NAVARRE — Before Ricky Lee Phelps left the music business for good he was in not one, but two successful bands, released chart-topping songs and had a handful of awards — including a Grammy.
But he wasn’t entirely satisfied.
"I loved performing, but everything else connected to it...not so much," he said.
More than 20 years ago, Ricky Lee left the music business and found himself in Navarre in 2002 where he continues to play, paint and, now, preach.
"I married my best friend, who lived here, and made my escape from Nashville," he said.
From the church to the charts
Growing up in Kentucky, Ricky Lee’s singing career started in the choir. His dad was the pastor at the local church.
"When I was about 5-years-old, I knew it was something that I wanted to keep doing," he said.
Fast forward to the mid-1980s, when Ricky Lee was jamming with his brother Doug’s band, The Kentucky Headhunters.
"It was one of those ‘Bam!’ moments," he recalled.
The Headhunters labeled themselves as more of a rock and roll band, but had found major success in the country realm, winning statues at the Country Music Awards, Academy of Country Musicand American Music Awards.
In 1990, the band won the Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for the album "Pickin’ on Nashville."
"It’s the one — it’s the one everyone wants because it’s voted on by your peers," Ricky Lee said.
Answering the call
Ricky Lee remembers the day he quit the Headhunters — June 2, 1992.
He and his brother Doug started their own music project, Brother Phelps. Together they released two albums and had a Top 10 hit, "Let Go" in 1993.
Around this time, Ricky Lee felt a calling toward ministry.
"I had achieved above and beyond my dreams of success," he said. "Following in my dad’s footsteps and carrying that mantle is the highest call on earth."
He recorded a Christian album at his home studio in Nashville and started to visit churches in the area sharing his story. Ten years ago he became ordained.
In Navarre, he hosts a small ministry — Word and Grace — which holds Wednesday night Bible study inside the Navarre Area Board of Realtors’ conference room. The church is non-denominational and is meant to be a "come as you are" environment.
‘Grown deep roots here’
Ricky Lee may have quit the music business, but not music.
You can catch him most weekends playing bass and singing with Lektric Mullet. He’s also working on another Christian album at his home studio.
He still gets royalty checks from his Headhunter days. Every now and then, he’ll catch the band if they’re playing nearby and get on stage to sing some songs.
But he’s long since traded his long rock and roll hair for a Hawaiian print shirt.
"I’ve grown deep roots here in Navarre," Ricky Lee said. "And I’ve never been happier."
WORSHIP WITH WORD AND GRACE
Ricky Lee's ministry meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Navarre Area Board of Realtors building, located at 1917 Navarre School Rd. Anyone is welcome to stop in.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Jennie McKeon at 850-315-4432 or jmckeon@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @JennieMnwfdn.