Ricky has been the Texas State Fiddle Champion twice, a World Series of Fiddling Champion, first runner-up for the Grand Nationals Championship and a two-time Grammy winner. On the recommendation from Johnny Gimble, Turpin came to New Braunfels in 1988 to play with Clay Blaker and the Texas Honky-Tonk Band.  After two years with Blaker, Turpin joined Johnny Bush for a year and a half. Next, Ricky went to work for Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel band. Larry Franklin had recommended Ricky to be his replacement.
On the tribute album for Bob Wills, Ricky recorded with some of the ex-Texas Playboys like Johnny Gimble, Herb Remington, and Eldon Shamblin, and other celebrities like Huey Lewis, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Chet Atkins, Marty Stewart, Lyle Lovett, Suzy Bogus, Riders In The Sky, and Willie Nelson. With all his many awards and accomplishments he still remains passionate about the old time fiddle style itself.

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