The Refugees are a group of seasoned musicians who love the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and do our best to recreate the great songs they have performed over the years. If the Heartbreakers aren't on tour, we're the next best thing!
Rick da Motta (who picked up the guitar at age 12-13) grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula and like most guitarists of his generation was bitten by the music bug once he
heard the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. So much great music came out of the 60's and great guitarists as well, like
Hendrix, Clapton, and Page.....all of whom influenced Rick's playing. He also lists Mark Knopfler, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Carlos Santana among his favorites. Rick has studied, and continues to study, many styles of guitar from rock, to blues, to country, to jazz, and classical guitar.
