After doing some small movie roles Ricky decided to give a try at singing. The nation got heir first hear of his voice on episode of "The Adventures..." in 1957. Requests for the single were outstanding, and "I'm Walkin" reached #17 and on the flip side, "Teenagers Romance", #2. From there things just progressed.

Ricky's singing carried on strong to the end of the fifties, through the sixties, right into the seventies and still did heavy touring in the eighties. Throughout this time Ricky recorded true classics like "Lonesome Town," Poor Little Fool," "Never Be Anyone else," Hello Marylou," "Garden Party," and a many others. Rick also found and married his love the daughter of football legend Tom Harmon, Kristin in 1963. The two had four children, actress Tracy Nelson, Rock duo Nelson, Mat and Gunner.

Sadly, during a tour in 1985 Ricky was killed in a plane crash but he will never be forgotten.

Today his sons, Gunner and Matthew, keep the music in the family alive. Both Ozzie And Harriet have passed.