Rich Panessa

Rich Panessa
Genre: Country
Band: Honky Tonk Heroes
Rich Panessa began writing
Country lyrics at the age of 35 in
New York City and still pursues a
published song with distribution.
There have been publishing
contracts and near misses, but the
constant changes in the music
business have meant new
strategies, and a lot of starting over.
In 1989 he won a pair of
Songwriting Achievement Awards
from Billboard Magazine for “A
Second Chance On Love” and
“Willie & Waylon Do” . Inspired by
a song writing symposium held at
New York University in the heart of
Greenich Village and hosted by
BMI’s famed Bobby Weinstein and
Holly Dunn, Rich went on to win
the The Canadian Country Hall of
Fame Songwriting Award for
“Honky Tonk Lies”.
He relocated to St. George with his wife in early 2005, and by September had joined the
Southern Utah Songwriter’s Association and was the overall winner in the 1st Southern
Utah Songwriting Contest held by TSB Records with “After All These Years” . Rich also
made the finals of the 2006 Colgate Country Showdown held in the Dixie Sunbowl with
two more originals, “Blue Collar On” and “Unemployment Blues”.
Rich currently performs with the "Honky Tonk Heroes", a Country Band that plays
classic country, a little bit of country rock, and a drawer full of Panessa tunes.
He continues to play an active role in SUSWA, will collaborate with, or assist anyone
looking for a line or “hook”, and recently joined NSAI to venture another push toward
his goal of that published work with distribution. Rich’s advice to everyone, “ keep on
writing. . . rewriting. . . and never quit ! ”
To book Rich call: 435-656-3177