Rick Snelson

We are sad to announce our dear friend Rick Snelson lost his battle with cancer. Rick was the driving force behind Play It Forward SWMO. Rick saw the vision of Play It Forward and recruited our good friend Ruell Chappell to head up PIF-SWMO. Kids in Springfield receive instruments because of Rick’s ability to serve his community.

Rick was the founding advisory board member of Play it Forward of Southwest MO. He was involved with music indirectly for most of his life. He started his career 45 years ago in the consumer electronics business working with his parents in their stereo store in Jefferson City. He retired as president of Car-Fi in Springfield, a mobile electronics business he started in 1986. He was the founder of “Springfield’s Best”, a group comprised of select area businesses that promote local enterprise. He also was one of the founding directors of the largest mobile electronics buying groups in America, M.E.S.A. (Mobile Electronics Specialists of America).

Rick was a long-time supporter of the arts in this area. Car-Fi has been a sponsor in numerous local music events such as the Blues Down Under Concert Series, Greater Ozarks Blues Festival, RockFest, 70’s Reunion and concerts by some great artists like the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and BB King, to name a few. Over a year ago Rick starting paying tribute with his produced TV spots to many local musician artists that have passed away. Music influenced his entire life and he helped pass it on the future generations of young musicians that cannot afford it on their own.