Pearl River Resident Yaccino Brings Country to Library

Rick Yaccino and his band Rick, Stick, and the Stache performed a free country music concert Sunday at the Pearl River Public Library.

 Yaccino, a Pearl River resident, provided the lead vocals and talked to the audience in between songs. He asked for requests and then shouted to the band the next tune to perform.

Artists covered included Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard. At times, Yaccino encouraged his audience to sing along, which they did enthusiastically.

“They are very talented. It was my first time hearing them and it was just wonderful,” said Bernadette Mchugh of Pearl River. “I would love to see them again.”

Near the close of the concert, Yaccino ended a song with a sustained high note that showcased his impressive vocal range. Following excited applause, a relieved Yaccino said, “I get nervous doing that. I’m never sure what’s going to come out.”  

The band, comprised of guitar, bass, drums, and pedal steel guitar, normally perform locally, but do play in New Jersey and upstate New York on occasion. Yaccino said the band has been together four and a half years.

In addition to country music, Rick, Stick, and the Stache covers classic rock, blues, and music from the big band era.