Spotlight on Rick is the eleventh studio album by rock and roll and pop idol Rick Nelson, and his fourth for Decca Records, released on November 23, 1964. One single from the album was "A Happy Guy", debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the issue of the magazine dated November 29, 1964, eventually reaching number 82 during its four-week stay.[1] and number 83 on the Cashbox singles chart.[2]Jimmie Haskell arranged the album and Charles "Bud" Dant produced it.
Richie Unterberger of AllMusic wrote that "Nelson's mid-'60s albums would have seemed like far more respectable efforts had they been able to escape comparison with a fast-changing rock scene. which had some average contributions by above-average writers like Baker Knight and Jerry Fuller. An energetic stab at Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You," and a nice tune from the pen of ex-Cricket Sonny Curtis ("Don't Breathe a Word"), were mild highlights.[4]
Billboard selected the album for a "Spotlight Album" review, and stated Nelson "has a string of hit singles, a network TV Show, good looks and perhaps above all a sound that flips the younger set. His easy-going ballads and delivered in his usual winning style. The Ssngs are teen-grooved, and dealers will seell out this album fast.".[5]
