Rick Shortt began a professional playing career at the age of 12 when he met the Blues master Norman Jackson and became his protege.  It was during this time that Rick developed the wild showmanship that gained him the moniker "the Madman of the Blues".  He expands the stage and draws the audience in as part of the show with his unpredictable antics (including playing behind his back and doing acrobatics while playing) and tongue in cheek humor.

Rick studied at Missouri State University as a Music Education Major while continuing to tour with various bands.  In 2012, Rick rejoined the Norman Jackson Band as a dual front man with his mentor, Norman Jackson.  Taking the unusual role as lead player in a Blues band (as opposed to typical lead guitar), Rick contrasts his playing from furious to subtle, setting different moods throughout each performance.  He pushes boundaries by adopting styles from Blues guitar and harmonica legends while never abandoning the studying of saxophone masters such as King Curtis and Junior Walker.

In 2016, the Norman Jackson Band was named the #3 Blues band in the world at the International Blues Challenge hosted by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee.  Since that time, the band has toured across America, Europe, Korea, and Malaysia.  Throughout his lifelong journey playing the Blues, Rick continues with the goal of using music and showmanship to take people away from the struggles of daily life and smile.