You enrich a lot of lives Rick

Think about how odd this is: A video tribute to an anonymous gentleman works beautifully within a channel about music. Maybe that's the key to Rick's success... it's not just about instruction or appreciation. This channel makes us feel like we're all part of the same musical family. Me, you, Sting, Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, his friend Peter - just a bunch of friends talking the same language of notes, chords, melody lines, and solos. A lot of you mention Rick's quality of not talking down to his audience. That's because he's talking with us, not at us. I doubt any of us knew Peter Smart, but in this club of musical friends it feels like we lost one of our family members. RIP...

A wise old man is a gift to humankind. “Youth is wasted on the young” is a quote I have often heard from my 90 year old father. I’m sorry for your loss Rick. This brought a tear to my eye.

I lost my 29 years old son in a motorcycle accident about 18 months ago. It was the hardest thing I have ever experienced. There are no words to explain the grief that my wife and I experienced, and still do to this day. He left behind two small children, who have become so much more than just grandchildren to us now. They are our connection to him that we treasure.... About 8 months ago I was watching You Tube videos feeling pretty down. They were music related videos, songs, guitar videos, concert footage. That was when I decided to learn to play guitar. I have always had a deep love for music but never went further than being an enthusiastic listener. I realized that night that you only live once - make the most of it. Why not learn to play guitar? Noone knows how long you have on this earth, so make it count. Since then, I now have three guitars and I play every day. I'll never be good, I know that. At 53 years old just starting to learn I don't expect much, but I have learned a very important lesson in life, and that is treasure every moment. Rick, thank you for posting this video. It means a lot. Music is truly the voice of the soul.

Rick, that was a lovely tribute to a good man. I recently lost my 82 year old father to cancer, so this struck a chord. You’re a great musician, but your success is mainly due to the fact that you’re such a genuinely likable and warm human being. Not enough of those in the public domain and social media today. Thank you, Rick, and I’m sorry to hear about your friend.

The world needs more people like Rick and Peter.

This video has done Peter proud. A guy whose clear warmth was confined only to those who met him is now saved in posterity and Peter Smart no longer just belongs to small town U.K., but you’ve given him to the World. As sad and as painful as loss is, you’ve given him, his family and the world a gift I’ve always believed that we may never change the world, but we can change the world for one person. If we do that, we’ve not wasted a single breath or a single step. Peter has done this You have done this

This is a perfect example of success through authenticity and service. Rick is such a class act. He spoke with this fan at 38,000 subscribers with intention of connection first, befriended him because they both love music, and then has this beautiful story to share with us. This channel is amazing.

You enrich a lot of lives Rick. Most of us don't get Peter's chance to tell you. Thank you for caring.

Hey Rick, I’m 17 and music has been my passion for more than half my life. I’m the age of the internet you can find both completely useless information but also, if you’re lucky you might come across a channel like yours. The things you teach on this channel impact more people in more amazing ways than you could know. Genuinely from the bottom of my heart. Thank you Rick. You’re an inspiration to many and your words are going to bless the art we create.

Rick, you’re a thoughtful and gracious person. The world could use more people like you.

Dude, I'm only 71. Your musical acumen and respect is shared in my soul. Onward.

My respect has peaked . You are not only a great resource for musicians. But also a dignified humanitarian.

I don't know if there would be any other influencer ever doing such a sincere tribute to a fan. It takes an extraordinary soul. RIP Peter. And salutes Mr.Beato

At 41 years young I’m now noticing the slowly increasing frequency with which my elders are passing on… and I’m finding it incredibly difficult to come to terms with the new status quo. Looks like its not going to get any easier. Thank you for sharing, Rick. I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend. RIP Peter, my condolences to your family and loved ones.

I don't post anything on here. I have a rollercoaster musical life touring Europe while living in Norway. I've been in the music game for over 30 years and seen its changed. Worked for Sony Ireland before the BMG tie. Watching what you do Rick brings a sense there is still hope for music (rather than the autotune rubbish) Your genuine mannerisms are such a compliment to your wealth of experience in life and your chosen career. This brought tears and I lost two heros, my grandfather (famous Irish Painter) and mother who brought music into my life and taught me lessons on the dance of life. Your perseverances I salute and leave you with this from a line in a song I wrote. "And as time goes by and people change. At least I won't have left an empty page". Please keep doing what you do. It's truly beautiful in every way. Eli

My husband passed away unexpectedly just a few days after Peter. Your Seattle show was the last “concert” we went to together. I’m glad you could have that friendship with Peter. You really do brighten the lives of so many people.

I don't ever leave likes on videos, but I left a like on this. I didn't know the man, but that made me choke up a little. I'm sure we're all familiar with the pain of loss. Sorry for your loss, Rick, and prayers to Peter's family.

For all of its drawbacks, the constructive power of the internet is striking. Thank you, Rick, for sharing so much about your wonderful friend.

Having survived a massive heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery in 2017, this really hits home, I got a second chance to live, should I expire anytime soon, I would hope someone would grace my memory with a lovely and heart felt memorial as you have done for your dear friend Peter Smart. Very touching and deeply caring, the world needs more people like you.

My father passed away from a sudden heart attack a bit over a week ago. This video was a hard watch.. but it's inspiring to see humans in this light none the less. You're a good man Rick. I'm sorry for your loss brotha

Rick, What a beautiful tribute to your friend Peter Smart. I’m 76 and started my love of music at an early age. I’m a closet guitarists. I suffer from red light fright. I have played everyday for 68 years. Alone in my office or family room I have tried to better my skills. Ten years ago my wife and I moved into a new home. Our next door neighbors are the age of my children. One evening Rob brought out his guitar. My wife said David plays. Next thing I know I’m playing with someone in front of people. I’m singing songs the young people have never heard. I grew up with the best of music. I had an argument with my 97 year old Mother regarding Rap. I said I don’t like Rap. Her response was you haven’t heard good Rap. My Mother played her baby grand everyday. The month before she passed I stopped to visit. I asked her to play for me. She jumped up to the piano. She looked at the keys and said I don’t know what to play. I said Mom play scales, knowing she had done this daily. She started to cry. I don’t know how. Thirty days laters she passed. Her loss of music was the end. Today I’m in stage four cancer and the value of music keeps me going. I’m not very good but still having fun after all these years. Watching on KZfaq you, Mary, Paul David, and others continue to bring joy into my life. Thank you for your contribution to music. I hope I will someday meet you at the NAMM. Thank you, David Willey

I haven't the foggiest idea how this video came to be suggested to me. I'm sitting here crying. Little things told me to keep listening. Peter was born in 1930, the same year as my father was born. Peter passed on August 20th, my birthday. Like a whisper - "listen". I don't seek musicians out, but I'm learning to listen when they speak. I could not begin to explain all the things that brought forth this idea in me - learning to sing acappella in church as a kid; a novel I read; my mother's intimate relationship with the Word of God in the six weeks between her first stroke and her death; Mozart's last Requiem ("call me among the blessed"), none of it being as spectacular or pretentious as it must sound. But the thought was that if God spoke us into being, then it was the vibration of His voice that breathed life into everything. He could take a lump of clay and turn it into the sound waves of His voice. Meaning we are God's music. That is why musicians and singers - the wise men and women who study these vibrations - can make even those of us who feel like lumps of clay remember that we were spoken into being. It's a thought anyway. My father passed on August 7, 2020. He was a hard man who had forgotten who I was by the time he died. So there was no last loving moment or reconciliation. He wasn't like Peter or even Rick. But in a better time, Daddy did introduce me to "How Great Thou Art" in 4-part harmony. He introduced me to Bing Crosby, Perry Como, John Denver, Lawrence Welk, and Hee Haw on Saturday nights. Plus letting my brother and I play one side of a Beach Boys album on our record player as we lay in our beds trying to go to sleep. It wasn't a bad start to understanding that music is part of everything. And so now, because this video popped up in my feed, I've shared part of my grief journey on unsuspecting people. I'm sorry, Rick, for the loss of your friend. As a little lump of clay who needed some reminders, thank you to you and all of your followers who help make it possible for you to be here. xo c

Thanks Rick for a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to an amazing life. I've worked in cardiology about 19 years. A heart attack is life changing at any age. It also changes the lives of those around the patient, regardless of outcome. It's so easy for us to take the next day, year for granted. I'm grateful to work in a field that constantly reminds me to savor the moment!

It's honorable of you, Rick, to publicly acknowledge the passing of your friend Peter and to pay tribute to him in this way. Well done. It says a lot about both you and Peter, who sounds like a great guy to have had as a friend. My condolences to you and Peter's family. Carpe diem, everyone.

this video really sums up what this Channel is all about. We study music, decode songs, learn about scales - but at the end of the day, this is a music appreciation channel, and music does to us what it does best: bring us together. it creates bonds and friendship. I’m happy that Rick is willing to open up about this relation he had with Peter, because it shows us the outcome of music. my condolences.

I’d like to posthumously praise.Peter for his excellent work and life ethic. I’m nearing life’s completion too and appreciate every new day. A major stroke and sub-dermal hematoma has left me in comfortably healthy but cerebraly challenged and unable to perform the jobs I’d looked forward to in retirement. I take my brain food and look forward for improvement while working on easier projects. Thank you Peter for reminding us to keep living with gusto.

One of the nicest and heartfelt, truly heartfelt, tributes I have had the pleasure to listen to. Well done, my friend. Well done.

What a beautiful tribute. What separates your channel from so many others isnt just the breadth of your intellect and your heartfelt enthusiasm, but your humanity. Which, after all, is the essence of great music. Well done, Rick. And my deepest sympathy for your loss.

Rick: One of the reasons your many followers love you and your channel is encapsulated in this video. Not only are you a superior musician, teacher, and interviewer, your humanity and humility show through. You mean something to people and you make a difference in the often difficult, but fulfilling, world of music. For you, Music seems to be a journey-as it obviously was to Peter Smart-not a race. A marathon, not a sprint. Thank you.

There are so many great musicians that will never be recognized or heard. The most important thing is the music. Thank you for recognizing this man and his family.

Man, what a wonder tribute. Your kind words and the sharing of you and Peter’s brief relationship is deeply touching. Thank you for what you do for the community.

Beautiful tribute, Rick. At 80 years old, my Dad lost the love of his life, my mom. They were married for over 50 years. At 81 years old, my father picked up a guitar for the first time and he so enjoyed tinkering with it. He also discovered that he loved painting. He asked me one day "Why don't you play anymore?" I told him, "I'm really busy with work." He said, "You should be playing music and making more art." "Life is short, son". Little did I know that he'd lose his life to COVID-19 back in July of 2020. After he passed away, I decided to form a band, in honor of my father. We're called The Ticking Clocks. It's a reminder that time is precious. We have two songs being released this Friday. I know my Dad is looking down from Heaven, smiling... - Manny

Rick so sorry you lost your friend. RIP Peter.

Thank you for sharing this great tribute. Goes to show kindness deff goes along way. Thank you for all you do!

Good on you Rick for not only maintaining your humanity while practicing social media-an art lost on most.🌿

That brought a tear to my eye, I remember when you first mentioned Peter - I loved that with him being in the UK like myself you two had a friendship through your generosity with your book and a shared love of music. At 91 he lived an amazingly long life through amazing times, I'm 53 and have been stage 4 for two years now. Life sometimes isn't as long as we'd like it to be, but I've found your channel a real comfort and it's heartwarming that Peter and his family actually know you. And heartwarming you shared your news with your community.

RIP Peter. He really seemed like the kind of person that doesn’t come around often. Sorry for your loss, Rick. At least you had the chance to be friends with such a great person.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to sharing your music 🎶 🎵 ❤ 💜 RIP Peter

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and moving story Rick!

Dear Rick: This video is a lovely lovely tribute to your friend and his family will be very thankfull for your words. Another thing i´d like to tell you is that , as humble as you are, you don´t have the slighest idea of what an impact your work has on us, your suscribers. Being a simple music teacher in Argentina, I encourage my students to use your channel as a source of inspiration and knowledge. Sorry for your loss. Big hug

We're your extended family, Rick. If it affects you, it affects us. This was heartfelt enough to bring tears to my eyes as I could see the hurt in yours. Please remember that proportionate to the depth of pain we feel when we lose a loved one, so too is the length, width, breadth and depth of love we held for them in life. You're a good man as was your friend Peter. Rest easy, Sir.

Well done Rick, beautiful and touching, God bless

A very nice tribute to a good friend. Proves music bonds generations. Thank you for sharing.

Your channel is a must for all of us. Not just the musicians, but for all of us who revere respect, courtesy and just common decency. All of us who have hearts that are full of love and kindness.. It is clear , this is who you are. Thank you.

I’m 66. When I was 18 I went down an insane white water river with an instructor in a two man kayak. I asked him what the secret was to staying upright. His reply was ‘Just keep paddling hard’. True about kayaking. True about life. Curiosity and life long learning are the things that make tomorrow look better than today. Good on ya RB and good on ya Peter. RIP.

Thank you so much for sharing this story of your friendship, and loss, of a great friend. RIP Peter

Your channel is always so real. Thank you for sharing this tale of your friendship.

Well… I didn’t expect to be crying this afternoon, but here I am. What a lovely tribute to your friend.

Ok, now I'm cryin'. 62 year old man moved and touch by this Rick. Thank you for this. And thank you for all you do for us all out here. Peace and love, Kevin Shalom

That was a very sweet and heartfelt tribute to Peter. Well said, Rick Beato! ❤️🙏🏻

That brought me to tears! My late condolences and thank You for sharing that beautiful story!

My girlfriend often jokingly calls me "heartless" because I do rarely cry, but my God this got me. Beautiful tribute Rick. Sorry to hear about losing your friend.

Rick Beato: American treasure. You’re ALL our best friend. Salute.

You’re killing me, Rick. You’re goddamn killing me. I’m sitting here bawling my eyes out. Who knew that in that Italian badass lived such a tender heart! God keep blessing you, youngster. You’re a gem.

So much love in this video, deep affection and respect, the beauty of humanity, our love and passion for music. Rick you always, always nail it. Thank you.

Rick, I just subscribed to your channel. I am not a guitar player or musician of any kind. I watch your videos because I love listening to music and love your "What Makes This Song Great" series. I have been watching them for a number of months now. What a lovely tribute to your friend Peter. I was in tears. I am 66 and lost my wife 5 years ago to cancer. When someone we love leaves us the emptiness is unimaginable. The grief is constant. You learn to live with it. What you have done for Peter and his family is one of the greatest gifts you can give, friendship. Well done Rick.

Man, I'm up at 3:45 am watching this. I write eulogies as part of my job as a speechwriter, and Rick, you did everything a eulogy should do. You shared your love for a dear friend. Good friends are hard to find, and I'm glad you found one in Peter. Ultimately, as you know, it's not how many chords you know or if you have the fanciest devices. It's the love you have between others. Carry on, rock on, and keep spreading great ideas about music.

What a heartfelt and authentic tribute. Thanks Rick! It helps me to recognize our sincere connections to each other through our music.

Thank you for sharing such a personal and beautiful story with us. Rest in perfect peace Peter.

A fine man describing a fine man who touched his life. RIP Peter.

I just lost my Dad , he was 99 and 7 months, loved music, played piano and sang with His Barbershop Choir right up to 5 months before he died. This was such a lovely tribute to an obviously lovely man . Thank you Rick and the family. ❤

Your tribute to Peter is so kind. We would all be blessed to have one friend like you. Thank you for all you do to bring music of our lives to new generations.

Thank you for sharing your touching friendship with such a fan of music and guitar! My condolences to you and Peter's family! Love you channel and looking forward to 2023! Cheers!

RIP Peter, the world needs more people like you.

That was a truly moving tribute to your dear friend. I’m sorry for your loss Mr. Beato.

What a beautiful and moving tribute. Peter sounds like he was an amazing gentleman who enjoyed living, loving and sharing his love of all things music. Thank you Rick for sharing this touching message about Peter and convey to his family that without having met him there are so many of us who follow your channel who are now blessed in some small way just by learning about this remarkable man of music. 🎶R.I.P. Peter 🎶

GREAT show Rick..... and thank you for sharing that story!

Being a good human trumps being a good musician any day. Being great at both is truly a gift that is to be treasured. Beautiful post. You’re a rare breed Rick. And my condolences to Peter and his family. It sounds like he had a life well lived.

Hard to imagine most youtubers being this affected by the passing of one of their subscribers. Hell, it's hard to imagine most youtubers even forming such a bond of friendship with a subscriber in the first place. You're one of the real ones, Rick. And it sounds like Peter was a great guy too.

Thank you for sharing this touching story.

Just beautiful. How lucky we are to be able to share our lives and our humanity so easily and naturally through music. RIP Peter. Thank you for your lovely words, Rick.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Rick. He was clearly a special and impressive man. I hope your memories are a comfort.

What an amazing tribute to your friend. Sorry for your loss, Rick.

So sorry for your loss Rick, there are tears in my eyes listening to your tribute. Thank you for all you do with your channel - its the first thing I look at for inspiration or as a pick me up. God bless you and Peter

Souls touching souls… that’s the beauty of music. Thank you for sharing your beautiful friendship with Mr. Peter🌹

Age has no barrier in music, improvised music, painting sculpture. all the Arts. Art Blakey once said 'don't look back' keep moving forward live in the moment, because . if you can do that, loving what you do then 'Yours is the world and everything that's in it.' -- Kipling.

So sorry for your loss , Rick . Your love and vulnerability makes this not just a channel , but a community . You’ve reminded us all of the “social” part of social media.

Thank you for bringing us music, plus wonderful stories of other musicians, like Peter Smart. Keep well and God Bless you, Rick! 😇

Hi Rick, first let me jut say RIP and Glory Peter and Claire! What a beautiful tribute to an awesome person you came to meet late in his life but nonetheless so rewarding and fulfilling as many of our true friendships we’ve had for a whole lifetime! All those years packed into just a few! You are definitely blessed to have known Peter! Thank you for making this video, Rick, I’ve been going through some tough times lately! I’m a 70 yr old widow, flower child of the sixties who attended the Woodstock Music and Art Festival in August of 1969. This has kind of restored my faith in humanity! I needed to hear this! Glad I found your channel! New subscriber! With friendship and appreciation, Cathyl❤☮️🕊

Rick, I have no words. I just sang at my cousin's funeral, couple hours ago. You're words were moving because they were from the heart. It was beautifully apparent, how deep and real your friendship was. God bless you, and continued success and joy through the magic of music.

Recently lost my dad last year who I took care of for over a decade. He was a 100% disabled Vietnam veteran. And I’m a 46 year old uS Navy Officer and Chaplain and found this channel last year when my dad passed and it has been a real saving grace for me. I’m a lefty guitarist and love the guitar and love this channel. God bless you and the channel.

Thank you for sharing this heartfelt tribute to your friend, Peter. I am blessed with a friend who is in her 80's, a pianist and teacher, who has been such a great influence on my life, with the example she sets as a person and as a musican. I am sorry for your loss.

I’m not a fan of jazz, but your video just showed up in my feed. Your tribute was so moving and what I needed to hear at the moment. It is a beautiful memorial and life affirming. Thank you.

Dear Rick, he’s not the only one you have touched and inspired. I think I speak for a lot of us subscribers, you make us feel like part of the family. Thank you! Keep doing what you’re doing! Harold

You're a class act Rick. May we all find a friend that means as much as Peter did to you.

Wonderful tribute and a moving story about friendship and how music can really bond people in mutual respect and understanding.

You’re a good man Rick Beato. I too lost a very good friend/musician two weeks ago. Your eulogy paralleled what I would say about my friend Colin. Thank you for posting this; it helped. Very sorry for your loss.

Who isn’t shedding a tear to that, rest in peace Peter. Rick being a class act as always 🤘🏼

RIP Peter. What an inspiring gentleman. I'm very sorry for your loss

Connection to others is a gift that is very powerful. Awesome tribute. It truly is remarkable who we meet in our individual journey. So glad you two shared this special bond. God blessed you both.

This is so beautiful, you were both lucky to have found each other and have had the time you had together Thank you so much for sharing this heartwarming story

What a beautiful tribute to your friend. While we sometimes decry the technology that surrounds us, it's undeniable that technology allowed you to make a close connection to Peter. Sorry for your loss.

I'm two minutes into this video and I think I know where this is going. It is inevitable, but is always hard to come to terms with. Our condolences, Rick. No matter how old they are, the friends and family we lose always stun us.

Sorry for your loss Rick. I just subscribed to your channel I love your take on music and it's nice to see you break it all down for all of us music lovers. RIP Peter 🙏🙏

Great video Rick, thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Music transcends all things. Wishing you peace. God Bless to you Rick

Huge respect, Rick. Honoring your friend this way and being this genuine. My condolences.

What a beautiful example of how wonderful the internet can be. Such a touching tribute, Rick. May the years of friendship be held dear.

Kindness, dignity, humanity, humility a real musician and presenting a great channel. Thank you Rick, I've only recently found you on KZfaq but really enjoy your wide range of guests, great insight on the music and boundless enthusiasm John Reeves - England

Thank you, Rick, for such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a wonderful friend. You brought me to tears. No matter how difficult it is to say goodbye to such friends, we must keep ourselves tender to such loss. Compassion comes from these experiences. Blessings to you.