Drummer Rick Vanaugh was so sure he wanted to make country music an integral component of his life that he went on the road to pursue his dream right after he finished high school. During the mid-'70s, he settled in Nashville where he found work with traditional country singer Charlie Louvin. More jobs with high-profile artists followed, including playing for Kitty Wells, one of the first women to achieve stardom in the country music market. An evening of jamming resulted in Vanaugh getting work with singing partners Jeannie Seely and Jack Greene, and from there he spent a few years playing for Mel Tillis and Dottie West. Vanaugh also had the opportunity to play in a band with steel guitar player Buddy Emmons and premier session guitarist Phil Baugh in 1986. Gigs followed on television's #Church Street Station and #New Country programs for TNN. The drummer started a five-year stint with Lorrie Morgan in 1989. He has also played with Cajun country artist Jimmy C. Newman at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1998, Vanaugh joined the Time Jumpers, a Nashville-based, nine-member Western swing group that consists primarily of session singers and musicians. Vanaugh played his drums on the band's debut album, On the Air. ~ Linda Seida, Rovi