Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Phoenix Manzo.
Hi Rick Phoenix, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Rick Phoenix Manzo is a melodic hard rock singer-songwriter-guitarist from Mercedes, Texas (South Texas). Former bands he has been known from are Orions legacy, Drain of life, Faultered State, Fates Armada and his main band A day of ashes (2007 – 2014) which released their debut CD titled Turmoil in 2009.
At the moment, Rick Phoenix is currently working on his 2026 solo album under “I, Beyond Scars”. Rick also has been a writer for RG vision magazine, Beyond Arts magazine and Mid-valley town crier from South Texas. He is the host of the Rockland Revolution podcast, which features the local music scene, national touring acts, guitar reviews and more. The show is back in fall of 2026.
He has a production company named Break the silence productions (started in 2005) who recently did Rock relief 2021, a benefit concert for his uncle that had stage 4 cancer. Has raised money for the American red cross to help people in times of need.
Starting to write new music, plans for touring in late 2026 -27 are in the works. After only 5 years of playing guitar, he has his first endorsement with acoustik attak picks. “These guitar picks are definitely a game changer.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Actually it’s been a rollercoaster ride, becoming a father in 2008, changed my life. I want to credit my daughter for coming into my life because it did slow down the road and the track that I was on which was faster paced and and I wanted to say this change definitely saved my life at that time.
Present day now 6 years sober everything has changed for the better. There were times in my life that I almost died because of addiction. One crazy car crash hanging out of my car by a river Creek was the scariest. Then I met my beautiful, caring wife. I decided to cut alcohol, drugs and cigarettes out of our lives. Like I said everything has changed for the better, I am now playing guitar which I started because of my uncle having stage 4 cancer and asking for help to help pay the bills or chemotherapy. I put a big show together and started rehearsing with my wife on an acoustic since I had no band. Fast forward almost 6 years later to present day and now I have a guitar pick endorsement with acoustiik attak picks. I’m the host for Rockland revolution podcast and most importantly a Husband and Father of 2 college kids.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Husband/ Father/Pug Dad/Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist/podcast host of Rockland revolution/Actor/Writer/Show promoter
I think I’m known for many things but what I’m most proud of is probably the charity work that I do and have done for the American Red Cross more for cancer. I’ve never taken a dime it has always gone towards the cause and I love that the community can come together and put in their time and efforts on the stage for a great cause. I’ve always felt that if you have a platform to help out others in a positive way you can do this you should always return the favor. Mine started when I was young the American Red Cross had helped us after our apartment had run down and put us up in a hotel room and I always said I would try to help people in need if I could. This all started in 2005 when Rita and Katrina head and we did a big show 20 bands two stages and made over $6,000 for the American Red Cross.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Well one thing would definitely be to always be confident in yourself and just talk to people. You never know who you’re going to meet.
Same advice I was telling my son the other day about finding a first job.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @officialrickphoenix
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Rocklandrevolution
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rocklandrevolution2139
