Rick Hirsch Belongs on Mobile Music's Mount Rushmore

Mobile has always had great music, but few bands are bigger in the city’s musical history than Wet Willie. In this episode, Eric Erdman sits down with one of the band’s founding members to hear how an unexpected phone call helped launch a remarkable career. What was supposed to be a two-week gig in Panama City brought together five musicians who barely knew one another—including a young blues guitarist who showed up to rehearsal with no amp, no guitar case, and a piece of rope for a guitar strap. This new, young band went from playing covers to suddenly needing original songs of their own, writing for the powerhouse lead singer and finding the sound that would become Wet Willie. Before long, they moved to Macon, Georgia, became the second band signed to Capricorn Records, and took their place in Southern rock history But this is also a story about coming home. After a long and successful career, Rick returned to Mobile and started Studio H2O, creating a place where local musicians can make records without leaving town. With the help of Catt Sirten, he also reconnected with Mobile’s live music scene and discovered a new generation of artists carrying the tradition forward. As Rick puts it, Mobile musicians are always coming up with music that is “just astoundingly great.”