Debbie Rider

Debra (Debbie) Rider was born in St. Augustine, Florida. Her passion for music and versatility as a vocalist began as she grew up listening to gospel radio on her aunt’s farm in Kentucky, then singing along to Diana Ross & The Supremes, living in the Washington, D.C. area. High school introduced her to classical music and choir where she won top honors as an operatic soloist. 

A 2010 graduate of University of North Florida's prestigious jazz studies program, Debra's career then took her to become an award-winning jingles singer, character voice actor, a backing vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd (1989-1992), a merit-award winning songwriter for Unisong International for her song "Charlotte", and to become a Savannah's International vocal competition quarterfinalist. Debra sang Janis Joplin tunes with Sam Andrew of Big Brother and The Holding Company, opened for Boots Randolph and Marcia Ball, and was a featured vocalist with the Chris Riddle Orchestra, the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival, and the Amelia Island Jazz Festival. She has performed at Alhambra Theatre & Dining with several nationally renowned tribute artists, as well as organizations like the Jacksonville Symphony chartered non-profit body and Soul - The Art of Healing. 

Her talent and versatility has kept her in demand as a vocalist throughout the southeastern USA music scene. In 2018, she has put together some of the best area musicians to produce her own tribute, selling out every show, with her 7-piece band, Get Closer! A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt.