Ricardo "Rick" Valenzuela moved to Canada at the age of 13 from South America. Born in Santiago, Chile (where he learned to play guitar), he also lived in Peru and Argentina, gaining knowledge of traditional folk music from the Andes.
 
    In Canada, he performed numerous times with his father, Francisco, in Grande Prairie, Ab., where their family lived for over 20 years. Some of the performances include being on CBC's show "on stage" in 1979 at the G.P.R.C. as well as being part of the cast of the "Grande Prairie little theatre" in a few plays and pantomimes. Also being a part of and hosting several "coffee house" venues. One of these gigs was done to fund his trip to Vancouver Island with his school orchestra (he played 2nd Violin). His sister Angelica moved to Canada at a later date, and they formed a 3-piece band: "The Valenzuelas", playing and singing music from South America with original instruments such as the Quena (Indian flute), and Charango, Tiple, Zampognas (pan flute). The trio also played at fundraisers like "Camp Tamarac" and such. The move to Canada also helped Rick enjoy and learn Western cultural music with its vastness of genres.
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    Rick joined a band in Grande Prairie called "The Jagz" around 1995 covering 60s rock and country, playing mostly at the "Alamo" in Sexsmith and sometimes "The Park hotel" in G.P.
Rick moved to Peace River in 1998 after his employer offered him a promotion with the move. He met Vince "Vinny" Gorham around 1999 and soon after that, Rick joined Vinny and Jeff McCann, forming a 3-piece band called "Chantz". After a few months, Vinny and Rick formed a new band that became "Kikbak" with Hooch and Garett.
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    Rick loves performing with this talented group of friends that make up Kikbak. He says: "The fact that all the members can do lead vocals gives us great versatility" and the whole band is "fun to be with".