Ricky Rydell Dillard (born February 25, 1965) is an American gospel musician.
His mother and grandmother imparted to him a love of gospel music, and he was raised in the church singing in the choir at the age of five years, and eventually got the opportunity to direct the youth choir at St. Bethel Baptist Church.
[4] Also in 1984, he graduated from Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
[4] In this genre, he collaborated with notable record producers such as Farley "Jackmaster" Funk on It's You (D.J.
[5] He also worked with deep house pioneer Larry Heard, who was the main producer of Dillard's first album, Let The Music Use You, which was released on Jack Trax in 1989.
15,[7] and was being nominated at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album category.
[7] On October 15, 1996, he released Worked It Out with Crystal Springs Records,[10] and again this would chart on the Top Gospel Albums at No.
[7] Light Records released Keep Living on April 26, 2011,[14] which this charted on the Gospel Albums at No.
[7] He partnered with Entertainment One Music to release, Amazing, on June 10, 2014,[15] and this album charted on The Billboard 200 at No.
[18] Dillard also won Traditional Choir of The Year at the 36th Annual Stellar Awards.
A second single was released, entitled "Behold Christ the Lord", on October 29, 2021, on every music streaming platform.
He was nominated for several Dove Awards and won for "Traditional Gospel Album of the Year".
On September 9th, 2023, Dr. Dillard and New G, his choir, recorded their 13th album in Liberty Township, Ohio, just outside of Cincinnati.
[20] In 2021, at the 36th Annual Stellar Awards, Dr. Dillard earned Traditional Choir of the Year the day before his 12th live recording.