleiffer - Livingston Taylor Marco Giovino - Mark Murphy - Marc VonEm - Mark Dann - Martin Sexton - Michael Visceglia - Mike LaRocco Modern Man - Pete Heitzman - Radislov Lorcovic - Richard Shindell - Rob Clores - Rob Mathes - Sara Milonovich - Sharon Goldman - Shawn Pelton - Sloan Wainwright - Stacy Earle Steve Hass - The KennedysThe Levins - Terence Martin - Tom Camp - Will Lee - Zev Katz and many others
Click here for all Press Quotes
Concert @ Tompkins Corners Cultural Center……Photo: Ross Corsair
Playing Morrissey Guitars at the 2017 Woodstock Luthier's Conference